Jotham Succeeds Uzziah in Judah

¹Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. ² He did right in the sight of the Lord, in accordance with everything that his father Uzziah had done; however, he did not enter the temple of the Lord. But the people continued behaving corruptly. ³ He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord, and did extensive building on the wall of Ophel. ⁴ Moreover, he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers. ⁵ He also fought with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed over them. As a result the Ammonites gave him during that year a hundred talents of silver and ten thousand measures each of wheat and of barley. The Ammonites also paid him that much in the second year and third year. ⁶ So Jotham grew powerful, because he directed his ways before the Lord his God. ⁷ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. ⁸ He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. ⁹ And Jotham slept with his fathers [in death], and they buried him in the City of David. Ahaz his son became king in his place.