Topical Bible: Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jotham

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Topical Encyclopedia

Jotham, the son of Uzziah (also known as Azariah) and Jerusha, daughter of Zadok, was the eleventh king of the Kingdom of Judah. His reign is chronicled in the biblical books of 2 Kings 15:32-38 and 2 Chronicles 27. Jotham ascended to the throne following the leprosy-induced isolation of his father, Uzziah, and he ruled for sixteen years in Jerusalem.

Background and Ascension

Jotham's reign began around 750 BC, during a period of relative stability in Judah. His father, Uzziah, had been a strong and capable king, but his reign ended in disgrace due to his prideful attempt to burn incense in the temple, which resulted in leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Jotham effectively began his rule as a co-regent during Uzziah's illness and continued as the sole monarch after his father's death.

Character and Reign

Jotham is noted for his piety and adherence to the ways of the LORD, following in the righteous footsteps of his father, albeit without repeating Uzziah's transgression. The biblical account in 2 Kings 15:34 states, "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done." However, the high places were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there, indicating a partial failure to fully centralize worship in Jerusalem.

Jotham's reign was marked by significant building projects, including the construction of the Upper Gate of the Temple of the LORD and extensive fortifications on the wall of Ophel (2 Chronicles 27:3). He also built cities in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the forests, demonstrating his commitment to strengthening the kingdom's infrastructure and defenses.

Military Campaigns and Relations

Jotham successfully waged war against the Ammonites, who became his vassals and paid him a substantial tribute for three consecutive years (2 Chronicles 27:5). This victory not only secured Judah's borders but also contributed to the kingdom's prosperity during his reign.

Spiritual and Political Climate

Despite Jotham's personal faithfulness, the spiritual climate of Judah was mixed. The persistence of high places suggests a populace that was not fully committed to the exclusive worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. Politically, Jotham's reign was relatively peaceful, but the looming threat of Assyrian expansion under Tiglath-Pileser III began to cast a shadow over the region.

Death and Succession

Jotham's reign ended with his death, and he was buried in the City of David. His son, Ahaz, succeeded him as king. The biblical narrative in 2 Chronicles 27:6 summarizes Jotham's reign: "So Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God." His legacy is one of faithfulness and strength, setting a standard for his successors, even as the kingdom faced increasing external pressures.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 15:32-38
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 27:1-9
Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned IS years and died. ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the
hope that they would regain their control over the ten tribes. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... When He Had Taken Jezebel To Wife Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had ...
How Jotham, The Son Of Uzziah Reigned Over The Tribe Of Judah; And What ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... strengthened to gain a great victory over the Ethiopians ... kingdom during his lifetime,
and afterwards reigned alone till ... and most idolatrous of the Kings of Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... Menahem reigned ten years at Samaria ... ver.27), and, by his alliance with the kings
of Syria ... xxv., gave a survey of what he had prophesied over Judah during twenty ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... old songs are quoted: the "Song of Hannah," David's exquisite lament over Saul and ...
twenty years and then came to the throne and reigned for sixteen ... 2 Kings 16:2 ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Appendices
... and not rather one of the unknown kings of the ... Assyrians 732 Hezekiah 727 Invasion
of Judah by Sennacherib ... 2. My father reigned over Moab thirty years, and I ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the labours of the attacking force were not yet over. ... The petty kings who shared
with Assyria the possession ... Barzur, son of Panammu I., had reigned there since ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... kings came and fought;"then fought the kings of Canaan ... A perpetual terror reigned
wherever they were accustomed to pass ... rule over you, or that one rule over you ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... said truly of Archelaus alone, for Antipas reigned 43 years ... the walls, and nine will
I watch over, and they ... the covenant of the Lord." Seven kings improved the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings' (Isaiah 7 ... set up and established
his own power over them. ... Besides, the kingly race of Judah was at this time ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm