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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 27:7 serves as the formal administrative conclusion to the sixteen-year reign of King Jotham of Judah, employing a standard formula used by the Chronicler to signify the completion of his concise account. This verse directs the reader to more extensive and detailed historical records—specifically "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah"—for a comprehensive understanding of Jotham's remaining actions, military campaigns, and overall conduct, thereby underscoring the biblical narrative's rootedness in documented history and its selective, theologically driven presentation.
Context
Literary Context
This verse provides the formal literary conclusion to the Chronicler's summary of Jotham's reign, immediately following a positive assessment of his character and accomplishments. Jotham is introduced in 2 Chronicles 27:1 as the son of Uzziah, succeeding his father, who had been afflicted with leprosy. The preceding verses, 2 Chronicles 27:2-6, highlight Jotham's righteous walk before the Lord, though he did not remove the high places. His reign was marked by successful military campaigns against the Ammonites and significant building projects, including strengthening the wall of Ophel. The concluding formula in 2 Chronicles 27:7 is a common literary device found throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, signaling that the biblical author has presented a theologically focused and morally instructive summary, while referring the reader to external, more exhaustive historical sources for further details. This practice serves both to authenticate the biblical account and to maintain its concentrated theological agenda.
Historical & Cultural Context
King Jotham reigned over Judah from approximately 750 to 735 BC, a period characterized by the escalating dominance of the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the ancient Near East. While Judah experienced relative stability and prosperity during Jotham's rule, the geopolitical landscape was rapidly shifting, with Assyria's rising power posing an imminent and formidable threat to both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The explicit mention of "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" reflects the widespread ancient Near Eastern practice of maintaining official royal annals or chronicles. Kings typically employed scribes who meticulously recorded their deeds, military engagements, building initiatives, and administrative actions. These records functioned as official state archives, providing detailed historical accounts for posterity and often serving to legitimize the monarch's rule. The Chronicler, writing centuries later, would have had access to such compilations, or perhaps later editions or summaries thereof, utilizing them as foundational source material for his divinely inspired historical narrative. This practice underscores the profound historical grounding of the biblical narrative, even as it presents a distinct theological interpretation of events.
Key Themes
The primary theme underscored by 2 Chronicles 27:7 is the historicity and reliability of Scripture. By explicitly referencing external historical records, the Chronicler emphasizes that his account is not a mythical narrative but is grounded in verifiable historical documentation, thereby reinforcing the trustworthiness of God's Word. This practice aligns with the biblical emphasis on God's active involvement in real-world events, as seen in passages like Luke 1:1-4. Another significant theme is divine preservation of history. While the specific "book of the kings" cited here is not extant today, its mention within the inspired text suggests God's meticulous oversight of human history and the preservation of truth, even if through different channels or by guiding the selection and compilation of what was necessary for His revealed Word. This echoes the broader theme of God's sovereign control over all knowledge and its dissemination, as seen in Psalm 33:11. Finally, the verse exemplifies the Bible's method of concise summarization with a theological focus. The biblical narrative often provides a selective account of events, prioritizing their spiritual and moral implications over exhaustive historical detail. This verse demonstrates the Chronicler's intent to present the essential theological narrative of Jotham's reign, while acknowledging that a more comprehensive historical record existed, inviting readers to trust the divine author's wisdom in what He chose to reveal, much like the selective nature of the Gospel accounts in John 20:30-31.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This Hebrew term (דָבָר) literally means "word" or "matter," but in this context, it broadly encompasses the "deeds," "events," or "chronicles" of Jotham's reign. It signifies his entire public life as king, including his administrative decisions, judicial rulings, and significant occurrences. The use of this term indicates that the referenced "book of the kings" contained a full and detailed account of his royal activities, extending beyond the highlights presented in 2 Chronicles.
This word (דֶּרֶךְ) literally means "road" or "path," but figuratively refers to a "course of life" or "mode of action." In the context of a king, "his ways" denotes his general conduct, character, policies, and the manner in which he governed. This term suggests that the external record provided a comprehensive overview of Jotham's personal and administrative integrity, complementing the specific "acts" and "wars."
This primitive root (כָּתַב) means "to grave," and by implication, "to write," "describe," "inscribe," or "prescribe." Its use here emphasizes the formal, permanent, and documented nature of the records concerning Jotham's reign. It assures the reader that these details were not merely oral traditions but were formally recorded and preserved in a tangible, accessible form, lending authority and verifiability to the Chronicler's reference.
Verse Breakdown
"Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways"
This opening clause functions as a literary transition, signaling that the Chronicler is concluding his summary of Jotham's reign. "The rest of the acts" (literally, "the remainder of the words/matters") indicates that the biblical account has been selective, focusing on key theological and moral aspects. "All his wars" specifically highlights military engagements, suggesting that the external source contained detailed accounts of conflicts not elaborated upon in 2 Chronicles. "And his ways" is a broader term encompassing his general conduct, character, and administrative policies, implying a comprehensive record of his life as king.
"lo, they [are] written"
The emphatic "lo" (an archaic English interjection derived from the Hebrew particle hinneh, meaning "behold" or "indeed") draws the reader's attention to the certainty and permanence of these records. The passive voice "they are written" emphasizes that these details are not lost or forgotten but formally recorded and preserved in a tangible, accessible form. This statement serves to validate the biblical narrative by pointing to its historical foundation and the availability of further corroborating evidence for those who might seek it.
