(2) Howbeit he entered not.—The chronicler adds this reservation upon the preceding general statement. The author of Kings, having said nothing of Uzziah’s sacrilege, had no need to make such an exception.

And the people did yet corruptly.—Still used to deal corruptly; a paraphrase of what we read in 2Kings 15:35, “the people still used to sacrifice and burn incense on the high places.” We know further, from the extant utterances of the prophets of those days, that a deep-seated moral corruption was sapping the strength of the nation. (Comp. Micah 3:10-12; Hosea 4:1-2.)

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.This short chapter runs parallel with 2 Kings marginal reference), and is taken mainly from the same source or sources which it amplifies. 2. he did that which was right—The general rectitude of his government is described by representing it as conducted on the excellent principles which had guided the early part of his father's reign.

the people did yet corruptly—(See 2Ki 15:35); but the description here is more emphatic, that though Jotham did much to promote the good of his kingdom and aimed at a thorough reformation in religion, the widespread and inveterate wickedness of the people frustrated all his laudable efforts.

He entered not into the temple of the Lord, to wit, to offer incense. But seeing this was not commendable, how is this mentioned as an exception from the foregoing character, that he did as his father did in that which was right, &c.?

Answ. It is an exception only from the last clause, where also one word may be supplied out of the foregoing words, as is most usual in Scripture; thus, He did

according to all that his father Uzziah did; then it fitly follows, howbeit, &c., i.e. except in his miscarriages.

And he did that which was right,.... See Gill on 2 Kings 15:34,

howbeit, he entered not into the temple of the Lord; to burn incense, as his father did; he did according to his good ways, but not his evil ones:

and the people did yet corruptly; in sacrificing and burning incense in the high places, 2 Kings 15:35 which some think Joash himself did, and is meant in the preceding clause; but the sense given is best.

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the {a} temple of the LORD. And the people did yet {b} corruptly.

(a) That is, to offer incense against the word of God, which is spoken of in the commendation of Jotham.

(b) They were not completely purged from idolatry.