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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Chronicles 27:1–9. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
There is not much more related here concerning Jotham than we had before, Kg2 15:32, etc.
I.He reigned well.
He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; the course of his reign was good, and pleasing to God, whose favour he made his end, and his word his rule, and (which shows that he acted from a good principle) he prepared his ways before the Lord his God (Ch2 27:6), that is, he walked circumspectly and with much caution, contrived how to shun that which was evil and compass that which was good. He looked before him, and cast his affairs into such a posture and method as made the regular management of them the more easy. Or he established or fixed his ways before the Lord, that is, he walked steadily and constantly in the way of his duty, was uniform and resolute in it: not like some of those that went before him, who, though they had some good in them, lost their credit by their inconstancy and inconsistency with themselves. They had run well, but something hindered them. It was not so with Jotham. Two things are observed here in his character: - 1. What was amiss in his father he amended in himself (Ch2 27:2): He did according to all that his father did well and wisely; howbeit he would not imitate him in which he did amiss; for he entered not into the temple of the Lord to burn incense as his father did, but took warning by his fate not to dare so presumptuous a thing. Note, We must not imitate the best men, and those we have the greatest veneration for, any further than they did well; but, on the contrary, their falls, and the injurious consequences of them, must be warnings to us to walk the more circumspectly, that we stumble not at the same stone that they stumbled at. 2. What was amiss in his people he could not prevail to amend: The people did yet corruptly. Perhaps it reflects some blame upon him, that he was wanting in his part towards the reformation of the land. Men may be very good themselves, and yet not have courage and zeal to do what they might do towards the reforming of others. however it certainly reflects a great deal of blame upon the people, that they did not do what they might have done to improve the advantages of so good a reign: they had good instructions given them and a good example set before them, but they would not be reformed; so that even in the reign of their good kings, as well as in that of the bad ones, they were treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath; for they still did corruptly, and the founder melted in vain.
II.He prospered, and became truly reputable.
1.He built. He began with the gate of the house of the Lord, which he repaired, beautified, and raised. He then fortified the wall of Ophel, and built cities in the mountains of Judah (Ch2 27:3, Ch2 27:4), took all possible care for the fortifying of his country and the replenishing of it.
2.He conquered. He prevailed against the Ammonites, who had invaded Judah in Jehoshaphat's time, Ch2 20:1. He triumphed over them, and exacted great contributions from them, Ch2 27:5. He became mighty (Ch2 27:6) in wealth and power, and influence upon the neighbouring nations, who courted his friendship and feared his displeasure; and this he got by preparing his ways before the Lord his God. The more stedfast we are in religion the more mighty we are both for the resistance of that which is evil and for the performance of that which is good.
III.He finished his course too soon, but finished it with honour.
He had the unhappiness to die in the midst of his days; but, to balance that, the happiness not to out-live his reputation, as the last three of his predecessors did. He died when he was but forty-one years of age (Ch2 27:8); but his wars and his ways, his wars abroad and his ways at home, were so glorious that they were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel, as well as of the kings of Judah, Ch2 27:7. The last words of the chapter are the most melancholy, as they inform us that Ahaz his son, whose character, in all respects, was the reverse of his, reigned in his stead. When the wealth and power with which wise men have done good devolve upon fools, that will do hurt with them, it is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.
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Summary
Second Chronicles 27:2 introduces King Jotham of Judah, offering a concise yet profound evaluation of his reign. The verse commends Jotham for his personal righteousness, stating he "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD," thereby mirroring the positive aspects of his father Uzziah's rule. Crucially, it highlights Jotham's discerning obedience by noting he "entered not into the temple of the LORD," a direct and wise avoidance of Uzziah's fatal transgression. However, the verse concludes with the sobering observation that despite Jotham's integrity, "the people did yet corruptly," indicating a persistent spiritual decline within the nation.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the immediate introduction to King Jotham's reign, following the detailed account of his father Uzziah. The preceding chapter, 2 Chronicles 26, meticulously describes Uzziah's long and largely prosperous rule, which began with faithfulness but ended in divine judgment due to his arrogant usurpation of priestly duties by burning incense in the Temple. The Chronicler emphasizes Uzziah's transgression, detailing how "when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense" (2 Chronicles 26:16). This act resulted in Uzziah being struck with leprosy until the day of his death (2 Chronicles 26:19-21). Therefore, 2 Chronicles 27:2 directly contrasts Jotham's conduct with his father's, emphasizing Jotham's wise avoidance of Uzziah's specific sin, thereby establishing Jotham's character as one who learned from past mistakes. The verse also sets the stage for the brief summary of Jotham's reign in the remainder of the chapter before transitioning to the more detailed accounts of subsequent kings.
