1 A son of twenty and five years `is' Jotham in his reigning, and sixteen years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother `is' Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel reigned hath Jotham son of Uzziah king of Judah. A son of twenty and five years was he in his reigning, and sixteen years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother `is' Jerusha daughter of Zadok, and he doth that which `is' right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that Uzziah his father did he hath done. Only, the high places have not turned aside -- yet are the people sacrificing and making perfume in high places; he hath built the high gate of the house of Jehovah. And the rest of the matters of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written on the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? In those days hath Jehovah begun to send against Judah Rezin king of Amram and Pekah son of Remaliah. And Jotham lieth with his fathers, and is buried with his fathers, in the city of David his father, and reign doth Ahaz his son in his stead.
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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 27 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 27
2Ch 27:1-4. Jotham, Reigning Well, Prospers.
1. Jotham was twenty and five years old—(See on 2Ki 15:32-35).
His mother's name … Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok—or descendant of the famous priest of that name [2Sa 8:17].
2. he did that which was right—The general rectitude of his government is described by representing it as conducted on the excellent principles which had guided the early part of his father's reign.
the people did yet corruptly—(See 2Ki 15:35); but the description here is more emphatic, that though Jotham did much to promote the good of his kingdom and aimed at a thorough reformation in religion, the widespread and inveterate wickedness of the people frustrated all his laudable efforts.
3. He built the high gate of the house of the Lord—situated on the north—that portion of the temple hill which was high compared with the southern part—hence "the higher," or upper gate (see on 2Ki 15:35). He built, that is, repaired or embellished.
and on the wall of Ophel—Hebrew, "the Ophel," that is, the mound, or eminence on the southeastern slope of the temple mount, a ridge lying between the valleys Kedron and Tyropœon, called "the lower city" [Josephus]. He
built much—having the same desire as his father to secure the defense of Jerusalem in every direction.
4. in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers—that is, in the elevated and wooded spots where fortified cities could not be placed, he erected castles and towers.
2Ch 27:5-9. He Subdues the Ammonites.
5. He fought also with the king of the Ammonites—This invasion he not only repelled, but, pursuing the Ammonites into their own territory, he imposed on them a yearly tribute, which, for two years, they paid. But when Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, combined to attack the kingdom of Judah, they took the opportunity of revolting, and Jotham was too distracted by other matters to attempt the reconquest (see on 2Ki 15:37).