Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Chronicles 27
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Chronicles 27
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Chronicles 27
"Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok." — 2 Chronicles 27:1 (ASV)
This short chapter runs parallel with 2 Kings and is taken mainly from the same source or sources, which it amplifies.
"He built the upper gate of the house of Jehovah, and on the wall of Ophel he built much." — 2 Chronicles 27:3 (ASV)
Ophel was the name given to the long, narrowish, rounded spur or promontory that lies between the central valley of Jerusalem (the Tyropoeon) and the Kidron, or valley of Jehoshaphat. The anxiety of Uzziah and Jotham to fortify their territory indicates a fear of external attack, which at this time was probably felt mainly in connection with Samaria and Syria (2 Kings 15:37). This faithless trust placed in fortifications was rebuked by the prophets of the time (Hosea 8:14; Isaiah 2:15).
"He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon render unto him, in the second year also, and in the third." — 2 Chronicles 27:5 (ASV)
The Ammonites, who had submitted to Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:8), revolted against Jotham. This revolt he firmly repressed; and, to punish it, he exacted a high rate of tribute for the three years following the termination of the war. The productivity of the Ammonite country in grain, which is indicated here, has been remarked upon as extraordinary by modern travelers.
Jump to: