Jotham Succeeds Uzziah in Judah
27 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. 2 He did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the Lord. But the people continued acting corruptly. 3 He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord, and he built extensively the wall of Ophel. 4 Moreover, he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and he built fortresses and towers on the wooded hills. 5 He fought also with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed over them so that the Ammonites gave him during that year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand [a]kors of wheat and ten thousand of barley. The Ammonites also paid him this amount in the second and in the third year. 6 So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. 7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, even all his wars and his acts, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 9 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Ahaz his son became king in his place.
One might think that with godly living should come long life on this earth… and then we come to King Jotham. He “did right in the sight of the Lord” and did not follow in the pride or rebellion of his father’s later years. Jotham continued in the success of Uzziah both in fortifying Judah and in battle.
But at the age of 41, he dies, with no mention of sickness, no reason given. He simply dies in what seems the prime of his life. We see this today also, when young people die, and we ask God why he would allow such a thing. We may never know, but one thing is certain. Each day is a gift from God, and we must make the most of it. There are no do-overs or mulligans, we must live every day as if it could be our last.
Live with intentionality, and strive each day to serve God, listen to His voice, and make the most of the gifts He has given us.