2 Chronicles 26

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 26

1¶ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

2He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

3Sixteen years old [was] Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

4And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

5And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

6And he went 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.

7And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.

8And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad [even] to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened [himself] exceedingly.

9Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning [of the wall], and fortified them.

10Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen [also], and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

11Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, [one] of the king's captains.

12The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour [were] two thousand and six hundred.

13And under their hand [was] an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

14And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings [to cast] stones.

15And 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. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

16¶ But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to [his] destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, [that were] valiant men:

18And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, [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: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither [shall it be] for thine honour from the LORD God.

19Then Uzziah was wroth, and [had] a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.

20And 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; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, [being] a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son [was] over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

23So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Uzziah began his reign at sixteen, doing right in the sight of the Lord and prospering greatly through seeking God. He achieved military victories, fortified Jerusalem, and developed agriculture, becoming exceedingly strong. However, his heart was lifted up, leading him to unlawfully enter the temple to burn incense. For this transgression, the Lord smote him with leprosy, which afflicted him until his death, isolating him from the temple and the public.

Medium Summary

Uzziah ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of sixteen, reigning for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. He was initially righteous, seeking God's counsel through Zechariah, which led to significant prosperity and divine assistance. Under his rule, Judah achieved military dominance, conquering Philistine cities, receiving tribute from Ammon, and extending its influence. Uzziah also undertook extensive building projects, fortifying Jerusalem and developing agricultural infrastructure with a large, well-equipped army and innovative war engines. However, his strength led to pride and a grave transgression: he presumptuously entered the temple to burn incense, an act reserved for the consecrated priests. Confronted by Azariah and eighty priests, Uzziah became enraged, and immediately leprosy appeared on his forehead. Consequently, he was expelled from the temple and lived as a leper until his death, cut off from public life and the house of the Lord, with his son Jotham managing the kingdom.

Long Summary

King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, began his reign over Judah at the age of sixteen, succeeding his father Amaziah, and ruled for fifty-two years from Jerusalem. He was initially commended for doing what was right in the sight of the LORD, particularly during the time he sought God through Zechariah, who was skilled in divine visions. As long as Uzziah sought the LORD, he experienced remarkable prosperity and divine assistance. His reign was marked by significant military achievements, including successful campaigns against the Philistines, where he broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and established new cities. God also aided him against the Arabians and Mehunims, and the Ammonites paid tribute, extending his influence to the borders of Egypt. Uzziah further strengthened his kingdom through extensive building projects, constructing towers in Jerusalem at strategic gates and fortifying them. He also developed the desert regions by building towers and digging many wells to support his vast cattle holdings, demonstrating his love for husbandry. His military might was formidable, boasting an army of over three hundred thousand well-organized and equipped fighting men, prepared with shields, spears, helmets, habergeons, bows, and slings. Furthermore, Uzziah commissioned the invention of advanced war engines in Jerusalem, designed to shoot arrows and great stones from towers and bulwarks, which greatly enhanced his defenses. His fame spread widely because he was "marvellously helped, till he was strong." However, this period of strength led to his downfall, as his heart became lifted up to his destruction. He transgressed against the LORD by entering the temple to burn incense upon the altar, an act reserved solely for the consecrated priests of the lineage of Aaron. Azariah the chief priest, accompanied by eighty valiant priests, confronted Uzziah, admonishing him for his trespass and warning him of dishonour from God. In his wrath, while holding the censer, leprosy instantly broke out on Uzziah's forehead before the priests. The priests immediately thrust him out, and Uzziah himself hastened to depart, recognizing the Lord's judgment. He remained a leper until his death, dwelling in a separate house and cut off from the house of the LORD, with his son Jotham taking over the administration of the kingdom. Isaiah the prophet recorded his acts, and Uzziah was buried in a separate field due to his leprosy.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ProsperityUzziah's early reign was characterized by great success and expansion, directly attributed to his seeking the Lord and doing what was right in His sight.
  • Military InnovationUzziah significantly strengthened Judah's military, not only by organizing a large army but also by developing advanced war engines for defense, demonstrating strategic foresight.
  • Hubris and TransgressionDespite his prosperity, Uzziah's heart was "lifted up," leading him to presume upon the sacred duties of the priesthood by attempting to burn incense in the temple.
  • Priestly AuthorityThe priests, led by Azariah, valiantly confronted King Uzziah, asserting their divinely appointed authority and the exclusive right of the sons of Aaron to perform sacred rites.
  • Divine JudgmentUzziah's act of sacrilege was immediately met with divine punishment, as leprosy broke out on his forehead, serving as a visible sign of God's displeasure and a consequence for his transgression.
  • Isolation and SuccessionAs a leper, Uzziah was cut off from the temple and public life, dwelling in a separate house until his death, which necessitated his son Jotham taking over the practical rule of the kingdom.