2 Chronicles
Summary
Jotham succeeds his father Uzziah and rules with integrity and godliness, continuing the building projects in Jerusalem and throughout the mountains of Judah. He defeats the Ammonites and imposes a heavy tribute upon them, growing increasingly powerful because he prepares his ways before the LORD. The chapter records his sixteen-year reign of consistency and peace, noting that while he followed his father's good example, he carefully avoided the presumption of entering the Temple.
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people still acted corruptly.
He built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he built extensively on the wall of Ophel.
Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.
He also fought with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him in that year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand kors of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. The children of Ammon paid this to him in the second and third years also.
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
So Jotham rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then Ahaz his son reigned in his place.