Judah’s King Jotham

27 Jotham was 25 years old(A) when he became king and reigned 16 years in Jerusalem.(B) His mother’s name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok. He did what was right in the Lord’s sight as his father Uzziah had done. In addition, he didn’t enter the Lord’s sanctuary,(C) but the people still behaved corruptly.

Jotham built the Upper Gate of the Lord’s temple, and he built extensively on the wall of Ophel.(D) He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.(E) He waged war against the king of the Ammonites. He overpowered the Ammonites, and that year they gave him 7,500 pounds[a] of silver, 50,000 bushels[b] of wheat, and 50,000 bushels[c] of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years. So Jotham strengthened himself because he did not waver in obeying[d] the Lord his God.(F)

As for the rest of the events(G) of Jotham’s reign, along with all his wars and his ways, note that they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. He was 25 years old when he became king and reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Ahaz became king in his place.


  1. 2 Chronicles 27:5 Lit 100 talents
  2. 2 Chronicles 27:5 Lit 10,000 cors
  3. 2 Chronicles 27:5 Lit 10,000 cors
  4. 2 Chronicles 27:6 Lit he established his ways before

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