2 Kings 15:38Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
The setting
Jerusalem, Israel ~735 BC. The royal burial chambers in the City of David. King Jotham has died after a 16-year reign, and the kingdom prepares for transition to his son Ahaz.
The emotion here: solemn duty recording the end of an era
The original word
shākab (שָׁכַב) — to lie down, euphemism for death meaning peaceful rest
Why it matters
The City of David burial site was discovered by archaeologists in 1967, containing royal tombs from this exact period
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Kings 15:38
This formulaic phrase 'slept with his fathers' was only used for kings who died naturally, not those killed in battle
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just boring royal record-keeping, but the author is deliberately highlighting that good King Jotham died peacefully while evil is about to take the throne with Ahaz.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Kings 15:38
Bible Genome reading
2 Kings 15:38 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Kings 15:38 comes from the book of 2 Kings, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include death, succession. Notable phrases: slept with his fathers.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 2 Kings 15:38 mean to you, today?
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