2 Chronicles 27:4

27:1-9 Jotham's reign in Judah. - The people did corruptly. Perhaps Jotham was wanting towards the reformation of the land. Men may be very good, and yet not have courage and zeal to do what they might. It certainly casts blame upon the people. Jotham prospered, and became mighty. The more stedfast we are in religion, the more mighty we are, both to resist evil, and to do good. The Lord often removes wise and pious rulers, and sends others, whose follies and vices punish a people that valued not their mercies.

Verse 4. - The mountains of Judah; Hebrew, בְּהַר ; Revised Version, hill country of Judah, the Hebrew text being in the singular number (compare particularly Joshua 9:1 , where the Har is evidently placed in contrast with the Shefelah ). Castles; Hebrew, בִּירָנִיּות (so 2 Chronicles 17:12 ). The meaning is that he built forts ( Isaiah 2:15 ; Hosea 8:14 ). 2 Chronicles 27:4

Ophel was the name given to the long, narrowish, rounded spur or promontory, which intervenes between the central valley of Jerusalem (the Tyropoeon) and the Kidron, or valley of Jehoshaphat. The anxiety of Uzziah and Jotham to fortify their territory indicates a fear of external attack, which at this time was probably felt mainly in connection with Samaria and Syria ( 2 Kings 15:37 note). The faithless trust put in fortifications was rebuked by the prophets of the time Hosea 8:14 ; Isaiah 2:15 .

(4) Moreover. —Literally, and cities built he in the hill region of Judah. (Comp. 2Chronicles 26:10 .) Castles.—Bîrânîyôth; a term explained at 2Chronicles 17:12. The contemporary prophets denounced the popular confidence in “fenced cities” as a kind of treason against Jehovah, who was Himself the shield and fortress of His people (Psalm 18:1; Isaiah 12:2). “Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth palaces; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof” (Hosea 8:14. Comp. Isaiah 2:15; Isaiah 17:3-4).

He built the upper gate of the house of Jahve, i.e., the northern gate of the inner or upper court (see on 2 Kings 15:35 ); the only work of his reign which is mentioned in the book of Kings. But besides this, he continued the fortifying of Jerusalem, which his father had commenced; building much at the wall of the Ophel. העפל was the name of the southern slope of the temple mountain (see on 2 Chronicles 33:14 ); the wall of Ophel is consequently the wall connecting Zion with the temple mountain, at which Uzziah had already built (see on 2 Chronicles 26:9 ). He likewise carried on his father's buildings for the protection of the herds ( 2 Chronicles 26:10 ), building the cities in the mountains of Judah, and castles (בּירניּות, 2 Chronicles 17:12 ) and towers in the forests of the mountains of Judah (חרשׁים from חרשׁ, a thicket).

Among plants and hedges - Rather, "in Netaim and Gederah" Joshua 15:36 . With the king - Or, probably, "on the king's property." Both David and several of the later kings had large territorial possessions in various parts of Judaea 1 Chronicles 27:25, 1 Chronicles 27:31; 2 Chronicles 26:10; 2 Chronicles 27:4; 2 Chronicles 32:28-29.

Among plants and hedges - Rather, "in Netaim and Gederah" Joshua 15:36 . With the king - Or, probably, "on the king's property." Both David and several of the later kings had large territorial possessions in various parts of Judaea 1 Chronicles 27:25, 1 Chronicles 27:31; 2 Chronicles 26:10; 2 Chronicles 27:4; 2 Chronicles 32:28-29.