2 Chronicles27
New Living Translation
1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
2 Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. But the people continued in their corrupt ways.
3 Jotham rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple of the Lord. He also did extensive rebuilding on the wall at the hill of Ophel.
4 He built towns in the hill country of Judah and constructed fortresses and towers in the wooded areas.
5 Jotham went to war against the Ammonites and conquered them. Over the next three years he received from them an annual tribute of 7,500 pounds of silver, 50,000 bushels of wheat, and 50,000 bushels of barley.
6 King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.
7 The rest of the events of Jotham’s reign, including all his wars and other activities, are recorded in The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years.
9 When Jotham died, he was buried in the City of David. And his son Ahaz became the next king.
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2 Chronicles 27Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Chronicles 27. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Jotham's reign in Judah. (1-27).
vv1-27
The people did corruptly. Perhaps Jotham was wanting towards the reformation of the land. Men may be very good, and yet not have courage and zeal to do what they might. It certainly casts blame upon the people. Jotham prospered, and became mighty. The more stedfast we are in religion, the more mighty we are, both to resist evil, and to do good. The Lord often removes wise and pious rulers, and sends others, whose follies and vices punish a people that valued not their mercies.
Key Words
יוֹתָם: Jotham, the name of three Israelites
שָׁנֶה: a year (as a revolution of time)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם: Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
אֵם: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְרוּשָׁא: Jerusha or Jerushah, as Israelitess
בַּת: a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
צָדוֹק: Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites
Cross References
2 Chronicles 27The parallel account of Jotham's reign, including his age, mother, and building projects.
Supported by JFB
Jotham avoided his father Uzziah's error of entering the temple to burn incense.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel details regarding Jotham's building of the upper gate and the people's continued corrupt worship.
Supported by JFB
Later reference to the fortification of the wall of Ophel in Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Post-exilic reference identifying the location of Ophel and the water gate.
Supported by JFB
Jotham continued his father Uzziah's policy of building defensive towers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel principle: prosperity and might are tied to seeking and preparing one's way before God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Preparing/directing the heart and ways before God as the basis for spiritual strength.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The acts and ways of Jotham's successor, Ahaz, recorded in the same royal annals.
Jotham and his successor Ahaz listed in the messianic genealogy of Jesus Christ.