Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Captured and Pillaged by Jotham

◄ Jerusalem: Captured and Pillaged by Jotham ►

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Jerusalem, the ancient and sacred city, holds a significant place in biblical history as the center of worship and the capital of the united kingdom under King David and Solomon. However, the city also experienced periods of turmoil and conquest. One such event, often misunderstood or misattributed, is the capture and pillaging of Jerusalem by Jotham. It is important to clarify that Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was a king of Judah and not an invader of Jerusalem. The confusion may arise from the complex historical and prophetic narratives surrounding the city.

Jotham's Reign and Context

Jotham reigned as king of Judah following the reign of his father, Uzziah. His rule is noted for its relative stability and adherence to the ways of the Lord, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:34 : "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done." Jotham's reign is characterized by his efforts to fortify the kingdom and maintain the worship of Yahweh, avoiding the idolatrous practices that plagued other periods of Judah's history.

Misinterpretations and Historical Context

The notion of Jotham capturing and pillaging Jerusalem likely stems from a misunderstanding of the historical and prophetic texts. During Jotham's time, the kingdom of Judah faced external threats, particularly from the northern kingdom of Israel and its allies. However, there is no biblical record of Jotham himself attacking Jerusalem. Instead, his reign is marked by construction projects and military fortifications, as noted in 2 Chronicles 27:3-4 : "Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD and carried out extensive work on the wall of Ophel. He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests."

Prophetic Warnings and Future Conquests

While Jotham's reign was relatively peaceful, the prophets of the time, such as Isaiah and Micah, warned of future judgments and invasions due to the people's unfaithfulness. These prophecies often spoke of Jerusalem's eventual capture and destruction, which would occur later under the Babylonian conquest. Isaiah 1:21 laments, "How the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!"

Conclusion

The historical record and biblical narrative do not support the idea of Jotham capturing and pillaging Jerusalem. Instead, his reign is remembered for its faithfulness to God and efforts to strengthen the kingdom of Judah. The prophetic warnings during his time foreshadowed future events that would bring devastation to Jerusalem, but these were not realized during Jotham's rule. Understanding the context and chronology of these events is crucial for a comprehensive study of Jerusalem's history in the biblical narrative.

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2 Chronicles 27:3
He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
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Library

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... former battle-fields, and had captured their capital, Sela ... unto the corner gate;"
he pillaged the Temple ... ornamented erections like those at Jerusalem, which seem ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... that those who wished to escape being pillaged had to ... a Millo in every important
town, Jerusalem included ... be his youngest brother Othniel, who captured the city ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm