2 Chronicles 26 meaning explained in AI Summary
This chapter recounts the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah, highlighting both his successes and his downfall.
Early Success and Prosperity (vv. 1-15):
- Uzziah becomes king: At 16 years old, Uzziah is made king after his father Amaziah's death. He reigns for 52 years in Jerusalem.
- Military victories: Uzziah enjoys great military success, defeating the Philistines, Arabians, and Meunites. He fortifies Jerusalem and builds towers for defense.
- Agricultural and economic prosperity: Uzziah is presented as a wise and capable ruler who invests in agriculture, builds cisterns, and strengthens his army. His fame spreads far and wide.
Pride and Downfall (vv. 16-23):
- Uzziah's pride: As Uzziah's power and success grow, so does his pride. He enters the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved only for priests.
- Confrontation with the priests: 81 priests confront Uzziah, rebuking him for his transgression and ordering him to leave the temple.
- Uzziah's punishment: God strikes Uzziah with leprosy for his disobedience. He is forced to live in isolation for the rest of his life.
- Uzziah's legacy: Despite his downfall, Uzziah remains a powerful king. His son Jotham takes over administrative duties while Uzziah lives in a separate palace until his death.
Key Themes:
- The dangers of pride: Uzziah's story serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting nature of pride, even for those who achieve great things.
- The importance of obedience: Uzziah's downfall highlights the importance of obeying God's commands, even when they seem inconvenient or restrictive.
- God's judgment and mercy: While God punishes Uzziah for his sin, He also shows mercy by allowing him to remain king and providing for his care.
Overall, 2 Chronicles 26 presents a nuanced portrait of a king who achieved great things but ultimately fell from grace due to his pride. It serves as a reminder that true greatness comes from humility and obedience to God.
2 Chronicles 26 bible study ai commentary
2 Chronicles 26 presents the tragic downfall of a great king, Uzziah. It illustrates the principle that seeking God leads to divine blessing and success, while pride and transgression, particularly blurring the lines between royal and priestly authority, result in judgment and ruin. Uzziah's reign serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the corrosive effect of pride, even after a lifetime of faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 26 Context
The account of King Uzziah (also called Azariah in 2 Kings) takes place in the 8th century B.C. during a period of relative prosperity for the southern kingdom of Judah. It was the era of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea, whose writings often condemn the very materialism and military pride that characterized Uzziah's success. The central conflict of this chapter hinges on the strict separation of the roles of king and priest as defined in the Mosaic Law. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often held priestly authority, acting as the divine representative on earth. The Chronicler, writing to the post-exilic community, uses Uzziah’s story to reinforce that in Israel, the king is not divine but is under God's law and must respect the sanctity of the divinely ordained priesthood and Temple worship.
2 Chronicles 26:1-5
Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. Sixteen 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. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And 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 prosper.
In-depth-analysis
- Popular Choice: Uzziah was made king by "all the people," indicating broad support after his father Amaziah's assassination (2 Chr 25:27).
- Early Success: His first act noted is the strategic rebuilding of Eloth (Elath), a key port on the Red Sea, demonstrating administrative and military acumen. This secured a vital trade route.
- Long Reign: A 52-year reign signifies a period of stability and, as detailed later, immense prosperity.
- The Key to Success: Verse 5 is the theological core of the chapter. Uzziah’s prosperity is explicitly tied to his actively seeking God. The Hebrew for "sought" is darash, meaning to inquire, consult, and follow.
- Godly Counsel: His seeking of God was guided by a mentor, Zechariah (not the later prophet). This Zechariah had "understanding in the visions of God," highlighting the crucial role of godly counsel in a leader's life. Uzziah’s success was contingent on his submission to God’s guidance through this mentor.
Bible references
- 2 Chr 15:2: '...The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you...' (Explicitly states the principle governing Uzziah's reign).
- 2 Ki 15:1-4: 'In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam... Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign... he did what was right...' (The parallel account in Kings, using the name Azariah).
- Psa 1:2-3: '...his delight is in the law of the Lord... he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither...' (The principle of prospering through devotion to God).
Cross references
2 Chr 20:20 (believe His prophets, and you will prosper), Psa 37:3-5 (trust in the Lord and do good), Jer 29:13 (you will seek me and find me when you search with all your heart).