Historical & Cultural Context
Jotham reigned in Judah during the mid-8th century BC (c. 750-735 BC), a period marked by the growing geopolitical threat of the expanding Assyrian Empire, which would eventually dominate the region. Culturally and religiously, the Temple in Jerusalem stood as the spiritual and political epicenter of the nation. The distinction between the divinely ordained roles of king and priest was paramount and strictly enforced under the Mosaic Law. Kings were responsible for upholding the Law, administering justice, and ensuring proper worship, but direct participation in sacred priestly rituals, such as burning incense, was explicitly forbidden. Uzziah's leprosy served as a severe and public divine judgment for violating this sacred boundary, a lesson that would have been profoundly impactful and unforgettable for Jotham, the royal court, and the entire populace. The concluding phrase, "the people did yet corruptly," likely refers to the persistent idolatrous practices, moral decay, and a general lack of genuine commitment to the Mosaic covenant that plagued Judah, despite the king's personal piety and the recent divine judgment on Uzziah. This reflects the ongoing struggle against syncretism and apostasy that characterized much of Israelite history.
Key Themes
2 Chronicles 27:2 highlights several significant themes within the Chronicler's theological framework. Firstly, it underscores the importance of righteous leadership, as Jotham is commended for doing "that which was right in the sight of the LORD," a standard evaluation for faithful kings in the Deuteronomistic history and the Chronicler's account. This phrase consistently points to a king's adherence to God's covenant and opposition to idolatry. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of learning from the past and respecting divine boundaries. Jotham's deliberate avoidance of entering the Temple demonstrates a profound respect for the sacred distinction between royal and priestly roles and a clear understanding of the severe consequences of Uzziah's transgression (2 Chronicles 26:19). This shows a wisdom that transcends mere emulation of his father's good deeds. Finally, the verse introduces the poignant theme of the discrepancy between individual piety and national spiritual health. Despite Jotham's personal integrity and righteous example, the spiritual condition of the populace remained corrupt. This illustrates that a nation's true transformation requires more than just a righteous leader; it demands the genuine repentance and obedience of the people themselves, a theme echoed in prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament, such as those found in Jeremiah 3 and Isaiah 1.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term signifies moral rectitude, uprightness, and adherence to God's commandments. When applied to kings, as seen frequently in the books of Kings and Chronicles, it denotes a reign characterized by faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant, promotion of justice, and avoidance of idolatry. Jotham's actions were aligned with God's revealed will, indicating a reign pleasing to the divine standard.
This word implies decay, ruin, and moral or spiritual depravity. It often describes actions that violate God's covenant, leading to spiritual defilement and destruction. In this context, it suggests the people continued in idolatrous practices, social injustice, or other forms of disobedience, despite Jotham's righteous example and the recent divine judgment on Uzziah.
This primitive root means "to go or come" in a wide variety of applications, including "to enter." The KJV's "entered not" (Hebrew: lo' bôwʼ) highlights Jotham's deliberate and conscious decision to refrain from the specific act that brought judgment upon his father. This phrase underscores Jotham's respect for the sacred boundaries and the priestly office, demonstrating a clear lesson learned from Uzziah's prideful transgression and the severe consequences that followed.
Verse Breakdown
"And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD"
This is a standard commendation in the historical books of the Old Testament, signifying that Jotham's reign was generally in accordance with God's laws and expectations for a king of Judah. It indicates his personal devotion, commitment to justice, and adherence to the covenant, distinguishing him from unfaithful kings.
"according to all that his father Uzziah did"
This phrase connects Jotham's righteous conduct to the positive aspects of Uzziah's long and initially faithful reign. It suggests Jotham emulated the early period of Uzziah's rule, which was marked by seeking God and achieving prosperity, thereby acknowledging the good foundation laid by his predecessor.
"howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD"
This crucial clause provides a vital qualification and distinction. While Jotham followed Uzziah's good example, he wisely avoided Uzziah's specific and fatal error of presumptuously entering the Temple to burn incense, an act reserved exclusively for the priests. This shows Jotham's discernment, humility, and profound respect for divine boundaries and the sanctity of the priestly office, demonstrating a clear understanding of the consequences of Uzziah's pride.
"And the people did yet corruptly"
This final clause presents a stark and sobering contrast. Despite Jotham's personal righteousness, good leadership, and faithful example, the nation as a whole continued in spiritual and moral decline. This highlights the deep-seated nature of the people's sin and the limitations of even a righteous king to bring about widespread spiritual revival without genuine repentance and turning to God from the populace itself.
