What does 2 Kings 15:36 mean?
What is the meaning of 2 Kings 15:36?

As for the rest of the acts of Jotham

• Jotham ruled Judah sixteen years, stepping into leadership while his father Uzziah was sidelined with leprosy (2 Kings 15:5, 32–33).

2 Chronicles 27:2 affirms that “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD,” a refreshing note of fidelity amid the repeated failures of other kings (contrast 2 Kings 15:34 with 2 Kings 15:9, 18).

• His reign illustrates that personal godliness can coexist with national instability; despite his faithfulness, “the people still corrupted themselves” (2 Chronicles 27:2). The verse reminds us that a leader’s righteousness doesn’t automatically guarantee the obedience of the people—echoing Joshua 24:15 where households must choose whom they will serve.


along with his accomplishments

• Building projects: “He built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD and did extensive work on the wall of Ophel” (2 Chronicles 27:3). Such fortifications reflect prudent stewardship, paralleling Nehemiah’s later wall repairs (Nehemiah 2:17).

• Military victories: “He fought the king of the Ammonites and prevailed” (2 Chronicles 27:5). God granted success, similar to how He delivered Judah under Asa in 2 Chronicles 14:12.

• Growing power: “Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). This cause-and-effect mirrors the promise of 1 Samuel 2:30—“those who honor Me I will honor.”

• Lasting influence: Although brief details appear in Kings, Chronicles supplies the fuller portrait, underscoring how Scripture complements itself (compare 2 Kings 15:35 with 2 Chronicles 27:4).


are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

• The recurring formula (cf. 1 Kings 14:29; 2 Kings 14:18) signals that the inspired author is summarizing while pointing readers to additional records, demonstrating confidence that historical facts support divine revelation.

• “Chronicles” here refers to official royal annals now lost, but their mention affirms Scripture’s rootedness in real history—just as Luke 1:1–4 anchors the gospel in “orderly accounts.”

• The statement encourages further study: the canonical book of 2 Chronicles serves as the Spirit-preserved counterpart, providing the details God deemed essential for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16).


summary

2 Kings 15:36 compresses Jotham’s life into a single sentence yet signals a king who walked faithfully, achieved tangible victories, and left a documented legacy. The verse testifies that God notices righteous leadership, preserves accurate records of His people, and invites us to explore the broader biblical narrative for a fuller picture of His unfolding plan.

What theological implications arise from the people's continued sacrifices in high places?
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