2 Chronicles 26
PATVcr. 20. But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. God blinds the minds of those whom he intends to destroy for (heir sins. Vcr. 21. So Joash the king of Israel tvent up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which beloiiged to Judah.] For thero was another Bcth-shemcsh in the tribe of Naphtali, (Josh. xix. 38. Judg. i. 33.) Vcr. 22. And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.’] These two verses are iu the same words, 2 Kings xiv. 11, 12. Vcr, 23. And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, from the gate ofEphraim to the corner-gate, four hundred cubits.] See there, ver. 13. Vcr. 24. And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were fomid in the house of God with Obed- Edom.] The Targum here explains it, that Obcd-Edom consecrated these vessels to God’s service, when David brought the ark to his house; and God blessed him for his care in looking after it. But Kimchi judges better, who takes Obed-Edom to have been set over theso treasures, in the custody of which his son succeeded him. And the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.] These hostages the Targum takes for the sons of the principal men of the city, with whom the generality of the Hebrew interpreters agree. So Jarchi; the children of Israel did not restore to Amaziah the kingdom of Judah, but upon* condition, that he should give him the children of great men for a security of his fidelity, and that he should not rebel against him hereafter.
2 Chronicles 26:1
1 IiqN all tfye people of Judah took Uzziah. Who was called also Azariah, 2 Kings xiv. 21. xv. 1. Digitized by M Wlio was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.] They made him king when he was sixteen years old; for his father left him an infant of four years old: so that there was an interregnum of tw r clvc years; the kingdom being administered by a viceroy, or by the high-priest and the elders. (See Ludovicus Capellus, in his Chronologia Sacra, p. 182.)
2 Chronicles 26:2
He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. He repaired it, after he had retaken it from the Israelites: this being, I suppose, ono of the cities, that the soldiers, whom his father Amaziah dismissed, had taken, (2 Kings xiv. 22.) and which, while he lived, he could not recover.
2 Chronicles 26:3
Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and lie reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem: his mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. Vcr. 4. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.] These two verses aro the very same with those 2 Kings xv. 2, 3. (See there.)
2 Chronicles 26:5
And he sought God in the days ofZechariah. He persisted in the true religion, as long as Zcchariah lived. By whom is not meant him whose book of prophecies is extant in the Bible, for ho lived three hundred years after; nor the son of Jehoiada, who was slain some years ago: but, it is probable, the son of that Zcchariah, who was called after his father’s name, and was eminent for his Divine wisdom. Who had understanding in the visions of God.’] It is not said he was a prophet, but that he was a man very skilful in expounding the ancient prophecies, and giving instruction out of them, as Grotius understands it. And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.] Of which he gives instances in the following verses. Vcr. 6. And he tvent forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.] From this verse unto the fifteenth, this Divine writer shews how excellent a prince this was, and how God prospered him, while he continued truly religious. For he was skilled in husbandry as well as in warlike affairs: and was very solicitous for the good of his people. The former of theso is mentioned ver. 10. and the other in the rest of the verses: which tell us, how prudently he demolished all the fortifications of his enemies on the frontiers; and provided his own frontiers with works, garrisons, arms, and engines of war.
2 Chronicles 26:7
And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians tliat dwelt in Gur-baal, and theMehununs. I have noted often before, that these Mehunims were a peoplo in Arabia Dcserta. See 1 Chron. iv. 41. 2 Chron. xx. 1. Judg. x. 11, 12. of which this place gives a clear proof.
2 Chronicles 26:8
And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah. Made him presents, that they might preserve his friendship. And his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly^] His power grew so very great, that he was formidable, not only to the Philistines in the west, and to the Arabians and others in the cast, but to the borders of Egypt in tho south.
2 Chronicles 26:9
Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem, at icrosoft ® CHAP. XXVI. THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. the comer-gate, and at the valley-gate, and at the turning of the tvall, and fortified them.’] In his father’s time the wall of Jerusalem was broken down four hundred cubits, as we read in the foregoing chapter, ver. 23. which, it is likely, was built again before this time. But Uzziah, made it stronger by towers, which he built for its defence. One of which was at that very gate where the breach ended, viz. the comer-gate. -.:.<'.
2 Chronicles 26:10
Also he built towers in the desert,. To defend the shepherds from the sudden incursions of their enemies: particularly the Arabs, who had formerly broken in upon them, (xxi. 1G.) And digged many wells: for he had muck cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains; husbandmen also, and vine-dressers in the mountains.] Some therefore take the towers forcmentioncd to have been country-houses, where husbandmen dwelt; and where their cattle in hard weather were sheltered; and the fruits of the earth were laid up. f And in Carmel.] By this is not meant the famous mount of that name (for that was not in the tribe of Judah), but a very fertile country,- as the.word Carmel signifies in several places, (Isa.xvi. 10. Jer. ii. 7. xlviii. 33.) For he loved husbandry.] As the greatest men (I have often observed) did in ancient times, and followed the plough, and fed cattle themselves. (See 1 Kings xix.19.)