2 Chronicles 26:6-15
And he went forth and warred against the Philistines... And God helped him against the Philistines... And his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem... And Uzziah had an host of fighting men... And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears... and engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers... to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
In-depth-analysis
- Divine Help: The text explicitly states "God helped him" (v. 7), attributing his military victories over traditional enemies like the Philistines and Arabians directly to God.
- Massive Fortifications: Uzziah undertook extensive building projects, fortifying Jerusalem with towers and gates. He also built towers in the desert for agriculture, showing a focus on both military and economic strength.
- Advanced Military: His army was not only large (307,500 men under 2,600 chiefs) but also well-organized and technologically advanced, with "engines" (catapults) for defense. This was state-of-the-art warfare.
- Foreshadowing: The final phrase is crucial: "he was marvellously helped, till he was strong." This phrase acts as a literary pivot, foreshadowing that the very strength derived from God's help would become the source of his pride and the cause of his downfall. The divine help (
pala' - wonderful, miraculous) produced a human strength (
chazaq`) that became self-reliant.
Bible references
- Isa 2:15: '...against every high tower and against every fortified wall...' (Isaiah, Uzziah's contemporary, prophesied judgment against the very symbols of Judah's pride that Uzziah built).
- Deu 8:17-18: 'Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth...' (A warning Uzziah failed to heed).
- 1 Cor 10:12: 'Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.' (A New Testament echo of the principle Uzziah demonstrates).
Cross references
2 Chr 14:11-12 (Asa’s reliance on God for victory), 2 Chr 32:5 (Hezekiah strengthening defenses), Neh 4:16-18 (organizing builders and soldiers).
Polemics
Many scholars see Uzziah’s engineering prowess and military buildup not just as historical fact but as a polemic. At a time when Assyria was the rising superpower, Judah, under Uzziah, achieved a level of power that was remarkable. The Chronicler highlights this to show that Judah's security came from God's "marvelous help," not just human ingenuity, a stark contrast to the self-glorifying inscriptions of Assyrian kings.
2 Chronicles 26:16-21
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. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men... and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense... go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed... Then Uzziah was wroth... and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead... And they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death... and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
In-depth-analysis
- The Sin: The sin was pride leading to transgression (
ma'al
- a breach of faith, sacrilege). He attempted to perform a priestly duty—burning incense—reserved exclusively for the Aaronic priests. This was not a minor error; it was a defiant usurpation of sacred authority. - Priestly Courage: High Priest Azariah and 80 "valiant" priests courageously confronted the powerful king, upholding God's law over royal ambition. Their valor was in their faithfulness to God, not in military might.
- Instant Judgment: God's judgment was immediate and undeniable. Leprosy (Hebrew
tsara'ath
) erupted on his forehead—the most visible place—while he held the censer, an act of divine interruption at the very moment of his rage-fueled defiance. - Permanent Consequence: The leprosy was permanent, resulting in his isolation from society and, crucially, from the temple he had desecrated. He lived in a "separate house," functionally dethroned, with his son Jotham ruling as regent. The punishment fit the crime: he sought unlawful entry into God's house and was permanently barred from it.
Bible references
- Num 16:40: 'to be a reminder... that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his company...' (The exact law and historical precedent Uzziah violated).
- Heb 5:1, 4: 'For every high priest... is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God... And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.' (The NT affirms the principle of a divinely appointed, not self-appointed, priesthood).
- Num 12:9-10: '...and the cloud departed... and behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow...' (Miriam was struck with leprosy for challenging the unique authority of Moses, God's chosen leader).
Cross references
Pro 16:18 (pride goes before destruction), 1 Sam 13:8-14 (King Saul unlawfully offering a sacrifice), Lev 13:46 (the law regarding lepers dwelling alone), 2 Ki 5:27 (Gehazi struck with leprosy for greed).
2 Chronicles 26:22-23
Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write. So 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.
In-depth-analysis
- Prophetic Record: The mention of Isaiah as the official historian for Uzziah's reign connects this historical account directly with the prophetic ministry, adding weight and context to Isaiah's own writings.
- Dishonorable Burial: While buried "with his fathers," it was in the "field of the burial" belonging to the kings, not in the royal tombs themselves. This distinction highlights the enduring stigma of his sin. His leprosy made him ceremonially unclean even in death.
- The Final Word: The final epitaph given by the people was not about his strength, his towers, or his victories, but a stark, single-word identity: "He is a leper." His pride undid his entire legacy.
Bible references
- Isa 1:1: 'The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah...' (Confirms Isaiah's role as a prophet during Uzziah's reign).
