Chapter 27

1 Jotham reigning well prospereth. 5 He subdueth the Ammonites. 7 His reign. 9 Ahaz succeedeth him.

1. Jotham. This chapter, dealing with the reign of Jotham, is parallel to 2 Kings 15:32–38, but is more complete. Kings mentions one item not found in Chronicles, namely, the measures of Syria against Judah (2 Kings 15:37).

2. Into the temple. That is, Jotham did not illegally go into the Temple as his father had done before him (ch. 26:16–20).

Did yet corruptly. The writer of Kings further explains this item by stating that “the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places” (2 Kings 15:35). The utterances of the prophets of this period give evidence that there existed a deep-seated moral corruption that was sapping the strength of the nation (Isa. 1:4, 21–24; Hosea 4:1, 2; Micah 3:10–12).

3. High gate. Probably the gate in the northern wall of the Temple court (see Jer. 20:2; Eze. 9:2).

Ophel. The northern part of the southeastern hill of Jerusalem.

4. Built cities. Evidently for defense and protection against both Israel and Syria, and against the rising power of Assyria which, under Tiglath-pileser III (745–727), was at this time taking an active interest in the affairs of Western Asia.

Castles. That is, forts. Both Uzziah and Jotham displayed an unusual anxiety to fortify the country (see ch. 26:9–15). The prophets of the time denounced the popular confidence that was being placed in fortifications and human might (Hosea 8:14; Isa. 2:15; cf. 17:3, 4).

5. Ammonites. After the death of Uzziah the Ammonites probably refused the accustomed payment of tribute (ch. 26:8), but Jotham reduced them again to submission.

And the third. For three years Ammon continued to send tribute to Jotham and then presumably stopped. This is believed to have occurred at the time Ahaz took over the throne after Jotham’s sole reign (of probably only 4 years). The total length given for Jotham’s reign is 16 years (vs. 1, 8), but for the first period of it—quite likely for about 12 years—Jotham is believed to have been coregent with Uzziah. On Jotham’s 20 years versus his 16 years (2 Kings 15:30, 33), see Vol. II, p. 150.

6. Prepared his ways. Characteristically the chronicler points out the cause of prosperity—consecration to the Lord.

7. All his wars. In the latter part of his reign Jotham was forced to contend with encroachments from both Israel and Syria (2 Kings 15:37).

Ellen G. White comments

1, 2 PK 305