Jotham's reign uniquely combines military victory with temple construction, making him the only Judean king whose righteousness explicitly excludes entering the temple while still receiving divine blessing.
2 Chronicles 27
Jotham's Righteous Reign
1Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
2He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he didn’t enter into the LORD’s temple. The people still acted corruptly.
3He built the upper gate of the LORD’s house, and he built much on the wall of Ophel.
4Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.
5He also fought 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, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. The children of Ammon also gave that much to him in the second year, and in the third.
6So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.
7Now 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.
8He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
9Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
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Theme
Jotham's sixteen-year reign in Judah exemplifies righteous leadership that brings divine blessing and national prosperity. Following his father Uzziah's positive example while avoiding his temple transgression, Jotham undertakes significant building projects, defeats the Ammonites, and secures tribute payments. The chapter emphasizes that his success stems directly from ordering his ways before the LORD, though it notes the people's continued corruption despite their king's righteousness.
Context
This chapter continues the account of Judah's kings following Uzziah's mixed legacy, setting up the contrast with the upcoming reign of wicked King Ahaz.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Jotham's Righteous Character Introduction of Jotham's age, reign length, and righteous conduct following Uzziah's example while avoiding his temple error.
- 3-4 Building and Fortification Projects Jotham's construction of the temple's upper gate, wall improvements, and establishment of cities and fortresses throughout Judah.
- 5-6 Military Victory and Divine Blessing Successful campaign against Ammon resulting in three years of tribute payments, with his strength attributed to walking before God.
- 7-9 Reign Summary and Succession Concluding formula referencing additional records, restating reign details, and noting Ahaz's succession after Jotham's death.
Jotham's Righteous Reign
27:1–27:9 narrative narration peaceful
King Jotham reigns righteously like his father Uzziah, building projects and defeating enemies while ordering his ways before God. His brief but successful reign demonstrates the blessings of consistent faithfulness to the Lord.
person_contrast
Jotham's reign uniquely combines military victory with temple construction, making him the only Judean king whose righteousness explicitly excludes entering the temple while still receiving divine blessing.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
2 Chronicles 27:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 15:33 Lexical
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Je…
2 Kings 23:36 Lexical
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name…
2 Kings 15:2 Lexical
He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jeco…
2 Chronicles 26:3 Lexical
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was…
2 Kings 14:2 Lexical
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name wa…
2 Chronicles 27:3 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 33:14 Lexical
Now after this, he built an outer wall to David’s city on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at…
2 Chronicles 8:5 Lexical
Also he built Beth Horon the upper and Beth Horon the lower, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars;
2 Kings 15:35 Lexical
However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. He built…
2 Chronicles 32:5 Lexical
He took courage, built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, with the other wall outside…
2 Chronicles 27:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 19:6 Lexical
When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent one t…
Esther 3:9 Lexical
If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the…
2 Kings 5:5 Lexical
The king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” He departed, and took with him ten tal…
1 Chronicles 29:7 Lexical
and they gave for the service of God’s house of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, of silver ten thousa…
2 Kings 15:19 Lexical
Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might…
2 Chronicles 27:7 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 15:36 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings…
1 Kings 15:7 Lexical
The rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of J…
2 Chronicles 36:8 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they…
2 Chronicles 25:26 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, aren’t they written in the book of the kings of Judah and I…
2 Chronicles 28:26 Lexical
Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah a…
2 Chronicles 27:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 15:33 Lexical
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Je…
2 Kings 16:2 Lexical
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was…
2 Chronicles 28:1 Lexical
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was…
2 Chronicles 36:5 Lexical
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which…
2 Kings 23:36 Lexical
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name…
2 Chronicles 27:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 15:38 Lexical
Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in his father David’s city; and Ahaz his son reigned in h…
2 Chronicles 26:23 Lexical
So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the king…
2 Kings 15:7 Lexical
Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in David’s city; and Jotham his son reigned in his…
2 Chronicles 28:27 Lexical
Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem, because they didn’t bring him into the…
2 Kings 16:20 Lexical
Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David’s city; and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.
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v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
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