So Jotham became mighty. — The chronicler’s customary phrase. “Strengthened himself,” “gained strength” (2 Chronicles 13:21).
Because he prepared. — For he directed his ways (Proverbs 21:29; comp. also 2 Chronicles 12:14; 2 Chronicles 20:33). Jotham directed his ways “before,” i.e., in the chronicler’s usage, “to meet,” “towards” Jehovah his God. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:17; 1 Samuel 7:3.) “Direct your heart towards Jehovah.” Perhaps, however, “before” simply means “as in the sight of” Jehovah. (Comp. Genesis 17:1, “walk before me.”)
The verse is a moral reflection of the writer on the preceding facts.