Jotham (II)

II. JOTHAM, the son and successor of Uzziah, otherwise called Azariah King of Judah. Uzziah having been smitten with a leprosy for undertaking to offer incense, which function was reserved to the Priests, 2 Chron. xxvi. 16, 17, &c.the government of the kingdom was committed to Jotham his son, in the year of the world 3221, before J. C. 779, before the vulgar Æra 783. He governed five and twenty years to the year of the world 3246, before J. C. 754, before the vulgar Æra 758. Then he assumed the title of King, and reigned absolutely, to the year of the world 3262, before J. C. 738, before the vulgar Æra 742: So that he governed the kingdom of Judah one and forty years: sixteen years alone, and five and twenty years in his father’s life-time. The Scripture says, that he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and that he imitated the piety of his father Uzziah. Nevertheless he did not destroy the high places, and the people continued going thither to sacrifice: He built the great gate of the Temple, and carried on other works upon the walls of Jerusalem, in that quarter which was called Ophel. He caused forts and 2 Kings xv. 33. 2 Kings xv. 33,34, 35. 2 Kings xv. 37,38. 2 Chron. xxvii. 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. Judg. ix. 5, 6, &c. 2 Chron. xxvi. 7, 8.castles to be erected on the mountains, and in the forests of Judah.

The Ammonites, who had been overcome and brought into Subjection by Uzziah his father, having shewn an inclination to revolt from him; he defeated them, and imposed a tribute of an hundred talents in silver upon them, and ten thousand measures of wheat, with as many of barley. Towards the end of his reign, the Lord sent Rezin King of Syria and Pekah king of Israel against him. The particulars of these wars are not known to us, but it appears from Isaiah, i. 1, 2, 3, 4. that the land of Judah was in a very melancholy condition in the beginning of the reign of Ahaz, the son and successor of Jotham¹.

Read this article in its place on the printed pages