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. 2 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.
3 Jotham[a] constructed the Upper Gate of the Lord’s Temple and did extensive work on the wall of Ophel.[b] 4 He also built cities in the hill country of Judah, along with fortresses and guard towers in the forests. 5 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. 6 Jotham grew in power because he had determined to live his life in the presence of the Lord his God. 7 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. 8 He started his reign at the age of 25 years and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. 9 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
- 2 Chronicles 27:3 Lit. He
- 2 Chronicles 27:3 I.e. a ridge of hills in Jerusalem fortified for defense of the city
- 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
- 2 Chronicles 27:5 I.e. about 60,000 bushels; the kor was a dry measure equal to about six bushels
- 2 Chronicles 27:5 The Heb. lacks kors