2 Chronicles 26:11
Moreover, Uzziah had a host of fighting men that went out to roar by bands. They were sent out by parties, several ways, for it appears by what follows they were very numerous.. According to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe.] He was the secretary of war (as wenow speak), who took an account of the several bands of men that went out, and of the number whereof they consisted. And Maaseiah the ruler, xmder the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.].These two, I suppose, were great officers, who were to oversee Jeiel; that there was no fraud in his account. i I A
2 Chronicles 26:12
The ivhole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. This is sufficient to shew he had a very great army (there being so many principal persons employed to command them); but a particular account is given of them in the next verse..’ v’:’ s’:\
2 Chronicles 26:13
And under their hand was an army, three Amidred thousand, and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. Perhaps these were a standing force, ready torepel their enemies if they invaded them; besides that host, which went forth by bands, to annoy their enemies on all sides: (ver. 11.) and then he was grown much more powerful than his father. (See xxv. 5.)
2 Chronicles 26:14
And Uzziah prepared for them, throughout all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, % and bows, and slings to cast stones. All sorts of arms; both defensive and. offensive: but here is no mention of swords; with which, I suppose, all the people were always provided.
2 Chronicles 26:15
And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented, by cunning men, to be on the towers, and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. The Targum by these engines understands towers perforated: whereas the text plainly tells us. they were engines, out of which they shot arrows and threw stones, from the towers and from the walls. Bochartus thinks the word properly imports, they were contrived for the projection of stones, (lib. iii. of his Phaleg.’ cap. 7. and in his Canaan, lib. i. cap. 35.) And Ids name spread far abroad.] Beyoiid the entering in of Egypt,(ver. 8.) unto distant countries.. For he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.]‘God aided him so wonderfully in all his undertakings, that he feared no enemy, (ver. 7.) > >. >*.
2 Chronicles 26:16
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction. To the loss of all his authority. How hard is it to bear great prosperity with moderation and humble thankfulness! For he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.] What should tempt him to this folly, it is hard to give an account. Perhaps he had a vain ambition to imitate heathen princes; who in many places executed the priesthood also. And Jacobus Capellus thinks, that which puffed him up with pride was, that he had not only a son, viz. Jotham,but a grandson, Ahaz: (ad A.M. 3231.)
2 Chronicles 26:17
And Azariah the priest tvent in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men. See my annotations on 1 Chron. vi. 10.’ Ver.,18. And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto hint.] It.is plain by this, that they did not withstand his attempt by force of arms: but by reasons/ persuasions, and exhortations. And, perhaps, they surrounded the altar, so that he could not, without offering violence to them, approach it. - i. “w f ^’ « i« wo It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense.] They represented to him, that be invaded the office of the priests, who were consecrated to this service: which he was not, and therefore ought not to meddle with it. \ < \ ft ill \. »’*». Go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed.] He had gone too far already, in going into the holy place; whereby he had offended the Divine Majesty: but they beseech him to proceed no further. Neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.] They represent to him, that he could get no honour, but lose very much by aspiring to this dignity of the priesthood, which the Lord had placed in other hands. Ver 19. Tlien Uzziah was wroth; and had a ceristr inhis hand to burriincense.] Which he would not lay aside upon their admonition: but fell into a great passion, because he was hindered in that which he designed. And while he was tvroth tvith the priests.] And, perhaps, threatening that he would have his will. Tlie leprosy even rose up in his forehead.] Where it could not be concealed,- but was apparent to all that were present.. l " Before the priests in thehouse of the Lord, from beside the incense-altar.] Where they stood to keep him from it..
2 Chronicles 26:20
Arid Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence. There was no need to use force to thrust him out, for he hasted himself, as it follows, to be gone: therefore they only admonished him most earnestly to depart, because the law permitted not a 4N
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, fifteen years. See upon 2 Kings xiv. 17. Vcr. 26. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?] See there, vcr. 18.
Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him,- and slew him there.] He turned from God before the death of Joash; therefore this conspiracy was laid a great while before it was discovered; and then he fled to Lachish, where it took effect. Or, as Jacobus Capcllus conjectures (in his Hist. Sacra ct Exotica), the wars abroad put a stop to this sedition at home; but when they were over, and he returned homo, and had a son, then the conspiracy was renewed again, under the specious name of being guardians to the young prince, and taking better care of him than his father was likely to do.
And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah. That is, in the city pf David, as it is explained 1 Kings xiv. 20.