Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 KINGS 15:36KJV
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2 Kings 15:36 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:36 mean?

2 Kings 15:36 says that the rest of King Jotham’s actions and everything he did are recorded in another historical book called “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah.” This verse signals the end of Jotham’s story in this part of the Bible and points readers to another source for more details about his reign.

The writer is summarizing Jotham’s rule as king of Judah and wrapping up his account before moving on to the next king. The “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” was likely an official royal record, now lost, where the full history of each king’s reign was kept. This kind of note is common in Kings, showing the Bible’s focus on the main spiritual and historical points rather than every detail.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:36

  • “rest” (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means “the remainder” or “what is left.” It points out that not everything about Jotham is included in the Bible’s account—there is more to his story elsewhere.
  • “acts” (דָּבָר, davar): While often translated as “acts” or “deeds,” this word can also mean “words” or “matters.” Here, it refers to the events and accomplishments of Jotham’s reign.
  • “chronicles” (דָּבָר, davar; יָמִים, yamim): The phrase “book of the chronicles” uses both “davar” (matters) and “yamim” (days), suggesting a record of the events or “matters of the days” of the kings. This highlights that the record was a day-by-day or event-by-event account, not just a summary.

Why 2 Kings 15:36 matters

  • This verse reminds readers that the Bible’s account is selective, focusing on what the writer saw as most important for faith and history, not every detail of every king’s life.
  • By referencing another written record, the verse shows that the people of Judah kept detailed historical records outside the Bible, giving a glimpse into how history was preserved in ancient Israel.
  • The verse serves as a transition, closing the chapter on Jotham’s reign and preparing readers for the next king’s story, which is a common pattern in the books of Kings.