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Jotham Succeeds Uzziah(A)

27 Jotham was 25 years old when he began his reign, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother was Zadok’s daughter Jerusha. He practiced what the Lord considered to be right, just as his father Uzziah had done, even though he did not enter the Temple. Nevertheless, the people continued acting corruptly.

Jotham[a] constructed the Upper Gate of the Lord’s Temple and did extensive work on the wall of Ophel.[b] He also built cities in the hill country of Judah, along with fortresses and guard towers in the forests. He launched a military excursion against the king of the Ammonites and defeated him. As a result, that year the Ammonites paid 100 talents[c] of silver in tribute, as well as 10,000 kors[d] of wheat and 10,000 kors[e] of barley. The Ammonites continued to pay this same amount in tribute over the following two years. Jotham grew in power because he had determined to live his life in the presence of the Lord his God. The rest of the accomplishments of Jotham’s reign, including all of his military exploits and campaigns, are recorded in the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. He started his reign at the age of 25 years and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. Then Jotham died, as had his fathers, and he was buried in the City of David. His son Ahaz became king in his place.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 27:3 Lit. He
  2. 2 Chronicles 27:3 I.e. a ridge of hills in Jerusalem fortified for defense of the city
  3. 2 Chronicles 27:5 I.e. about 7,500 pounds, if this talent weighed about 75 pounds; but Babylonian era talents are known to have weighed as much as 130 pounds
  4. 2 Chronicles 27:5 I.e. about 60,000 bushels; the kor was a dry measure equal to about six bushels
  5. 2 Chronicles 27:5 The Heb. lacks kors