Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the Chapter
The pious Jotham triumphs over the Ammonites and imposes an annual tribute on them; his impious son Ahaz succeeds him.
Vulgate Text: 2 Paralipomenon 27:1-9
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. 2. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done, except that he did not enter the temple of the Lord; and the people still acted corruptly. 3. He built the high gate of the house of the Lord, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. 4. He also built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers. 5. He fought against the king of the Ammonites and prevailed over them; the Ammonites gave him in that period one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and as many cors of barley; this the Ammonites paid him, in the second and third year. 6. Jotham became strong because he had directed his ways before the Lord his God. 7. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and deeds, are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. 8. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 9. Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
Verse 2: He Did Not Enter the Temple
2. EXCEPT THAT HE DID NOT ENTER THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD — to burn incense, as his father Uzziah had done; that is to say, Jotham imitated his father's piety, but not the rashness with which he burned incense, which was the office of the priests.
AND THE PEOPLE STILL ACTED CORRUPTLY — by their habitual practice of sacrificing on the high places. This was an inveterate and common evil of the people; therefore Jotham, fearing their offense and rebellion, did not dare to remove it. Josephus, book 9, chapter 11, gives this eulogy of Jotham: "No virtue was lacking to him — pious toward God, just toward men, and devoted to the commonwealth."
Verse 3: He Built the High Gate and Ophel
3. HE BUILT (restored, enlarged, adorned) THE HIGH GATE OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD — namely the eastern gate, through which was the main entrance to the temple from the front, which was the principal and loftiest gate.
AND ON THE WALL OF OPHEL — this was a tower in Jerusalem so exceedingly high that looking from its summit made the eyes grow dim. For 'Ophel' in Hebrew signifies dimness or darkness. See what was said on Isaiah 32:14. Hear Adrichomius in his Description of Jerusalem, number 55: "Ophel, which Josephus calls Ophla, was a tower of enormous height, as if thrusting its head into a cloud, a fortified citadel girded by a strong wall, near the temple, yet outside the wall that enclosed the habitation of the priests. On its wall King Jotham built much. And Manasseh restored the city walls up to that point. The Nethinim dwelt in it. Menahem the tyrant, fleeing into it, was captured and killed. The same was burned by the soldiers of Titus."