And he did that which was right ,.... See Gill on 2 Kings 15:34 , howbeit, he entered not into the temple of the Lord ; to burn incense, as his father did; he did according to his good ways, but not his evil ones: and the people did yet corruptly ; in sacrificing and burning incense in the high places, 2 Kings 15:35 which some think Joash himself did, and is meant in the preceding clause; but the sense given is best. read more
He entered not into the temple - He copied his father's conduct as far as it was constitutional; and avoided his transgression. See the preceding chapter, 2 Chronicles 26 (note). read more
Uzziah and Jotham, father and son. From the slight materials we have here, and those still more scanty in the Book of Kings, we may glean— I. THAT THE BEST PART OF UZZIAH 'S FORTUNE WAS IN HIS FATHERHOOD . He did, indeed, enjoy a very good estate; the "lines fell to him in pleasant places, and he had a goodly heritage." He had the highest position in the land, power, wealth, a large and noble sphere for great natural ability and honourable ambition ( 2 Chronicles... read more
The blameless reign of a son who followed all that was good in a father's example, and took warning of what was wrong in it. The preacher may take occasion, from the apparently scant contents of this chapter, to enlarge on the general subject of example as a force in human life, pointing out its strong points and its weaker side; what is requisite to give it a steady and equable influence, and how there is only one perfect Example—an Example always and in all things and by all worthy to be... read more
Features of an honourable life: Jotham. But little of Jotham's reign is recorded in Scripture, and his name is seldom on our lips. But he was a man of worth and wisdom; and, considering the comparative brevity of his life, we may say that he contributed much to his country. We learn from the account in the Second Book of Kings ( 2 Kings 15:5 )— I. THAT HE SERVED A USEFUL APPRENTICESHIP . We find that, for some time during his father's illness, he, "the king's son, was over... read more
A brief record of a bright reign. I. JOTHAM , A GOOD MAN . 1 . Of honourable parentage. 2 . Of excellent character. II. JOTHAM SUCCESSFUL KING . 1 . The duration of his success. Throughout his entire reign of sixteen years. If his father's reign was longer and more brilliant, his was more symmetrical and complete. If he was a more obscure monarch than his father, he was probably as good a man. 2 . The nature of his success. (a) He restored and... read more
Howbeit . This word purports to render the Hebrew רַק , which might find a more telling reproduction in such a phrase as "and moreover." It has been said, wherein his father did right, so did he; and to his clear advantage, where his father went wrong, he did not. The people did yet corruptly . The parallel, in its verse 35, specifies in what this consisted, viz. that they continued the high places, burning incense and sacrificing at them. The early chapters of Isaiah depict forcibly... read more
A.M. 3246. B.C. 758. Jotham reigns well and prospers, 2 Chronicles 27:1-6 . The conclusion of his reign, 2 Chronicles 27:7-9 . 2 Chronicles 27:2. He did that which was right, &c. He did according to all his father Uzziah did, except in his miscarriages. We must not imitate those we have the greatest esteem for, any further than they do well; and their failings must be warnings to us, to walk more circumspectly. 2 Chronicles 27:3. He built the high gate, &c. Otherwise called... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 27:1-9
There is not much more related here concerning Jotham than we had before, 2 Kgs. 15:32-38 I. He reigned well. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; the course of his reign was good, and pleasing to God, whose favour he made his end, and his word his rule, and (which shows that he acted from a good principle) he prepared his ways before the Lord his God (2 Chron. 27:6), that is, he walked circumspectly and with much caution, contrived how to shun that which was evil and compass... read more