2 Chronicles 27:1
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to skim over the mention of Jotham's mother, but the text deliberately names her as "Jerushah the daughter of Zadok." This detail connects Jotham directly to the lineage of the respected High Priest Zadok, subtly highlighting the godly influence and strong spiritual heritage he came from, which likely shaped his righteous reign.
This chapter opens with the introduction of King Jotham, a righteous ruler who followed in his father Uzziah's footsteps. Immediately following his reign, the text will describe the wicked actions of his son, Ahaz, who reverses Jotham's faithful legacy and brings disaster upon Judah. Understanding Jotham's faithfulness sets the stage for the stark contrast and painful consequences that are about to unfold in the next generation.
We often focus on kings and their deeds, but what about the quiet influence behind them? Jotham's mother, Jerushah, is mentioned by name, a rare detail in the Chronicler's account.
The Power of a Godly Heritage
In the often tumultuous history of Israel's kings, the identity of a king's mother is sometimes highlighted. This is because a mother's upbringing and her own spiritual life could significantly shape the king's character and reign.
Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok (likely referring to the High Priest Zadok from David's time), signifies a lineage connected to priestly service and faithfulness. Even though the verse focuses on Jotham's reign, the mention of his mother points to the importance of the spiritual foundation he likely received. A godly influence in the home can be a bedrock for faithfulness in leadership and life.
Jotham's reign is often characterized by a 'lack' of recorded negative actions. What does it mean for a leader, or for us, to be defined by faithfulness rather than failure?
The Quiet Virtue of Obedience
The books of Chronicles often evaluate kings based on their adherence to God's commands. While Jotham isn't highlighted for grand, outward displays of religious reform like some other kings, the Chronicler notes that 'he did not burn incense, nor did he do anything evil in the sight of the Lord.'
This suggests that faithfulness can be quiet and consistent. It's not always about the spectacular; it's about honoring God in the everyday responsibilities and decisions. Jotham's reign was marked by prosperity and strength, indicating that a solid foundation of obedience to God undergirds stability and blessing, even if those actions aren't always the most dramatic.
Jotham's reign, though marked by relative peace and prosperity in Judah, occurred during a turbulent period of rising Assyrian power and regional conflict, setting the stage for the intense challenges his son Ahaz would face.
c. 750 BC
Reign of Uzziah
Jotham's father, Uzziah (also known as Azariah), reigned for 52 years, a long and prosperous period for Judah. However, he became leprous later in life due to his pride in offering incense in the temple.
c. 742 BC— this verse
Jotham Begins Reign
Upon Uzziah's death, his son Jotham, who had likely been regent due to his father's leprosy, ascended the throne at age 25. He reigned for 16 years in Jerusalem.
c. 740 BC
Reign of Tiglath-Pileser III
Tiglath-Pileser III became king of Assyria, initiating a new era of aggressive expansion and conquest that would profoundly impact the region.
c. 734 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War Begins
The northern kingdom of Israel (also called Ephraim) and Syria formed an alliance against Assyria and tried to force Judah to join them. King Ahaz, Jotham's son, refused.
This verse provides the parallel account of Jotham's reign from the perspective of the northern kingdom's history, highlighting his initial association with his father Uzziah.
2 Chronicles 26:1-5This passage introduces Jotham's father, Uzziah, whose long and influential reign sets the stage for Jotham's own time on the throne. It shows the godly heritage from which Jotham sprang, through his mother Jerushah and father Uzziah.
Proverbs 22:6While not a direct historical link, this proverb speaks to the importance of upbringing, suggesting that Jotham's mother, Jerushah, daughter of Zadok (a prominent priest), likely provided a strong godly influence in his early life.
2 Chronicles 27:2-6This section immediately follows, detailing Jotham's righteous reign, emphasizing that he 'did what was right in the eyes of the Lord' and rebuilt parts of the temple. It shows the positive outcome of a reign that followed God's ways, despite the challenges that may have come from his father's later pride.
It's easy to skim over the mention of Jotham's mother, but the text deliberately names her as "Jerushah the daughter of Zadok." This detail connects Jotham directly to the lineage of the respected High Priest Zadok, subtly highlighting the godly influence and strong spiritual heritage he came from, which likely shaped his righteous reign.
This chapter opens with the introduction of King Jotham, a righteous ruler who followed in his father Uzziah's footsteps. Immediately following his reign, the text will describe the wicked actions of his son, Ahaz, who reverses Jotham's faithful legacy and brings disaster upon Judah. Understanding Jotham's faithfulness sets the stage for the stark contrast and painful consequences that are about to unfold in the next generation.
This chapter opens with the introduction of King Jotham, a righteous ruler who followed in his father Uzziah's footsteps. Immediately following his reign, the text will describe the wicked actions of his son, Ahaz, who reverses Jotham's faithful legacy and brings disaster upon Judah. Understanding Jotham's faithfulness sets the stage for the stark contrast and painful consequences that are about to unfold in the next generation.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Chronicles 27:1 is available in the Sola app.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Northern Israel
In response to the resistance and shifting alliances, Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria invaded the northern kingdom of Israel, conquering key cities and deporting Israelites.
c. 732 BC
Jotham's Reign Ends
Jotham died and was succeeded by his son, Ahaz, who faced immense pressure from the advancing Assyrian empire and the ongoing conflict with the northern kingdoms.
"Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok." — It's easy to skim over the mention of Jotham's mother, but the text deliberately names her as "Jerushah the daughter of Zadok." This detail connects Jotham directly to the lineage of the respected Hi…
