Chapter 27
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
3He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
4Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
5He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.
6So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
7Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
8He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
9And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
“So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.”
Overview
Jotham reigns faithfully, building the upper gate of the temple and fortifying cities in the hill country. He defeats the Ammonites and receives tribute from them. The text notes that 'he became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.' However, the people continue their corrupt practices despite his faithful rule.
Key Themes
Quiet Faithfulness
Jotham's reign, though less dramatic than others, is characterized by consistent obedience — a reminder that faithfulness does not require spectacle.
Preparing One's Ways Before the LORD
Jotham's strength is directly attributed to ordering his life before God, demonstrating that intentional spiritual discipline produces genuine strength.
The Limits of Royal Influence
Despite Jotham's faithfulness, the people remain corrupt — showing that even a good king cannot change hearts, only God can.
Study Questions
What does the phrase 'he prepared his ways before the LORD' (v. 6) mean practically?
Why does the Chronicler note that Jotham did not enter the temple (v. 2) — what lesson from his father did he learn?
How does Jotham's quiet but consistent faithfulness challenge our desire for dramatic spiritual experiences?
What does the people's continued corruption despite Jotham's faithfulness teach about the limits of leadership?
How does Jotham's brief but positive record encourage believers living in obscurity?
Connection to Christ
Jotham learned from his father's mistake and did not enter the temple — he respected the boundary between king and priest. This boundary exists because only one person can rightfully hold both offices: Jesus Christ, who is both the King who rules and the Priest who mediates. Jotham's prepared ways before the LORD point to Christ, who perfectly ordered every step of His earthly life according to the Father's will.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 2 Chronicles 27. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?