2 Chronicles 26

Uzzia succeedeth in the room of his Father Amazia, vers. 1, &c. reigneth well in the days of Zacharia, 4. Obtaineth great victories over his Enemies, 6. Furnisheth the city of Jerusalem, and his own house, 9. Strengtheneth his kingdom with souldiers, arms and artificial Engines forward, 11. He transgresseth in attempting to burn incense before the LORD, 16. For which he is punished with Leprosy, 19. He dieth, and Jotham his son reigneth, 23.

1. Then all the people of Juda took Uzzia, [Called also Azaria, 2 Kings 14:21.] (who was now sixteen years old) [Hebr. a son of sixteen years; and so in the sequel] and made him king in the room of his Father Amazia. [to wit, when his Father Amazia fled to Lachis. See 2 Kings 14on vers.21.]

2. The same built Eloth, [Called also Elath, 2 Kings 14:22. See of this city, 1 Kings 9.on vers.26.] and brought it again to Juda, after that the king was fallen asleep with his Fathers. [see 2 kings 14.22.]

3. Uzzia was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned two and fifty years at Jerusalem: And his mothers name was Jecholia of Jerusalem. [Compare 2 Kings 15:2.]

4. And he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, [that is, he set up, and maintained the pure worship of God, which was fallen to decay about the end of Amazia’s reign] according to all that his Father Amazia had done. [in the government of his kingdom he did not only follow the footsteps of his Father, but was also become like unto him in the last. But as his Father Amazia, after that he had overcome the Edomites, fell to idolatry, above chap.25.14. so likewise did Uzzia, after that he became mighty and succesfull, fall into his presumption, that he would entrench upon the Priests office, bel.vers.16.]

5. For he gave himself to seek God, [Hebr. he was to seek God. What it is to seek God, see above chap.11.on v.16. Understand that he was busy of wholly taken up in seeking of God] in the days of Zacharia, who was understanding [oth. Who made (him) understanding: that is, who taught and instructed him: for the Hebrew word signifieth not only to have understanding, and to be understanding; but also sometimes to make another wise and understanding, by good doctrine and instruction] in the visions of God: [oth. In the fears of God. Understand by visions here, the whole doctrine of that which was to be believed, and practised unto salvation, revealed by Moseh, and the rest of the Prophets, and by them daily whetted upon the people, expounded and applied unto them] now in the days that he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

6. For he marched forth, and warred against the Philistines, and brake (down) the wall of Gath, [See of this city, 1 Kings 2.on v.39.] and the wall of Jabne, [a city of Philistines by the midland sea] and the wall of Asdod: [also a city in the land of the Philistines: of which see Josh.11.22. and 15.46. 1 Sam.5.1.] moreover he built cities in Asdod, [understand the country belonging to the city of Asdod] and among the Philistines.

7. And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians which dwelt at Garbaal, [A place lying south-ward of Judea, as the Philistines were west-ward of it, and the Ammonites East-ward] and (against) the mountains. [the name of a certain country and people.]

8. And the Ammonites, [See above chap.20.on vers.1.] gave gifts to Uzzia, and his name went to the entering in of Egypt: [That is, he became very famous and renowned. Compare 1 Chron.14.17. and bel.vers.15. of this chapter, Ezek.16.14.] For he strengthened himself in the highest (degree.) [the word in the original is likewise so taken, 1 Chron.14.2. and 23.17. and 29.25. 2 Chron.1.1.]

9. Moreover, Uzzia built towers at Jerusalem, [To wit, at the walls, which Joas the King of Israel in Amazia’s time had broken down, above chap.25.23.] at the corner gate, [Hebr. the gate of the corner. See 2 Kin.14.on vers.13.] and at the valley-gate. [Hebr. the gate of the valley. See of this gate, Nehem.2.13. and 3.13.] and at the corners: [or, turnings; to wit, of the wall. Others keep the word Mikzoa, as the proper name of a tower or strong hold standing in the highest part of the city of David. See hereof also, Neh.3.vers.19.24.] and he fortified them.

10. Also he built towers in the wilderness, [Namely, of Arabia, to prevent and hinder the inrodes from thence, which were made in the days of Joram, above chap 21.16.] and digged many well, [wherein they gathered and kept water for the use both of man and beast] because he had much cattle, both in the low grounds and in the plains; Husband-men, and vine-dressers on the mountains, and on the fruitful fields: [oth. Carmel; that is, in the Region or country belonging to the city of Carmel, lying by the wilderness of Moan, in the tribe of Juda, very fruitfull, and abounding with great store of fruits ands vineyards. Elsewhere Carmel is a mountain lying in the tribe of Issaschar, exceeding well planted, sowen, and very fruitfull. See 1 Kings.18.on vers.19. from whence in ariseth that fruitfull countries are called a Carmel. See 2 Kings 19.on ver.23.] for he was a lover of husbandry.

