2 Chronicles 27:2

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Second Chronicles 27:2 introduces King Jotham, the son of Uzziah, and provides a concise summary of his reign's spiritual standing. This verse highlights both his personal righteousness and the continued spiritual decline of the people of Judah under his leadership.

Context of 2 Chronicles 27:2

Jotham ascended to the throne of Judah after his father, Uzziah, who had been struck with leprosy for presumptuously entering the Temple to burn incense, an act reserved for priests. The preceding chapters detail Uzziah's long and largely prosperous reign, which began righteously but ended in transgression and divine judgment (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Verse 2 of chapter 27 specifically contrasts Jotham's conduct with his father's, noting a crucial difference in his respect for the sacred boundaries of the Temple, while also lamenting the persistent corruption among the people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Righteous Leadership: Jotham "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD," a commendation given to faithful kings who adhered to God's law. This phrase indicates his personal devotion and commitment to justice and righteousness according to the Mosaic covenant.
  • Learning from Mistakes: The phrase "according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD" is critical. Jotham emulated his father's initial period of faithfulness but wisely avoided Uzziah's fatal error of usurping the priestly role. This demonstrates the importance of discerning good examples from bad ones, even within one's own family or lineage.
  • Individual Piety vs. National Condition: Despite Jotham's personal integrity and righteous reign, the verse states, "And the people did yet corruptly." This highlights a significant challenge for even good leaders: a nation's spiritual direction is not solely determined by its king. The people maintained their idolatrous practices or moral decay, indicating a deep-seated spiritual problem that even a righteous monarch could not fully reverse on his own. This serves as a sober reminder that true national revival requires the repentance of the populace, not just righteous leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (Hebrew: yashar b'einei Yahweh) is a recurring evaluation in the books of Kings and Chronicles, signifying a king's general faithfulness to God's commandments. The addition "howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD" specifically emphasizes Jotham's conscious avoidance of the particular sin that brought judgment upon his father Uzziah, demonstrating a profound respect for divine boundaries and priestly authority.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Emulate the Good, Avoid the Bad: We are called to learn from the examples of those who have gone before us, adopting their virtues but consciously avoiding their failures. This applies to family, mentors, and historical figures.
  • Personal Responsibility: Jotham's righteousness shows that individual faithfulness is possible even when surrounded by widespread corruption. We are accountable for our own actions and choices before God, regardless of the prevailing culture.
  • The Limits of Leadership: While good leadership is vital, it cannot force spiritual transformation upon a people. True change comes from individual hearts turning to God, underscoring the importance of personal faith and corporate repentance.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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