Question 1

Who was Jotham and how long did he reign as king of Judah?

Accepted Answer

Jotham was a king of Judah who began to reign at twenty‑five years old. He ruled for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His father was Uzziah, and his mother was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. The passage says he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, following the good example of his father but not repeating his father’s sin in the temple. During his years as king he built and fortified cities, defeated the Ammonites, and became known as a mighty ruler before he died and was buried in the city of David.

Question 2

What does it mean that Jotham did right in the sight of the Lord?

Accepted Answer

When the passage says Jotham did what was right in the sight of the Lord, it means his general way of life and his decisions as king were in line with God’s will. He followed the good ways of his father Uzziah but refused to copy his father’s proud act of forcing his way into the temple. Instead, Jotham is described as preparing his ways before the Lord, walking carefully, avoiding known sin, and staying steady in obedience. He cared about how God saw his actions more than how people saw him.

Question 3

What does it mean that Jotham "prepared his ways before the LORD his God"?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "prepared his ways before the LORD his God" shows that Jotham did not live carelessly. He thought ahead about his choices and ordered his life in a way that pleased God. He walked with caution, avoiding what was evil and planning to do what was good. This was not a one‑time decision but a steady pattern. He fixed his steps in God’s path and stayed with it. The passage links this to his strength, saying he became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord, not simply because he was skilled as a ruler.

Question 4

Why did the people act corruptly even though Jotham was a good king?

Accepted Answer

The passage gives a sad contrast: Jotham did what was right before the Lord, but the people still acted corruptly. This shows that a godly leader and a good example do not automatically change everyone’s heart. The people had chances to follow better ways, but many held on to their old sins, including wrong worship. It may also hint that Jotham did not or could not carry reform as far as it might have gone. Either way, the blame falls on the people themselves. They had light and help, but refused to turn fully from their corrupt ways.

Question 5

What is the high gate of the house of the LORD and why did Jotham build it?

Accepted Answer

The high gate of the house of the Lord was an important entrance connected with the temple area in Jerusalem. Jotham repaired and strengthened this gate, likely making it higher, stronger, and more beautiful. This shows that he cared about proper worship and the safety and honor of God’s house. Along with this, he also built much on the wall of Ophel, a fortified area by the temple, and built cities, castles, and towers. His work on the high gate fits with his whole pattern of guarding his people and giving God’s house a clear, secure place in the life of the nation.

Question 6

Who were the Ammonites and what happened between them and Jotham?

Accepted Answer

The Ammonites were a neighboring people east of Israel and Judah. They had been enemies before and had once invaded Judah. In Jotham’s time they seem to have challenged Judah again, but he fought with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed. After he defeated them, the children of Ammon paid him a large tribute: one hundred talents of silver and huge amounts of wheat and barley for three years. This tribute showed they were under his power. It also added to his strength and honor among nearby nations, but the passage ties his real might to his walk with God.

Question 7

What were the cities, castles, and towers that Jotham built in Judah?

Accepted Answer

The passage says Jotham built cities in the mountains of Judah and in the forests he built castles and towers. The mountain cities would help secure the hill country and give homes and protection to people living there. The castles and towers in the forested areas likely served as strongholds and lookout points, protecting travellers, shepherds, and flocks. Together with his work on the wall of Ophel and the high gate of the temple, this building shows that Jotham took his duty to guard the land seriously and used his reign to make Judah safer and more settled.

Question 8

Why did Jotham become mighty, according to this passage?

Accepted Answer

The passage gives a clear reason: “So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.” His success is not credited only to good politics or strong walls, but to his careful walk with God. As he ordered his life and his rule in line with God’s will, God blessed his efforts. His victories over the Ammonites, his building projects, and his growing honor among nations flow out of that deeper reality. This teaches that real strength comes from living before God’s face, not just from human power, money, or strategy.

Question 9

How does Jotham’s example challenge readers today?

Accepted Answer

Jotham’s life presses two main questions on readers. First, are we preparing our ways before the Lord, or just drifting? He shows what it looks like to think ahead, avoid known sin, and stay steady in obedience, even when others around us live corruptly. Second, do we measure success the way God does? Jotham’s might is linked to his walk with God, not only to his victories and buildings. His story invites us to care more about being faithful than about being noticed, and to keep honoring God even when the crowd around us will not change.

Question 10

What happens at the end of Jotham’s life and who reigns after him?

Accepted Answer

Jotham dies fairly young, at about forty‑one years old, after sixteen years of ruling in Jerusalem. The passage says he “slept with his fathers,” meaning he died and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. His reign is summed up as one of right living before God, steady building, and military success. After his death, his son Ahaz rules in his place. From other parts of Scripture, we learn that Ahaz is nothing like his father and leads the nation into deep sin, which makes Jotham’s faithful but short reign stand out even more.

2 Chronicles 27:1

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.

Jotham Reigns in Judah

Jotham Reigns in Judah

metadata.crossReferences

2 Chronicles 27:1

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.

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

Jotham Reigns in Judah

Jotham Reigns in Judah

metadata.crossReferences