11. Moreover, Uzzia had an host of trained (men) for war [Understand some ordinary bands of souldiers, which the King had in readiness for any urgent occasion that might happen. Compare 1 Chron.27. and above cha.17.14.] marching out to war by hands, according to thye number of their mustering, by the hand of Jeiel the Scribe, and Mahaseja the Ruler. [that is, which mustering was performed by means of Jeiel etc.] under the hand [that is, under the conduct. So vers.13.] of Hanania (one) of the kings Princes.

12. The whole number of the heads of the Fathers, [So above chap.23.2.] of the warlike champions, was two thousand and six hundred.

13. And under their hand was an army of three hundred thousand, and seven thousand, and five hundred, that with warlike power exercised themselves for war, [Hebr. doing war; that is, which practiced war, were sit for war, and trained up in it. See 1 Kings 12.on v.21.] to help the King against the Enemy.

14. And Uzzia prepared for them, for the whole host, shields, and spears, and helmes, and bows even unto the sling-stones. [that is, stones which they were to throw with the sling at the enemy. With such a sling-cast David hit the Giant Goliath in the forehead, that lie felled him down by it, 1 Sam.7.49. Compare Job 41:19.]

15. He made also at Jerusalem cunning works, the invention of cunning craftsman, [Hebr. devices by the devices of the devision; that is, artificial and well devised works, contrived by the skilful invention of a cunning or skilful artist, or engineer] to be upon the towers and upon the corners, to shoot with arrows, and with great stones: So his name went far abroad: [see above on vers.8.] for he was name marvelously helped, [Hebr. he made it marvelously with, or, to be helped, to wit, of God, who is a shield to all those that trust in him, Psalms 18:31.] till he was strong. [or, strengthened; to wit, in his kingdom.]

16. But when he was grown strong, his heart was lifted up into destruction: And he transgressed against the LORD his God: For he went into the temple of the LORD, [Meaning into the holy place, where the altar of incense stood, and into which no man might come, much less offer incense, save the Priests only. This place is below vers.18. called the Sanctuary] to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

17. But Azaria the Priest [Meaning the high Priest. See 1 Chron.6.10. and below vers.20.] went after him: and with him fourscore Priests of the LORD, valiant men.

18. And they with stood king Uzzia, and said unto him; It pertaineth not to thee, Uzzia, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the Priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense; [compare Exod.30.7, etc. go out of the sanctuary, [see above on vers.16. where this sanctuary is called the temple. Compare 1 Kings 8:10. and the annotate.] for thou hast transgressed; neither shall it be for thine honor from the LORD God. [to wit, because he will not approve of it, but will surely punish it.]

19. Then Uzzia was wroth, [Of the Hebrew word see Gen.40.on vers.6.] and the incense was in his hand, to burn incense: Now when he was wroth against the Priests, the leprosy rose up in his forehead, before the face of the Priests, [some conceive that at that time the Earthquake happened: Of which see Amos.1.1. Zach.14.5. as a manifest proof of Gods anger against this King] in the house of the LORD, from above the altar of incense. [to wit, from the Lord, who seemeth to have shot something from above, or from beside this altar against the kings face, which caused or produced this leprosy.]

20. Then Azaria the head Priests, [Hebr. the Priest the head, to wit, of the Priests, that is, the chief Priest] and all the Priests looked upon him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him in hast from thence, yea he himself was also driven to go out, [compare Esth.6.vers.12.] because the LORD had plagued him.

21. Thus Uzzia the king was leprous unto the day of his death, and being leprous, dwelt in a separated house, [Lev.13.46. Num.5.2. and 12.14. See further 2 King.15.on v.5.] for was cut off from the house of the LORD: [that is, he was declared unclean, and was to dwell alone, and not permitted to come into the peoples court, into the public congregation, and that according to the law, Lev.13 46.] now Jotham his sons was over the Kings house, Judging [that is, governing, and executing Judgment. See 2 Kings 15.on ver 5.] the people of the Land.

22. Now the rest of the acts of Uzzia, the first, and the last, did Isaia the Prophet the son of Amoz write.

23. And Uzzia fell asleep with his fathers, and they buried him by his Fathers, in the field of the burial, which belonged to the kings; for they said, he is a leper: [That is, they buried him in the field, wherein the sepulchers of the kings were; howbeit, they buried not his body, because of the leprosy, in, or among those sepulchers, but in a distinct and separated place] and Jotham his son became king in his stead.