[1] Jotham, son of Uzziah and Jerushah (daughter of Zadok), was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. [2] He followed the Eternal as his father had at the beginning of his reign, but he did not enter the Eternal's temple. In spite of his devotion, the people continued in corrupt lifestyles. [3] He built the upper gate of the Eternal's temple and the large wall of Ophel (the southern hill on the temple mount). [4] He built cities in Judah's hill country and fortresses and towers in the forests. [5] Jotham conquered the Ammonite king, and the Ammonites gave him 7,500 pounds of silver, 62,000 bushels of wheat, and 10,000 of barley for 3 years. [6] Jotham received all this wealth and power for himself and for the country because he followed the Eternal One, his True God. [7] All the events of Jotham's reign, including his battles and other actions, are in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. [8] He was 25 when he became king and ruled for 16 years. [9] Jotham died, and his bones were gathered and buried along with his ancestors in the city of David, Jerusalem. His son, Ahaz, succeeded him as king.
