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?

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Jotham {H3147}, and all that he did {H6213}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}?

Other activities of Yotam and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.

As for the rest of the acts of Jotham, along with his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

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?

Commentary

Context

This verse, 2 Kings 15:36, serves as a concluding statement for the reign of King Jotham of Judah, a standard formula used throughout the Books of Kings. Jotham reigned for 16 years in Jerusalem, beginning in the second year of Pekah king of Israel (2 Kings 15:32). He was generally considered a righteous king, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, though he did not remove the high places where people still offered sacrifices (2 Kings 15:34). This verse indicates that the biblical author is drawing from, and directing readers to, more extensive historical records of the Israelite monarchy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Historical Verifiability: The recurring phrase, "Now the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" highlights the historical basis of the biblical narrative. It points to official state annals or court records that were accessible to the original audience, reinforcing the factual claims of the text.
  • Divine Record-Keeping: While penned by human scribes, the existence of these detailed records suggests God's oversight in the preservation of history, ensuring that key events and the reigns of kings were meticulously documented. This underscores the providential nature of how biblical history was compiled.
  • Selectivity of Scripture: The Bible, though inspired and authoritative, does not aim to be an exhaustive historical encyclopedia. It includes what is necessary for theological and moral instruction, guiding readers to other sources for more detailed accounts of political or administrative affairs. This formula acknowledges that more information exists without diminishing the completeness of the scriptural message for its intended purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (Hebrew: sepher divrei hayyamim le-malkhei Yehudah) refers to the official annals or daily records kept by the royal court scribes. It is important to note that this is distinct from the canonical Book of Chronicles in the Bible, although the biblical Book of Chronicles likely drew from these very state records, among other sources. The term "chronicles" here simply means "records of the days" or "annals," emphasizing a continuous, day-by-day account of events during a king's reign.

Related Scriptures

This concluding formula is a common literary device found throughout 1 and 2 Kings. For example, similar statements are made at the end of the reigns of other Judahite kings, such as King Ahaz in 2 Kings 16:19 and King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:20. For a more detailed account of Jotham's reign, readers are directed to 2 Chronicles chapter 27, which provides additional insights into his building projects and military endeavors.

Practical Application

For a modern audience, this verse, though seemingly brief, offers valuable lessons:

  • Trustworthiness of Scripture: The Bible's consistent appeal to external, verifiable records reinforces its claim to be a historically grounded document, not just a collection of myths. This encourages confidence in the biblical narrative.
  • Importance of History: God values history and its accurate recording. This reminds us of the importance of understanding the past, learning from the actions of those who came before us, and preserving truth for future generations.
  • God's Sovereignty in Detail: Even in the seemingly mundane administrative details of a king's reign, God's hand is evident in the preservation of records that contribute to the larger story of redemption. It highlights God's meticulous care over all aspects of human history, from grand events to the "rest of the acts."
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

  • 2 Kings 15:6

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

  • 2 Kings 15:7

    So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 27:4

    Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.

  • 2 Chronicles 27:9

    And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
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