2 Chronicles 27

Judah's King Jotham

1 Jotham was 25 years old when he became king; he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem.^[a] His mother's name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.

2 He did what was right in the Lord's sight as his father Uzziah had done, except that he didn't enter the Lord's sanctuary.^[b] However, the people still behaved corruptly.

3 Jotham built the Upper Gate of the Lord's temple, and he built extensively on the wall of Ophel.^[c][d]

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

5 He waged war against the king of the Ammonites. He overpowered the Ammonites, and that year they gave him 7,500 pounds^[e] of silver, 50,000 bushels^[f] of wheat, and 50,000 bushels^[g] of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years.

6 So Jotham strengthened himself because he did not waver in obeying^[h] the Lord his God.^[i]

7 As for the rest of the events of Jotham's [reign], along with all his wars and his ways, note that they are written about in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

8 He was 25 years old when he became king; he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem.^[j]

9 Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Ahaz became king in his place.^[k]

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Ch 27:8
• [b]. 2 Ch 26:16-18
• [c]. 2 Ch 33:14; Neh 3:26-27
• [d]. 2 Kg 15:33-35
• [e]. Lit 100 talents
• [f]. Lit 10,000 cors
• [g]. Lit 10,000 cors
• [h]. Lit he established his ways before
• [i]. 2 Ch 1:1; 1 Sm 30:6
• [j]. 2 Ch 27:1
• [k]. 2 Kg 15:36-38

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.