1 Chronicles 27

Passage overview

2 Chronicles 27 covers the eleventh king of Judah, Jotham’s reign. Jotham succeeded his father Uzziah as king, and the Bible emphasizes that he acted uprightly in the sight of the LORD. This chapter briefly records the details of Jotham’s reign, the achievements he accomplished, and the distinctive features of his time as king.

1verseNow the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.

2verseOver the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

3verseHe was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

4verseOver the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite and his division, and Mikloth the ruler; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.

5verseThe third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

6verseThis is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty and over the thirty. Of his division was Ammizabad his son.

7verseThe fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

8verseThe fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

9verseThe sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

10verseThe seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

11verseThe eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

12verseThe ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

13verseThe tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

14verseThe eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

15verseThe twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

16verseFurthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;

17verseof Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;

18verseof Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;

19verseof Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;

20verseof the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

21verseof the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;

22verseof Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.

23verseBut David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.

24verseJoab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of King David.

25verseOver the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. Over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers was Jonathan the son of Uzziah;

26verseOver those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub.

27verseOver the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite.

28verseOver the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. Over the cellars of oil was Joash.

29verseOver the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai.

30verseOver the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.

31verseAll these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s.

32verseAlso Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.

33verseAhithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

34verseAfter Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king’s army.

Jotham’s Reign and Achievements

  • Coronation and Age: Jotham became king at the age of 25 and ruled in Jerusalem for 16 years.
  • A Life Aligned with God’s Will: Like his father Uzziah, it is recorded that he acted uprightly in the sight of the LORD. However, he did not repeat his father’s mistake—entering the temple to offer incense himself, and contracting leprosy as a result.
  • The Temple and Construction of the City and Walls: Jotham built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, strengthened the palace and the walls, and built many towns and watchtowers in the hill country of Judah.
  • Strengthening Defense and Winning Wars: He won battles against the descendants of Ammon, successfully achieving diplomatic results as well, including receiving tribute for three years.
  • The Spiritual Condition of the People: Jotham himself walked in the right way, but the people of Judah were still described as corrupt.

The Meaning of the Whole Chapter

The assessment that Jotham acted uprightly shows that, amid the confusing backdrop of the times, his faith and character stood out. By not repeating his father’s mistakes and by establishing the nation and the temple within God’s will, his example demonstrates leadership with a sense of responsibility. Yet it also reveals a limitation: a spiritual awakening for the entire people cannot be achieved by a leader’s personal faith and leadership alone.

Meditation Points

  • What if we focus on the fact that Jotham acted uprightly before God? We can reflect deeply on how his faithfulness affected his life and his nation.
  • As we notice that a leader’s faith and the spiritual state of all the people do not necessarily align, we can also meditate on our responsibility in our own life and community.

Applying It to Me

  • I too can check how well I am keeping “uprightness” before God and my own conscience.
  • I can look back on whether the community I belong to, my family, or my workplace is receiving good influence from me like Jotham, and use it as an opportunity to think about how to live with a more righteous attitude.

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