"in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah"
This specifies the location and nature of the more extensive historical information. It refers to a known, authoritative compilation of royal annals. The consistent reference to such a "book of the kings" throughout the biblical historical books reinforces the idea that the biblical authors were not inventing narratives but drawing upon and interpreting existing historical records, guided by divine inspiration, to convey God's redemptive purposes.
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Colophon (or a concluding formula), a literary device common in ancient Near Eastern texts where an author or scribe appends a statement at the end of a work or section, often providing information about the completion of the text or referring to other sources. Here, it functions as a formal closing statement for Jotham's reign, directing the reader to external, more comprehensive historical records. This device lends an air of historical authenticity and thoroughness to the biblical account, assuring the audience of the narrative's groundedness in verifiable facts. Additionally, there is an element of Metonymy in "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah," where the "book" stands in for the entire body of historical knowledge or the official royal annals concerning the kings, rather than a single physical volume. The archaic interjection "lo" (from Hebrew hinneh) also acts as a Literary Interjection, serving to draw immediate and emphatic attention to the declaration that follows, highlighting the certainty and documented nature of the information being presented.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This seemingly administrative verse carries significant theological weight, affirming the historical grounding of God's redemptive work. It underscores that God acts within real time and space, engaging with actual human history, not merely mythical narratives. The Chronicler's consistent reference to external historical documents reinforces the Bible's claim to be a reliable record of God's interaction with humanity, demonstrating that the divine narrative is woven into the fabric of verifiable events. This practice also speaks to God's meticulous oversight of history, ensuring that what is essential for His purposes is recorded and preserved, whether within the inspired canon or in supplementary historical archives. It invites believers to trust in the concrete reality of God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign orchestration of all events, past, present, and future, finding comfort and assurance in His providential hand over all of creation and its unfolding story.
Reflection and Application
The reference to "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" in 2 Chronicles 27:7 serves as a profound reminder of the Bible's historical integrity and the meticulous way in which God's story unfolds within real-world events. It encourages us to approach Scripture not as a collection of fables or abstract philosophies, but as a divinely inspired account deeply rooted in verifiable history, even when the specific external sources are no longer extant. For believers, this reinforces the trustworthiness of God's Word, demonstrating that our faith is not based on abstract myths but on the concrete actions of God in history, through real people and real circumstances. It also teaches us the value of documentation and record-keeping, both in our personal lives and in the collective memory of the church, recognizing that preserving our stories can bear witness to God's faithfulness. While we may not have all the exhaustive details of Jotham's reign, God, in His wisdom, has preserved precisely what we need to know for our spiritual formation and understanding of His overarching plan. This verse invites us to marvel at the depth of God's historical engagement and to trust that He is sovereignly working out His purposes, even in the seemingly mundane administrative details of ancient kings, guiding all things toward His ultimate glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" mentioned in this verse?
"The book of the kings of Israel and Judah" was a comprehensive, official historical compilation or royal archive that served as a primary source for the biblical authors of Kings and Chronicles. It contained detailed accounts of the reigns of the kings of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, including their administrative acts, military campaigns, and significant events. While this specific "book" is not extant today, its consistent citation throughout the biblical historical books (e.g., 1 Kings 14:19; 2 Kings 1:18) indicates it was a well-known and authoritative historical record in ancient Israel. The biblical authors, under divine inspiration, selected and interpreted material from such sources to construct their theological narratives, focusing on God's redemptive purposes.
Why does the Bible refer to other books or records that are not part of the biblical canon?
The Bible refers to external historical records (like "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah," "the book of Jasher" in Joshua 10:13, or "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" in 1 Kings 14:29) for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it authenticates the biblical narrative by demonstrating its grounding in real history and verifiable events, not myths or fables. Secondly, it shows that the biblical authors were not inventing stories but were drawing upon and interpreting existing historical documentation, guided by the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, it highlights the selective nature of the biblical text; the inspired authors chose to include only what was necessary for God's redemptive purposes and theological instruction, leaving more exhaustive historical details to other sources. This practice underscores the Bible's focus on theological truth and moral lessons, rather than providing an exhaustive historical encyclopedia, affirming its divine purpose as a guide for faith and life.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While 2 Chronicles 27:7 is an administrative verse concerning the historical record of an earthly king, it subtly points to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, and the comprehensive, eternally significant record of His life and reign. Just as the acts of Jotham were meticulously documented in "the book of the kings," so too is the entire sweep of human history, culminating in the person and work of Christ, meticulously recorded in God's divine plan. Jesus is the true and perfect King, whose "acts"—His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, glorious resurrection, and ascension—are not merely written in earthly annals but are eternally inscribed as the central events of salvation history, fulfilling all that was foreshadowed in the Old Testament. The New Testament itself serves as the inspired, infallible record of these ultimate "acts" and "ways" of the Messiah, providing not just a summary but a sufficient revelation of God's redemptive purpose, unlike the "book of the kings" which merely supplemented the biblical account. Furthermore, the concept of a divine record foreshadows the ultimate "book of life" (Revelation 20:12), in which the names of those redeemed by the Lamb of God are eternally inscribed, testifying to the comprehensive and perfect administration of the King of kings, whose reign is everlasting (Daniel 7:14). All earthly kings and their records ultimately find their meaning and fulfillment in the sovereign reign of Christ, "the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13).