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs Juxtaposition to highlight key contrasts. Jotham's personal righteousness ("did that which was right") is sharply juxtaposed with the people's persistent corruption ("did yet corruptly"), underscoring the challenge of leadership in a spiritually declining nation. Furthermore, Jotham's discerning obedience ("entered not into the temple") is juxtaposed with his father Uzziah's transgression, emphasizing the crucial lesson learned from past failures and the importance of respecting divine boundaries. The use of Formulaic Language ("did that which was right in the sight of the LORD") connects Jotham's reign to a broader theological framework used by the Chronicler for evaluating kings based on their adherence to the covenant. This formula also serves as a direct Theological Statement, immediately conveying God's assessment of Jotham's character and rule. The phrase "howbeit he entered not" functions as a Qualifying Clause, providing a critical detail that distinguishes Jotham's righteousness from his father's ultimate downfall, thereby emphasizing Jotham's unique wisdom and obedience.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse powerfully illustrates the enduring tension between individual righteousness and corporate spiritual decline, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. Jotham's personal integrity is commendable, demonstrating that faithfulness to God is indeed possible even when surrounded by widespread corruption. His discerning obedience, specifically his avoidance of Uzziah's sin, highlights the profound importance of learning from the past, respecting divine boundaries, and exercising humility before God. However, the persistent corruption of the people underscores a profound theological truth: true spiritual transformation cannot be imposed solely by righteous leadership. It requires a genuine turning of hearts to God by the populace, emphasizing the principle of individual and corporate responsibility before God. This serves as a sober reminder that while God desires and uses righteous leaders, His ultimate call is for the repentance and obedience of all His people, a call that often went unheeded in Israel's history.
Reflection and Application
Jotham's story in 2 Chronicles 27:2 offers profound and practical lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls us to emulate Jotham's discerning wisdom: to diligently learn from the examples of those who have gone before us, embracing their virtues while consciously and humbly avoiding their failures. This applies to spiritual mentors, family members, and even biblical figures; we are responsible for our own choices and the integrity of our walk with God, regardless of the prevailing cultural or familial norms. Secondly, Jotham's personal righteousness in the face of national corruption challenges us to maintain our faith, moral convictions, and commitment to God's Word even when the surrounding society is in spiritual decline or actively opposes biblical values. Our ultimate accountability is to God, not to the prevailing trends or popular opinion. Finally, the verse reminds us of the inherent limits of human leadership. While good leaders are vital and can set a positive example, they cannot force genuine spiritual transformation upon a people. True revival and lasting change come from individual hearts turning to God in repentance and faith, underscoring the critical need for personal spiritual disciplines, fervent prayer, and corporate repentance within the community of faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" mean for a king?
This phrase is a recurring theological evaluation in the books of Kings and Chronicles. For a king, it signifies that his reign was generally characterized by adherence to the Mosaic covenant, promotion of justice and righteousness, and the avoidance of idolatry. It indicates a king who sought to honor God through his governance and personal conduct, rather than deviating into pagan practices, tyrannical rule, or the worship of other gods. Such a king would typically uphold the Temple worship and seek to lead the people in obedience to God's Law.
Why is Jotham's avoidance of the Temple so important, given his father's actions?
Jotham's refusal to enter the Temple, unlike his father Uzziah, is critically important because it demonstrates a profound respect for divine boundaries and the sanctity of the priestly office. Uzziah's act of burning incense in the Temple, which was reserved exclusively for the Levitical priests, was a direct violation of God's law and an act of prideful presumption. This transgression led to Uzziah being struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Jotham's conscious avoidance of this specific sin shows he learned from his father's tragic mistake, acknowledging the clear distinction between royal and priestly roles established by God. It highlights his humility and wisdom in not repeating a transgression that brought severe divine judgment.
How could the people remain corrupt despite having a righteous king like Jotham?
The continued corruption of the people, despite Jotham's personal righteousness, highlights a crucial spiritual principle: true national transformation is not merely a top-down phenomenon. While a righteous king can set a good example, promote justice, and encourage adherence to God's law, he cannot force genuine spiritual repentance or faith in the hearts of his subjects. The people's spiritual condition was a matter of their own choices and their collective failure to turn wholeheartedly to the LORD, demonstrating that even good leadership cannot substitute for individual and corporate spiritual renewal. This theme is often seen in prophetic books, where despite righteous kings like Josiah, the people's hearts remained hardened, as exemplified in Jeremiah's laments and the overall narrative of Judah's decline leading to exile.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jotham, though a righteous king who learned from his father's failings and honored divine boundaries, ultimately could not overcome the deep-seated corruption of his people. His reign, like those of many good kings in Judah, points to the inherent limitations of human leadership in bringing about ultimate spiritual renewal. This narrative foreshadows the need for a King who is not merely righteous in His own conduct, but who can also fundamentally transform the hearts of His people. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills this role. He is the ultimate righteous King, who "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22), never overstepping divine boundaries but perfectly fulfilling the Father's will. More profoundly, unlike Jotham, Jesus is not just a King, but also our High Priest, who "entered... into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24). Through His perfect sacrifice and intercession, He addresses the very "corruptly" of humanity, offering not just a righteous example, but the power to cleanse and transform us from within, making us a people who truly "do that which is right in the sight of the LORD" through His Spirit (Romans 8:4). Thus, Jotham's inability to fully redeem his people underscores our desperate need for Christ, the King-Priest who brings about a new covenant and a new heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34). He is the one who not only leads righteously but also empowers His people to live righteously.