**The Reign of Jotham: A King Who Walked Uprightly**

In the land of Judah, where the golden sun rose over the hills of Jerusalem, a new king ascended the throne after the death of his father, Uzziah. His name was Jotham, a man of twenty-five years, strong in spirit and steadfast in heart. Unlike many kings before him who wavered between righteousness and rebellion, Jotham resolved in his youth to walk before the Lord with unwavering devotion.

Jotham had witnessed the pride and downfall of his father, Uzziah, who, though once a mighty and godly king, had been struck with leprosy for daring to burn incense in the Temple—a duty reserved only for the priests. The memory of his father’s humiliation haunted Jotham, and he vowed never to repeat such folly. Instead, he sought the wisdom of the Lord and the counsel of the priests, ensuring that his reign would be marked by reverence and obedience.

### **A King Who Built and Conquered**

With the strength of the Almighty guiding him, Jotham set about securing his kingdom. He fortified the walls of Jerusalem, reinforcing the high gates that stood as a bulwark against invaders. Beyond the city, he erected strongholds in the hill country of Judah, ensuring that his people would be protected from the raids of the Ammonites and other hostile neighbors.

But Jotham was not merely a warrior-king; he was also a builder. In the forests of Judah, he commanded the construction of towers and fortresses, their stones laid with precision, their ramparts towering over the land like sentinels of peace. His laborers worked diligently, knowing that their king cared for their safety.

And the Lord blessed Jotham’s efforts. When the Ammonites, long-time adversaries of Judah, rose against him, sending their warriors to demand tribute, Jotham did not cower. Instead, he led his armies with courage, and the Lord granted him victory. For three years, the Ammonites were forced to pay heavy tribute—a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat, and ten thousand of barley—their pride humbled before the might of Judah.

### **A Heart That Did Not Stray**

Yet, despite his military successes, Jotham’s greatest strength lay in his faithfulness. Though the high places—the forbidden altars where some of his people still offered sacrifices—remained standing, Jotham himself never worshipped there. He kept his heart pure, entering the courts of the Temple to offer his prayers and sacrifices before the one true God.

The priests of the Lord marveled at his devotion, for unlike many kings who grew proud in their power, Jotham remained humble. He knew that his victories came not by sword or spear alone, but by the hand of the Almighty. His reign was a golden age of stability, where justice was upheld, and the people flourished under righteous rule.

### **The Legacy of Jotham**

For sixteen years, Jotham reigned over Judah, his days marked by prosperity and divine favor. When at last he closed his eyes in death, his body was laid to rest in the royal tombs of the City of David, his name honored among the kings of Judah. His son, Ahaz, would succeed him—a son who, tragically, would not walk in his father’s ways.

Yet the memory of Jotham endured, a beacon of faithfulness in a time when many kings turned away from the Lord. His life stood as a testament to the truth that those who honor God will be honored in turn, their deeds remembered, their legacy unshaken.

And so, the chronicles of Judah recorded his story with reverence: *Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God.* (2 Chronicles 27:6)