Bible Commentaries

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 was twenty and five years old - (see the notes at 2 Kings 15:32-35.) His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok - or descendant of the famous priest of that name.

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

He did that which was right. The general rectitude of his government is described by representing it as conducted on the excellent principles which had guided the early part of his father's reign.

The people did yet corruptly - (see 2 Kings 15:35); but the description here is more emphatic, that though Jotham did much to promote the good of his kingdom, and aimed at a thorough reformation in religion, the widespread and inveterate wickedness of the people frustrated all his laudable efforts.

He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.

He built the high gate of the house of the Lord - situated on the north-that portion of the temple hill which was high compared with the southern part; hence, "the higher," or upper gate, 2 Kings 15:35. "He built" -

i.e., repaired or embellished.

And on the wall of Ophel - the Ophel; i:e., the mound or eminence on the southeastern slope of the temple mount-a ridge lying between the valleys Kidron and Tyropoeon, called 'the lower city' (Josephus).

He built much - having the same desire as his father to secure the defense of Jerusalem in every direction.

Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.

In the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers - i:e., in the elevated and wooded spots [ bech

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 unto him, both the second year, and the third.

He fought also with the king of the Ammonites. This invasion he not only repelled, but, pursuing the Ammonites into their own territory, imposed on them a yearly tribute, which for two years they paid; but when Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, combined to attack the kingdom of Judah, they took the opportunity of revolting, and Jotham was too distracted by other matters to attempt the re-conquest (see the note at 2 Kings 15:37).