"the year that the king died"

That is how Isaiah introduces his life-changing experience at the temple in his 6th chapter.

Question: Why did he not say "in the year Jotham took over as king?" According to Isaiah 1:1, that is exactly the same year, right? What is it about the "death" of a beloved king who reigned 52 years and pleased the Lord (says both Kings and Chronicles) that made Isaiah say, "I remember when I met God in the temple....it was when the great king Uzziah died?"

I suppose it is because to have an appreciation for the very next phrase of this same verse, Isaiah had to feel some sort of loss. Maybe it's the other way around. Maybe it was that Isaiah was feeling so much loss that only a vision of God would do.

How does it sound in your life to say..."When something new began, I saw the Lord on HIs throne?" That is not nearly as life-changing or emphatic or comforting as "In the year of the death of a man who was dearly loved, I saw the Lord on His throne, high and lifted up."

What a loss! Who can replace Uzziah on his throne? Who can fill in the gap he left behind? Oh..."I see"..."I see the Lord on His throne, high and lifted up."