2 Chronicles27

Jotham began his sixteen-year reign over Judah at age twenty-five, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD, though the people remained corrupt. He undertook significant building projects, including the high gate of the temple and fortifications throughout the land. Jotham also successfully warred against the Ammonites, who paid him substantial tribute for three years, and he became mighty because he prepared his ways before God.

Jotham Reigns Righteously

1
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
2
He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done: however he didn’t enter into the LORD’s temple. The people still did corruptly. ​

Jotham's Building and Military Success

3
He built the upper gate of the LORD’s house, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. ​
4
Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
5
He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. The children of Ammon gave that much to him in the second year also, and in the third. ​
6
So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God. ​

Conclusion of Jotham’s Reign

7
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.
8
He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
9
Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place. ​

Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 27

Verse 2

Jotham is assessed positively, succeeding his father Uzziah but avoiding Uzziah’s sin of presumptuous entry into the temple (26:16-21). The note that 'the people did yet corruptly' highlights the limits of royal influence over popular piety, often a concern for the Chronicler.

Verse 3

The high gate of the house of the LORD and the fortifications on the wall of Ophel (a fortified area south of the Temple Mount) signify Jotham’s commitment both to the Temple and the defense of Jerusalem.

Verse 5

Jotham’s successful military campaign against the Ammonites resulted in a massive annual tribute, demonstrating God's blessing and establishing Judah's strong regional position during his reign.

Verse 6

This verse provides the theological summary of Jotham's success. The Chronicler attributes the king's growing strength ('became mighty') directly to his commitment to following the ways of the LORD, reinforcing the theme of immediate divine reward for obedience.

Verse 9

The burial in the City of David signifies that Jotham was considered a legitimate and righteous king, unlike his father Uzziah, who was buried separately due to his leprosy (26:23).

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