2 Chronicles 27:7

Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Jotham {H3147}, and all his wars {H4421}, and his ways {H1870}, lo, they are written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478} and Judah {H3063}.

Other activities of Yotam, all his wars and his ways [of doing things] are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el and Y'hudah.

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.

Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 27:7 serves as a concise concluding statement for the reign of King Jotham of Judah, directing the reader to more extensive historical records beyond the scope of this biblical account.

Context

This verse marks the end of the Chronicler's summary of King Jotham's reign, which lasted 16 years (c. 750-735 BC). Jotham, the son of King Uzziah, is portrayed as a righteous king who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 27:2), though he failed to remove the high places where people worshipped. The preceding verses in 2 Chronicles 27 highlight his military victories, particularly against the Ammonites, and his significant building projects, such as strengthening the wall of Ophel (2 Chronicles 27:3). This concluding verse is a common literary device in the books of Kings and Chronicles, indicating that the biblical author is providing a summary and referring to other, more detailed historical sources for a full account of the king's "acts" and "wars."

Key Themes

  • Historicity of Scripture: The explicit reference to "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" underscores the biblical narrative's foundation in actual historical records. The Chronicler, much like the authors of Kings, consistently cited these larger, comprehensive historical works (which are now lost to us) as their sources. This practice emphasizes that the biblical accounts were not mythical tales but were derived from documented history, reinforcing the Bible's trustworthiness and historical grounding.
  • Divine Preservation of History: While the specific "books of the kings" mentioned here are not extant today, their citation within the Bible suggests God's meticulous oversight of human history and the preservation of truth, even if through different channels over time. It points to a broader, divinely-guided record-keeping.
  • Concise Summarization: The Bible often provides theological and moral summaries of lengthy reigns or events, focusing on what is most significant from God's perspective rather than exhaustive historical detail. This verse exemplifies the Chronicler's method of presenting key highlights and then directing readers to more comprehensive annals for the "rest of the acts" of a king.

Linguistic Insights

The archaic English interjection "lo," found in the KJV, is derived from the Hebrew particle hinneh (Χ”Φ΄Χ Φ΅ΦΌΧ”), which serves to draw attention to what follows, often translated as "behold" or "indeed." In this context, "lo, they are written" emphasizes the certainty and documented nature of Jotham's full historical record, implying that these accounts were readily accessible to the Chronicler's original audience. The phrase "written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" signifies a formal, recognized historical compilation, not merely informal notes, highlighting the authoritative nature of the source material.

Cross-References & Connections

The reign of Jotham is also paralleled in the book of Kings, specifically in 2 Kings 15:32-38, which offers a similar, though slightly different, summary. The "book of the kings of Israel and Judah" is a collective term for the historical archives frequently cited throughout both 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles (e.g., 1 Kings 14:19, 1 Kings 14:29). These consistent references across different biblical books solidify the biblical narrative's claim to historical accuracy and its reliance on existing records of the time, providing a robust framework for understanding ancient Israel's history.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of history and reliable documentation. It encourages us to appreciate that the biblical narrative is not a collection of fables or myths but is deeply rooted in real events and historical records, even if those original source documents are no longer available to us. For believers, it reinforces the trustworthiness of God's Word, demonstrating that God works through real people in real historical contexts. It also teaches us the value of summarizing and discerning what is most important, while acknowledging that there is always more to the story than what is presented in a concise account, inviting deeper study and reflection on God's comprehensive plan throughout history.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 15:36

    Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • 2 Chronicles 32:32

    Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they [are] written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, [and] in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:33

    And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:22

    Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:23

    So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:34

    Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who [is] mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
← Back