2 Kings 15:34

KJV

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}: he did {H6213} according to all that his father {H1} Uzziah {H5818} had done {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was right from ADONAI's perspective, following the example of everything his father 'Uziyah had done.

Berean Standard Bible

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done.

American Standard Version

And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 15:34 provides a succinct and positive divine assessment of King Jotham of Judah, stating, "And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done." This verse introduces Jotham's sixteen-year reign with a commendation of his moral and spiritual integrity, indicating his adherence to God's law and linking his righteous conduct to the generally commendable rule of his father, Uzziah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the standard introductory regnal formula for Jotham, immediately following the account of his father Uzziah's long and largely successful reign, which ended tragically with leprosy (2 Kings 15:5). The formulaic language, "he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD," is a recurring evaluative statement throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, setting the spiritual tone for each monarch's rule. Jotham's brief introduction here is followed by a crucial caveat regarding the "high places" (2 Kings 15:35) and then details of his building projects and death (2 Kings 15:36-38), placing his reign within the broader narrative of Judah's kings, often marked by both faithfulness and compromise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jotham reigned in Judah during the latter half of the 8th century BCE, a period of increasing Assyrian dominance and pressure on the smaller nations of the Levant. He had already served as regent for his father, Uzziah, who was afflicted with leprosy for presumptuously entering the Temple to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). This regency likely prepared him for kingship. The phrase "according to all that his father Uzziah had done" refers to Uzziah's overall reign, which was characterized by significant military and economic prosperity and general faithfulness to Yahweh, particularly in its earlier stages (2 Kings 15:3; 2 Chronicles 26:1-15). The persistent issue of the "high places," mentioned in the subsequent verse (2 Kings 15:35), highlights a common cultural and religious syncretism where local altars, often dedicated to Yahweh but sometimes incorporating pagan elements, were used for worship outside the centralized Temple in Jerusalem, a practice consistently condemned by the Deuteronomic law.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Kings. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Assessment of Kingship**, where the ultimate judgment of a ruler is not based on human popularity or political success, but on their obedience and faithfulness to the Lord. Secondly, it highlights the **Filial Legacy and Influence**, demonstrating how the example of a parent or predecessor can shape a leader's conduct, for better or worse. Jotham's positive emulation of Uzziah's general righteousness is a key aspect. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the pervasive theme of **Spiritual Compromise**, as even "good" kings like Jotham and Uzziah often failed to fully eradicate the "high places," indicating a persistent challenge to pure Yahwistic worship throughout Judah's history, a challenge later addressed more fully by kings like [Hezekiah](/2_kings/18-4 "2 Kings 18:4 - Hezekiah Destroys the High Places") and [Josiah](/2_kings/23-8 "2 Kings 23:8 - Josiah Destroys the High Places").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"right" (Hebrew, יָשָׁר, _yashar'_):** This adjective signifies that which is straight, upright, just, or morally correct. In the context of the Davidic covenant and Mosaic Law, "doing what is right in the sight of the LORD" means adhering to God's commandments, upholding justice, and maintaining proper worship of Yahweh, in contrast to the idolatry and wickedness of many kings of Israel and Judah.
* **"in the sight of the LORD" (Hebrew, בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה, _b'einei Yahweh'_):** This phrase emphasizes that the ultimate arbiter of a king's conduct is God Himself. It signifies a divine, theological evaluation rather than a human or political one. The king's actions are judged by God's standards and perspective, highlighting divine sovereignty over human rule.
* **"according to all that his father Uzziah had done":** This phrase indicates continuity and emulation. While Uzziah's reign ended with a significant transgression (presumptuously offering incense), the phrase here refers to the overall character of his long and prosperous rule, which was largely righteous and successful. It suggests Jotham followed Uzziah's positive example in his policies and spiritual orientation, upholding the worship of Yahweh and avoiding the widespread idolatry seen in other reigns.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD":** This clause provides the primary divine assessment of Jotham's reign. It is a standard formula used to commend kings who generally adhered to the Mosaic Law, promoted the worship of Yahweh, and did not lead the nation into idolatry. This does not imply perfection, but rather a fundamental alignment with God's will and covenant requirements for a king of Judah.
* **"he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done":** This second clause specifies the nature of Jotham's righteousness by referencing his predecessor. It indicates that Jotham largely followed the pattern of his father Uzziah, whose reign was marked by strength, prosperity, and a general commitment to Yahweh, particularly in its earlier phases. This connection suggests a positive intergenerational spiritual legacy, even though Uzziah's reign concluded with a serious personal transgression and both kings failed to remove the "high places" (2 Kings 15:35).

