The Old Testament provides many details about the life of a man named Jedidiah, but we probably do not readily recall his name.
His father was a brave and faithful warrior, while his mother was unquestionably beautiful. He ultimately had many brothers and sisters, but became the heir to much of his father’s estate. He grew up in a home where God was always present but also filled with turmoil, strife, and shame. Do you remember Jedidiah?
When he was about 20 years old, he became the king of God’s people and reigned for 40 years. Like many kings, he started as faithful to God but eventually chose a path of sin. God spoke to him directly, at least once in a dream, and blessed him with incredible wealth. He was wise and shrewd in many ways but also weak in the face of temptation. He married several times and had at least three children before his death at the approximate age of sixty. Do you remember Jedidiah?
While much of his life, accomplishments, and even spiritual failures are detailed for us in scripture, Jedidiah may not be a name we easily recall. His other name, one we surely remember, can be found in 2 Samuel 12:24-25.
Matt Langfield