This page offers questions and leader’s notes for studying 2 Chronicles 27, the short account of King Jotham of Judah. It is written for a small group, a Sunday class, or a personal study who wants to move from reading the chapter to talking honestly about it. Each question is paired with a discussion note so the leader can use it without preparing extra material.
2 Chronicles 27 at a Glance
Jotham becomes king at twenty-five and reigns sixteen years in Jerusalem. The chapter gives his mother’s name, then sums up his character: he did what was right before the LORD, yet the people still acted corruptly. The writer then lists his building projects, including the upper gate of the temple, walls at Ophel, cities in the hill country, and fortresses in the forests. His military and financial success follows, and the chapter closes with his death, burial and the succession of his son Ahaz.
The chapter is compact, so it works well as a single session. The strongest threads to follow are the contrast between personal faithfulness and public drift, and the explanation the writer gives for Jotham’s strength.
Observation Questions
Use these first to make sure the group has read the text closely before anyone offers an interpretation. Ask someone to read the chapter aloud, then work through the questions one at a time, returning to the passage each time.
2 Chronicles 27:1-2
1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. 2 He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he didn’t enter into the LORD’s temple. The people still acted corruptly.
(WEB)
Reading the opening verses first sets the tone for the chapter. Hearing his character summarized before his achievements helps the group see what the writer considers most important about Jotham.
2 Chronicles 27:6
So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.
(WEB)
This verse gives the central explanation for Jotham’s strength. Reading it aloud invites the group to reflect on the source of lasting power, and it works well before any discussion of his successes.
2 Chronicles 27:3-4
3 He built the upper gate of the LORD’s house, and he built much on the wall of Ophel. 4 Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.
(WEB)
The building projects show how faithfulness can extend into practical service. Hearing these verses together helps the group picture a kingdom being strengthened in visible, tangible ways.
2 Chronicles 27:5
He also fought with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them. The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand cors of barley. The children of Ammon also gave that much to him in the second year, and in the third.
(WEB)
This verse records Jotham’s military victory and the tribute that followed. It is a useful moment to ask how the group thinks about success, and whether the chapter presents it as a reward or simply as a fact.
2 Chronicles 27:9
Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.
(WEB)
Reading the closing verse brings the chapter to its quiet end. Pausing on the succession of Ahaz encourages the group to consider how faith is passed on and what each generation must choose for itself.
Memory Verse for 2 Chronicles 27
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you for the record of faithful kings and for the reminder that your people are called to order their lives before you. Help us, as Jotham did, to put you first in private and in public, and to build things that serve others rather than ourselves. Where we have been content with appearing faithful, search our hearts and draw us into deeper obedience. Give us the patience to keep going when the people around us drift, trusting that your presence is our strength. Be with each person here this week, and let what we have read shape how we speak, work and pray. Amen.
