2 Chronicles 27

Jotham began his sixteen-year reign over Judah at age twenty-five, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD, though the people remained corrupt. He undertook significant building projects, including the high gate of the temple and fortifications throughout the land. Jotham also successfully warred against the Ammonites, who paid him substantial tribute for three years, and he became mighty because he prepared his ways before God.

Jotham, son of Uzziah, began his reign over Judah at the age of twenty-five, ruling for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He was noted for doing what was right in the sight of the LORD, following the example of his father Uzziah, though he did not enter the temple. Despite Jotham's righteousness, the people of Judah continued to act corruptly. During his reign, he undertook significant construction, including the high gate of the house of the LORD and extensive work on the wall of Ophel, as well as building cities and fortifications in Judah. Jotham engaged in conflict with the Ammonites, prevailing over them, which resulted in a substantial annual tribute of silver, wheat, and barley for three years. His might was attributed to his diligent preparation of his ways before the LORD his God, and he was succeeded by his son Ahaz.

The twenty-seventh chapter of 2 Chronicles details the reign of Jotham, who ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of twenty-five and reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. Jotham distinguished himself by doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD, mirroring the righteous conduct of his father Uzziah. However, unlike his father, Jotham did not enter the temple of the LORD, a subtle distinction noted in the text. Despite Jotham's personal piety, the people of Judah continued to act corruptly during his reign. Jotham was a significant builder, constructing the high gate of the house of the LORD and extensively fortifying the wall of Ophel. He also expanded Judah's infrastructure by building cities in the mountainous regions and erecting castles and towers in the forests. Militarily, Jotham engaged the king of the Ammonites and achieved a decisive victory over them. As a result of his triumph, the Ammonites were compelled to pay a substantial tribute for three consecutive years, consisting of one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand measures of barley annually. The scripture attributes Jotham's growing might to his commitment to preparing his ways before the LORD his God. His other acts, wars, and ways are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Jotham eventually passed away and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.