Jotham King of Judah

27 Jotham was 25 years old when he became king. He ruled 16 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. ² Jotham did what the Lord said was right. He obeyed God just as his father Uzziah had done. But Jotham did not enter the Temple of the Lord to burn incense as his father had. But the people continued doing wrong. ³ Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the Temple of the Lord. He did much building on the wall at the place named Ophel. ⁴ He also built towns in the hill country of Judah. And he built walled cities and towers in the forests.

⁵ Jotham also fought the king of the Ammonite people. And Jotham defeated the Ammonites. So each year for three years they gave Jotham about 7,500 pounds of silver. They also gave him about 62,000 bushels of wheat and about 62,000 bushels of barley. ⁶ Jotham became powerful because he always obeyed the Lord his God.

⁷ The other things Jotham did while he was king and all his wars are written down. They are in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. ⁸ Jotham was 25 years old when he became king. And he ruled 16 years in Jerusalem. ⁹ Jotham died and was buried in Jerusalem. And Jotham’s son Ahaz became king in his place.