2 Kings 15:38
“Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in his father David’s city, and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.”
What does 2 Kings 15:38 mean?
When a biblical king "slept with his fathers," it meant he died and was buried in the royal tombs, continuing a chain of succession that connected each ruler to those who came before. Jotham was remembered as one of Judah's better kings, someone who strengthened the nation and remained faithful, so his proper burial honored that legacy. The verse shows how power passed directly to his son Ahaz, though history would reveal that Ahaz took a very different path than his father, making choices that hurt the nation spiritually. This simple statement of succession carries the weight of what was lost when a good king gave way to one who turned away from God's ways.