2 Chronicles 27:1-9
Jotham Grows Powerful
1Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
2And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done. In addition, he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people still behaved corruptly.
3Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he worked extensively on the wall at the hill of Ophel.
4He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests.
5Jotham waged war against the king of the Ammonites and defeated them, and that year they gave him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years.
6So Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.
7As for the rest of the acts of Jotham, along with all his wars and his ways, they are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
8He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years.
9And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.
Berean Standard Bible
Jotham becomes king at twenty-five and reigns sixteen years in Jerusalem. He does what is right in the sight of the LORD, but he does not enter the temple of the LORD as his father Uzziah had done. The people, however, continue their corrupt practices.
Jotham rebuilds the Upper Gate of the temple and carries out extensive work on the wall at Ophel. He builds towns in the hill country and fortresses and towers in the forests. His work strengthens Judah without crossing the boundary that had brought judgment on his father.
Jotham fights the Ammonites and prevails. The Ammonites pay him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley in the first and second years. They pay the same amount in the third year.
Jotham grows powerful because he orders his ways before the LORD his God. The statement is brief but weighty. His strength is not explained only by construction or military pressure; it is connected to the direction of his life before God.
Questions
1 What did Jotham avoid doing?
AnswerJotham did not enter the temple of the LORD as his father Uzziah had done.
2 What did Jotham build?
AnswerHe rebuilt the Upper Gate, worked on the wall at Ophel, and built towns, fortresses, and towers.
3 Whom did Jotham defeat?
AnswerJotham defeated the Ammonites, who then paid him tribute for three years.
4 Why did Jotham grow powerful?
AnswerHe grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.
What This Means for Us
Jotham's reign shows that strength can be exercised within limits. He builds and defends Judah, but he does not seize a priestly role that God had not given him.
Healthy responsibility includes knowing what not to take. Let obedience define the boundaries of ambition, especially when success makes more opportunities available.
Prayer
Lord, give us strength with restraint. Help us do our work well, honor the responsibilities you have given us, and refuse the authority that does not belong to us. Amen.