Moreover, he built cities in the mountains of Judah ,.... In the mountainous part of it, the hill country of Judea, Luke 1:65 , and in the forests he built castles and towers ; for the safety of travellers, and of shepherds and their flocks, see 2 Chronicles 26:10 . read more
Castles and towers - These he built for the protection of the country people against marauders. 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
The mountains of Judah; Hebrew, בְּהַר ; Revised Version, hill country of Judah, the Hebrew text being in the singular number (compare particularly Joshua 9:1 , where the Har is evidently placed in contrast with the Shefelah ) . Castles; Hebrew, בִּירָנִיּוֹת (so 2 Chronicles 17:12 ). The meaning is that he built forts ( Isaiah 2:15 ; Hosea 8:14 ). 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
Prosperity followed by disaster (25:1-28:27)Succeeding kings of Israel are passed over in silence (2 Kings 13:1-25). Judah was to have nothing to do with the northern kingdom, not even to the hiring of Israelite soldiers. Amaziah took the advice, and was rewarded with victory in a battle against Edom. But the victory, instead of increasing his dependence on God, gave him a feeling of independence. He turned from God and worshipped idols. The ungodly northern kingdom then became God’s instrument... 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