by 2 Chronicles 27:1-9, Jotham
This interpretive Commentary contains an outline that I created. To follow along, I highly suggest that you follow along in your Bible to read the verses that I am interpreting. Enjoy!
27:1-2, Jotham overview, his righteousness, and people’s sin
Jerushah’s father, Zadok, was a famous priest (2 Sam. 8:17). Although Jotham did not enter the forbidden temple and followed the Lord correctly, his people did not. This description is to be more emphatic, Jotham led by example, but his kingdom was excessively wicked to change for the better.[1] Evidence of this is in 2 Kings 15:35 where his people would continue to offer sacrifices and burn incense at high places.
27:3-4, Building projects
Ophel is a ridge lying between the valleys of Kedron and Tyropoeon, called “the lower city”, also known as the city of David. He continued the works of his father to increase the defenses of Jerusalem in every direction. Where he could not build cities, he would build castles and towers.[2]
27:5-6, Military success, and faith with God
A talent of silver is approximately seventy five pounds, the average spot price of silver in 2022 is over $1,200 per pound which equates to $90,000 of silver in 2022. 10,000 cors equals sixty-five thousand bushels, this was a lot of wheat and barley at that time. Jotham was powerful like his father, but he did not turn to pride, so there was no punishment given to him.
27:7-9, Jotham summary, burial, and successor
The book of kings or Israel and Judah are not known and have not been identified. The term, “rested with his ancestors” sometimes means that he died peacefully and/or at the same family plot of land.
[1] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, et al., Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 280.
[2] Ibid.