World English Bible
- Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
- He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he didn’t enter into the LORD’s temple. The people still acted corruptly.
- He built the upper gate of the LORD’s house, and he built much on the wall of Ophel.
- Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.
- He also fought with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. The children of Ammon also gave that much to him in the second year, and in the third.
- So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.
- Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
- He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
- Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles 27 — Ordered Ways
Reflection After yesterday’s warning under Uzziah, Jotham embodies measured strength. He “did what was right,” refused to repeat his father’s temple presumption, yet he built the Temple’s Upper Gate and fortified Judah. The Chronicler adds a quiet jewel: “So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God” (English Standard Version). The Hebrew hekin (from kun) means “to set firm, establish.” Power follows ordering one’s life coram Deo, not swagger.
Western readers often miss how gates shape worship and justice—the gate is court, catechism, and turnstile of holiness. The “Upper Gate” likely regulated approach to the holy precincts; order protects presence. Archaeology along the Ophel ridge corroborates expansive works in this era, grounding the text in Judah’s stone and slope.
Jotham’s restraint honors priestly boundaries (cf. ch. 26) and anticipates the true Priest-King who alone enters without peril (Hebrews 4:14–16). Note the sobering line: the king is faithful, yet “the people still acted corruptly.” Leaders can order gates; only God can order hearts. Still—prepare your ways.
Cross-References - 2 Kings 15:32–38; Proverbs 16:3; Micah 6:8; Hebrews 4:14–16
Suggested Hymn “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord.”
Prayer Lord, establish our steps before your face. Give us Jotham’s restraint, courage, and ordered ways. Set holy boundaries around our work, and make our hearts your gate. Through Christ our Priest-King. Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on 2 Chronicles Chapter 27