2Ch 27 | TNotes | STEP | 27:1 After a co-regency of eleven years with his father, Uzziah (750–740 BC ), Jotham became king in his own right and reigned five more years (740–735 BC ). This represents the sixteen years mentioned in the text. Jotham lived at least four more years, for we read that Hoshea came to power in the northern kingdom “in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah” (2 Kgs 15:30 ). But Jotham’s son, Ahaz, had already begun a co-regency with Jotham. After Jotham’s sixteen official years, Ahaz began to rule in his father’s stead (see study note on 2 Kgs 16:1-2). However, Ahaz presumably had his official accession ceremony following his father’s death in 732 BC , so the author of 2 Chronicles reckons Ahaz’s official regnal years starting in 731 BC (see 2 Chr 28:1 ).

b2 Kgs 15:30►

c2 Chr 28:1►

d27:3-4►

g2 Kgs 15:37►

‏ 2 Chronicles 27

27:1 ^a After a co-regency of eleven years with his father, Uzziah (750–740 BC), Jotham became king in his own right and reigned five more years (740–735 BC). This represents the sixteen years mentioned in the text. Jotham lived at least four more years, for we read that Hoshea came to power in the northern kingdom “in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah” (2 Kgs 15:30 ^b). But Jotham’s son, Ahaz, had already begun a co-regency with Jotham. After Jotham’s sixteen official years, Ahaz began to rule in his father’s stead (see study note on 2 Kgs 16:1-2). However, Ahaz presumably had his official accession ceremony following his father’s death in 732 BC, so the author of 2 Chronicles reckons Ahaz’s official regnal years starting in 731 BC (see 2 Chr 28:1 ^c).
Summary for 2Chr 27:3-4: 27:3-4 ^d Jotham’s rebuilding endeavors were like those of his father; he continued the work of restoration begun by Uzziah. He also constructed fortresses and towers in the forests, providing a network of lookouts and highway defenses within the kingdom and on the frontier.
27:5 ^e Uzziah had received tribute from the Ammonites (26:8 ^f), and Jotham continued to dominate their territory east of the Jordan. The end of these payments after three years might have been because of Jotham’s preoccupation with fighting Israel and Aram (2 Kgs 15:37 ^g).