2 Chronicles 27

Jotham Reigns in Judah

1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerushah ^[a] daughter of Zadok. ¹

2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah ^[b] had done. In addition, he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people still behaved corruptly.

3 Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he worked extensively on the wall at the hill of Ophel.

4 He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.

5 Jotham waged war against the king of the Ammonites and defeated them, and that year they gave him a hundred talents of silver, ^[c] ten thousand cors of wheat, ^[d] and ten thousand cors of barley. ^[e] They paid him the same in the second and third years.

6 So Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.

7 As for the rest of the acts of Jotham, along with all his wars and his ways, they are indeed 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 in Jerusalem sixteen years.

9 And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

Jotham's reign in Judah.

- The people did corruptly. Perhaps Jotham was wanting towards the reformation of the land. Men may be very good, and yet not have courage and zeal to do what they might. It certainly casts blame upon the people. Jotham prospered, and became mighty. The more stedfast we are in religion, the more mighty we are, both to resist evil, and to do good. The Lord often removes wise and pious rulers, and sends others, whose follies and vices punish a people that valued not their mercies.

Cross References

• 1. (2 Kings 15:32–38)

Footnotes

• [a]. Jerushah is a variant of Jerusha; see 2 Kings 15:33.
• [b]. Uzziah is also called Azariah; see 2 Kings 14:21.
• [c]. 100 talents is approximately 3.77 tons or 3.42 metric tons of silver.
• [d]. 10,000 cors is approximately 62,400 bushels or 2.2 million liters (probably about 1,920 tons or 1,740 metric tons of wheat).
• [e]. 10,000 cors is approximately 62,400 bushels or 2.2 million liters (probably about 1,450 tons or 1,315 metric tons of barley).

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 27

This chapter treats of the reign of Jotham, which was a good one, 2Ch 27:1,2, of his buildings and wars, 2Ch 27:3-6, and of his death and burial, 2Ch 27:7-9.