Overview of 2 Chronicles 27:1–28:27

Unlike the three preceding kings, who began well but became unfaithful, Jotham is portrayed as faithful throughout, with consequent success, whereas Ahaz is unfaithful from beginning to end, with disaster for Judah. These two kings illustrate how each generation is responsible for its own actions (cf. comment on 2 Chron. 25:1–4; Ezekiel 18).

After peace and prosperity during Uzziah’s long reign, the period of Jotham and Ahaz saw major geopolitical change. Assyria’s influence was resurgent under Tiglath-pileser III (745–727 BC; cf. 2 Chron. 28:16, 20–21), and Syria (Aram) was becoming stronger. The Chronicler is silent on any threat from the north during the reign of Jotham (ch. 27; cf. 2 Kings 15:37), telling rather of his success against the Ammonites across the Jordan because of his faithfulness (2 Chron. 27:5–6).

The dramatic developments affecting Judah that eventuated during Ahaz’s sixteen-year reign (ch. 28) are for the Chronicler the result of Ahaz’s unfaithfulness (28:1–5, 19). An attack by the alliance of Syria and Israel brought some devastation to Judah (28:5–8), and a weakened Judah was then attacked by Philistines and Edomites; Ahaz sought help from Assyria, which demanded tribute (28:16–21). Ahaz’s apostasy increased, even to shutting the doors of the temple (28:22–27).

Second Kings 15:8–31; 17:1–23 relates political turmoil in the kingdom of Israel and its complete defeat by the Assyrians, with much emphasis on religious apostasy in the north. In contrast, the Chronicler chooses not even to hint at those events, telling instead of positive God-honoring actions by northerners. In the middle of the account of Ahaz’s chaotic disastrous reign (2 Chronicles 28), the Chronicler inserts an orderly narrative of how it was people of Israel who listened to the words of a “prophet of the Lord” and treated captives from Judah well, bringing them back to their kinsfolk (28:8–15).