2 Chronicles 27:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 27:7 serves as the concluding administrative statement for the sixteen-year reign of King Jotham of Judah, a standard formula employed by the Chronicler to indicate the completion of his condensed 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, underscoring the biblical narrative's rootedness in documented history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the formal conclusion of the Chronicler's summary of Jotham's reign, immediately following a brief but positive assessment of his character and accomplishments. Jotham is introduced in [2 Chronicles 27:1](/2_chronicles/27-1 "2 Chronicles 27:1 - Jotham's Reign Begins") as the son of Uzziah, who became king after his father's leprosy. The preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 27:2-6](/2_chronicles/27-2 "2 Chronicles 27:2-6 - Jotham's Righteousness and Success")) highlight Jotham's righteousness in the sight of the Lord (though he did not remove the high places), his successful military campaigns against the Ammonites, and his significant building projects, notably strengthening the wall of Ophel. The concluding formula in [2 Chronicles 27:7](/2_chronicles/27-7 "2 Chronicles 27:7 - Conclusion of Jotham's Reign") is a common literary device found throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, signaling that the biblical author has presented a theological and moral summary and is referring the reader to external, more exhaustive historical sources for further details. This practice serves to both authenticate the biblical account and maintain its focused theological agenda.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jotham reigned over Judah from approximately 750 to 735 BC, a period of increasing Assyrian dominance in the Near East. While Judah enjoyed relative stability and prosperity under Jotham, the geopolitical landscape was shifting, with the rising power of Assyria posing an imminent threat to both Israel and Judah. The mention of "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of maintaining official royal annals or chronicles. Kings typically had scribes who meticulously recorded their deeds, wars, building projects, and administrative actions. These records served as official state archives, providing a detailed historical account for future generations and often legitimizing the monarch's rule. The Chronicler, writing centuries later, would have had access to such compilations, or perhaps later editions thereof, using them as source material for his divinely inspired historical narrative. This practice underscores the historical grounding of the biblical narrative, even as it presents a theological interpretation of events.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme highlighted by [2 Chronicles 27:7](/2_chronicles/27-7 "2 Chronicles 27:7 - Conclusion of Jotham's Reign") is the **historicity and reliability of Scripture**. By explicitly referencing external historical records, the Chronicler emphasizes that his account is not mythical but grounded in verifiable historical documentation, reinforcing the trustworthiness of God's Word. 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. 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.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"lo" (Hebrew, _hinneh'_):** This archaic English interjection, derived from the Hebrew particle _hinneh_ (הִנֵּה), serves as an emphatic particle, drawing attention to what follows. Often translated as "behold," "indeed," or "surely," its use here emphasizes the certainty and documented nature of Jotham's full historical record. It is not merely a casual observation but a declarative statement affirming the existence and accessibility of these accounts to the Chronicler's original audience, lending authority to the reference.
* **"acts" (Hebrew, _divrey'_):** The Hebrew term _divrey_ (דִּבְרֵי) literally means "words" or "matters," but in this context, it refers to the "deeds," "events," or "chronicles" of Jotham's reign. It encompasses his entire public life as king, including his administrative decisions, judicial rulings, and significant occurrences. This broad term indicates that the referenced "book of the kings" contained a full and detailed account of his royal activities, beyond the highlights presented in 2 Chronicles.
* **"book of the kings of Israel and Judah" (Hebrew, _sefer malkhey Yisrael v'Yehudah'_):** This phrase refers to a formal, recognized historical compilation or royal archive. It signifies not merely informal notes but an authoritative, comprehensive historical record that was likely a primary source for the Chronicler. The combined reference to "Israel and Judah" suggests a unified historical work that covered the reigns of kings from both northern and southern kingdoms, or perhaps a compilation of separate annals that were treated as a single body of historical literature by the Chronicler. Its consistent citation throughout Kings and Chronicles underscores its significance as a reliable historical foundation for the biblical narrative.

#### 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" (behold/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. 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. 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.

### 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.

* [2 Kings 15:32-38](/2_kings/15-32 "2 Kings 15:32-38 - Jotham's Reign in Kings")
* [1 Kings 14:19](/1_kings/14-19 "1 Kings 14:19 - Reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel")
* [Esther 6:1](/esther/6-1 "Esther 6:1 - The Book of Records, the Chronicles")

### 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, 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. While we may not have all the 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's reliance on external historical records strengthen your trust in its overall truthfulness and authority?**
* **What does God's preservation of historical details, even those outside the biblical canon, teach us about His sovereignty over human history?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Chronicler, discern what is most essential to record and remember in our own lives and communities, focusing on God's work?**

### FAQ

**What was "the book of the kings of Israel and Judah" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "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](/1_kings/14-19 "1 Kings 14:19 - Reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel"); [2 Kings 1:18](/2_kings/1-18 "2 Kings 1:18 - Reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel")) 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.

**Why does the Bible refer to other books or records that are not part of the biblical canon?**

Answer: 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](/joshua/10-13 "Joshua 10:13 - Reference to the Book of Jasher"), or "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" in [1 Kings 14:29](/1_kings/14-29 "1 Kings 14:29 - Reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah")) for several reasons. Firstly, it authenticates the biblical narrative by demonstrating its grounding in real history and verifiable events, not myths. Secondly, it shows that the biblical authors were not inventing stories but were drawing upon and interpreting existing historical documentation. 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.

### 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. 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](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Book of Life")), 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. 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](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega")).

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

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.