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Formulaic Language**, a common literary device in the books of Kings and Chronicles, specifically the "regnal formula" used to introduce and evaluate each monarch. The phrase "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" is a recurring theological judgment, establishing a consistent standard for kingship. Furthermore, the verse uses **Comparison** by explicitly linking Jotham's actions to those of his father Uzziah. This comparison serves to commend Jotham by associating him with a generally successful and righteous reign, while also subtly hinting at the limitations of that legacy, particularly in light of the subsequent verse (2 Kings 15:35) which notes Jotham's failure to remove the high places, a compromise also present during Uzziah's time. This subtle **Foreshadowing** suggests that even "good" kings had their spiritual shortcomings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical emphasis on righteous leadership and the divine standard by which all human authority is ultimately judged. Jotham's commendation as one who "did right in the sight of the LORD" underscores that true success and legitimacy for a ruler, and indeed for any individual, are found in obedience and faithfulness to God's revealed will. It highlights the profound importance of a spiritual legacy, where the actions and character of one generation can significantly influence the next. While Jotham emulated his father's general righteousness, the broader narrative of Kings consistently reveals that even the best human efforts are often imperfect, requiring ongoing spiritual vigilance and reform. The persistent issue of the high places, even under righteous kings, illustrates the human tendency towards compromise and the need for a deeper, more complete purification of worship and life.

* [Deuteronomy 6:18](/deuteronomy/6-18 "Deuteronomy 6:18 - Doing What is Right in the Lord's Sight")
* [1 Kings 15:11](/1_kings/15-11 "1 Kings 15:11 - Asa's Righteous Reign")
* [Proverbs 20:7](/proverbs/20-7 "Proverbs 20:7 - The Righteous Walk of the Blameless")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The assessment of Jotham's reign in 2 Kings 15:34 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider whose "sight" truly matters in our daily lives and decisions. Are we primarily driven by human approval, societal norms, or the unwavering standard of God's righteousness? Jotham's example reminds us that integrity and obedience to God are the foundational elements of a life well-lived, regardless of our specific roles or influence. Furthermore, the verse highlights the powerful impact of generational spiritual legacies. We are called to both learn from the positive examples of those who have gone before us and to critically assess areas where even the most commendable figures fell short. Like Jotham, we may inherit good practices, but we must also be vigilant against inherited compromises, striving for a more complete and unreserved devotion to God in all areas of our lives, constantly seeking to align our actions and worship fully with His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we define "right" in our own lives, and whose "sight" are we primarily concerned with in our decisions and actions?**
* **What positive spiritual legacies have been passed down to us from family, mentors, or historical figures, and how can we honor and build upon them while discerning their limitations?**
* **Where might we, like Jotham, be compromising on areas of full obedience to God's will, and what steps can we take towards a more complete alignment with His desires for our lives and communities?**

### FAQ
**What does "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" truly mean for a king in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: This phrase is a theological verdict, meaning the king generally adhered to the Mosaic Law, promoted the worship of Yahweh, and did not lead the people into idolatry or apostasy. It indicates a king who upheld the covenant. However, it does not imply perfection. As seen with Jotham, and many other "good" kings, they often failed to remove the "high places" (2 Kings 15:35), which were local altars where people offered sacrifices, sometimes in a syncretistic manner, outside the centralized worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. Thus, while fundamentally righteous in their overall direction, these kings still had areas of spiritual compromise.

**How does Jotham's reign compare to his father Uzziah's, and what does this verse imply about their relationship?**

Answer: Jotham's reign largely mirrored Uzziah's, which was one of the longest and most prosperous in Judah's history, marked by general righteousness, military success, and significant building projects (2 Kings 15:3; 2 Chronicles 26:1-15). The verse implies a positive and influential relationship, with Jotham emulating his father's overall commitment to Yahweh and his effective governance. However, Uzziah's reign ended tragically with him being struck with leprosy for presumptuously entering the Temple to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). While Jotham continued the positive aspects, he also continued the spiritual compromise of not removing the high places, suggesting that even a good legacy can carry unaddressed spiritual issues.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The assessment of Jotham as one who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" points ultimately to Jesus Christ, the only perfectly righteous King. While Jotham, like all human kings, had his limitations and failures (such as not removing the high places, as noted in [2 Kings 15:35](/2_kings/15-35 "2 Kings 15:35 - Jotham Did Not Remove the High Places")), Jesus perfectly fulfilled all righteousness. He consistently did "that which was right in the sight of the LORD" because He Himself is God, living a life of absolute obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His perfect life and atoning sacrifice, Christ not only provides the ultimate standard of righteousness but also imputes His righteousness to those who believe in Him ([Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The lingering "high places" in Jotham's reign can be seen as a type of the persistent sin and spiritual compromise that plagues humanity; Christ, however, completely eradicates the power of sin through His victory, enabling believers to walk in newness of life and truly do what is pleasing in God's sight by the power of the Holy Spirit ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")). He is the King who perfectly fulfills the divine standard, establishing a kingdom of righteousness that knows no compromise or blemish ([Hebrews 1:8-9](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8-9 - Christ's Righteous Scepter")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 26:4

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

2 Chronicles 26:5

And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

2 Kings 15:3

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;

2 Kings 15:4

Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.

2 Chronicles 27:2

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.