Topical Bible: The Ammonites: Defeated by Jotham

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Ammonites, descendants of Lot through his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38), were a perennial adversary of the Israelites. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. Throughout biblical history, the Ammonites frequently clashed with the Israelites, often due to territorial disputes and religious differences.

Historical Context

The Ammonites are first mentioned in the context of their kinship with the Israelites, being descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. Despite this familial connection, the Ammonites often opposed Israel. Their hostility is evident in various biblical accounts, including their refusal to assist the Israelites during the Exodus (Deuteronomy 23:3-4) and their subsequent conflicts during the period of the Judges and the monarchy.

Jotham's Reign

Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was the king of Judah who reigned in the 8th century BC. His reign is noted for its relative stability and prosperity, as well as his commitment to the worship of Yahweh. The biblical account of Jotham's reign is found in 2 Kings 15:32-38 and 2 Chronicles 27:1-9.

Conflict with the Ammonites

During Jotham's reign, the Ammonites became subject to Judah. The biblical narrative in 2 Chronicles 27:5 states, "He also fought with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed against them. That year the Ammonites paid him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. They paid him the same in the second and third years."

This passage highlights Jotham's military success and the subsequent tribute imposed on the Ammonites. The tribute consisted of substantial amounts of silver, wheat, and barley, indicating both the economic impact of Jotham's victory and the subjugation of the Ammonites during his reign.

Religious and Political Implications

Jotham's victory over the Ammonites had significant religious and political implications. It demonstrated the strength and favor of Judah under a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 27:2). The defeat of the Ammonites and the imposition of tribute reinforced Judah's regional influence and underscored the belief in divine support for a king who upheld the worship of Yahweh.

Legacy

The defeat of the Ammonites by Jotham is a testament to the fluctuating power dynamics in the ancient Near East. It reflects the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and their neighbors, as well as the importance of faithfulness to God in achieving victory and maintaining stability. Jotham's reign, marked by this victory, is remembered as a period of relative peace and prosperity for Judah, setting the stage for the challenges faced by his successors.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 27:5
He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay to him, both the second year, and the third.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah ... books at what place Israel was
defeated by the ... passage, the command to exclude the Ammonites and Moabites ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... met with no better success; they were defeated at the ... the first comer; the Amorites,
the Ammonites, the Moabites ... Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm