2 Chronicles 27:2

KJV

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, according to all that his father {H1} Uzziah {H5818} did {H6213}: howbeit he entered {H935} not into the temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}. And the people {H5971} did yet corruptly {H7843}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was right from ADONAI's perspective, following the example of everything his father 'Uziyah had done, except that he did not enter the temple of ADONAI. Nevertheless, the people acted corruptly.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Uzziah had done: howbeit he entered not into the temple of Jehovah. And the people did yet corruptly.

Commentary

### 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](/2_chronicles/26 "2 Chronicles 26 - The Reign of King Uzziah"), 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](/2_chronicles/26-16 "2 Chronicles 26:16 - Uzziah's Pride and Transgression")). This act resulted in Uzziah being struck with leprosy until the day of his death ([2 Chronicles 26:19-21](/2_chronicles/26-19-21 "2 Chronicles 26:19-21 - Uzziah Struck with Leprosy")). Therefore, [2 Chronicles 27:2](/2_chronicles/27-2 "2 Chronicles 27:2 - Jotham's Righteous Reign and the People's Corruption") 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](/2_chronicles/27-2 "2 Chronicles 27:2 - Jotham's Righteous Reign and the People's Corruption") 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](/2_chronicles/26-19 "2 Chronicles 26:19 - Uzziah's Pride and Punishment")). 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](/jeremiah/3 "Jeremiah 3 - Israel's Apostasy and God's Call to Repentance") and [Isaiah 1](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Arraignment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Right (Hebrew, _yâshâr'_):** (H3477) 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.
* **Corruptly (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** (H7843) 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.
* **Entered (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** (H935) 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.

* [2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2_chronicles/26-16-21 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Transgression and Judgment")
* [2 Kings 22:2](/2_kings/22-2 "2 Kings 22:2 - Josiah's Righteous Reign and Covenant Renewal")
* [Jeremiah 3:7-10](/jeremiah/3-7-10 "Jeremiah 3:7-10 - Judah's Unfaithfulness Despite God's Patience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jotham's story in [2 Chronicles 27:2](/2_chronicles/27-2 "2 Chronicles 27:2 - Jotham's Righteous Reign and the People's Corruption") 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
* **How do I actively learn from the successes and failures of others, both in biblical narratives and in my own life and community?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to overstep boundaries, presume upon God's grace, or neglect divinely established roles, similar to Uzziah's sin?**
* **How can I maintain personal integrity and faithfulness to God when surrounded by a culture or environment that "does yet corruptly"?**
* **What is my role in fostering genuine spiritual transformation within my community or church, beyond simply relying on leadership?**

### FAQ
**What does "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" mean for a king?**

Answer: 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?**

Answer: 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](/2_chronicles/26-16-21 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Transgression and Judgment")). 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?**

Answer: 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](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon") 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](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")), 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](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Priesthood")). 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](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). 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](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promised")). He is the one who not only leads righteously but also empowers His people to live righteously.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 5:13

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

2 Kings 15:34

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

2 Kings 15:35

Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 26:4

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

Psalms 119:120

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

2 Chronicles 26:16

¶ But 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 26:21

And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, [being] a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son [was] over the king's house, judging the people of the land.