- Isa 6:1: 'In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.' (A profoundly significant connection. As the leprous, prideful earthly king dies in shame, Isaiah gets a vision of the true, holy King of the universe, enthroned in glory. The earthly authority is humbled, and the heavenly authority is revealed).
Cross references
2 Chr 32:32 (Isaiah recording Hezekiah's acts), 1 Ki 11:41 (reference to other historical source books).
2 Chronicles chapter 26 analysis
- The King-Priest Dynamic: Uzziah's sin was attempting to unite the roles of king and priest in his own person. This foreshadows Jesus Christ, the one individual who rightfully holds both offices. He is the King from the line of David (royal tribe of Judah) and the eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7), not Aaron (Levitical). Uzziah's failure highlights Christ's unique perfection.
- Isaiah 6 and Uzziah's Death: The timing mentioned in Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died," is not a casual chronological note. It provides the theological context for Isaiah's call. The reign of Uzziah was one of material strength and military pride. His leprous, isolated end was a national trauma. In that moment of political vacuum and shame, God reveals to Isaiah that the true throne of power is not empty or defiled; it is occupied by the holy Lord of Hosts.
- The Chronicler's Message: For the post-exilic community rebuilding their nation and temple, Uzziah's story served as a critical lesson. It emphasized that fidelity to God’s specific commands regarding worship and authority was paramount. The success of the new Israel depended on respecting the boundaries God had set, especially for their leaders. Power must always be subordinate to piety.
2 Chronicles 26 summary
King Uzziah's 52-year reign is a narrative of two halves. The first half is marked by success and prosperity directly linked to his seeking God. The second is a tragic account of how strength and power led to pride, causing him to overstep his royal authority and usurp a priestly function. His resulting leprosy and isolated death serve as a stark biblical warning against pride and the violation of God's holy commands.
2 Chronicles 26 AI Image Audio and Video









2 Chronicles chapter 26 kjv
- 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.
- 2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
- 3 Sixteen 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.
- 4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
- 5 And 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.
- 6 And 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.
- 7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
- 8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
- 9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
- 10 Also 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.
- 11 Moreover 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.
- 12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valor were two thousand and six hundred.
- 13 And 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.
- 14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
- 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. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously 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.
- 17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
- 18 And 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 honor from the LORD God.
- 19 Then 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.
- 20 And 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.
- 21 And 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.
- 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
- 23 So 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.
2 Chronicles chapter 26 nkjv
- 1 Now all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
- 2 He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king rested with his fathers.
- 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
- 4 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
- 5 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 prosper.
- 6 Now he went out and made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities around Ashdod and among the Philistines.
- 7 God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and against the Meunites.
- 8 Also the Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.
- 9 And Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the corner buttress of the wall; then he fortified them.
- 10 Also he built towers in the desert. He dug many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains; he also had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil.
- 11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war by companies, according to the number on their roll as prepared by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.
- 12 The total number of chief officers of the mighty men of valor was two thousand six hundred.
- 13 And under their authority was an army of three hundred and seven thousand five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
- 14 Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones.
- 15 And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong.
- 16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- 17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the LORD?valiant men.
- 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the LORD God."
- 19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the incense altar.
- 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the LORD had struck him.
- 21 King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. Then Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
- 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz wrote.
- 23 So Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper." Then Jotham his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles chapter 26 niv
- 1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
- 2 He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his ancestors.
- 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem.
- 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.
- 5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.
- 6 He went to war against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.
- 7 God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal and against the Meunites.
- 8 The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.
- 9 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them.
- 10 He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
- 11 Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials.
- 12 The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600.
- 13 Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies.
- 14 Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army.
- 15 In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.
- 16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in.
- 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God."
- 19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.
- 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him.
- 21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house?leprous, and banned from the temple of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
- 22 The other events of Uzziah's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
- 23 Uzziah rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, "He had leprosy." And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.
2 Chronicles chapter 26 esv
- 1 And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
- 2 He built Eloth and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers.
- 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
- 4 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
- 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.
- 6 He went out and made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.
- 7 God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal and against the Meunites.
- 8 The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread even to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong.
- 9 Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the Angle, and fortified them.
- 10 And he built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
- 11 Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war, in divisions according to the numbers in the muster made by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders.
- 12 The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses of mighty men of valor was 2,600.
- 13 Under their command was an army of 307,500, who could make war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
- 14 And Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging.
- 15 In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.
- 16 But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- 17 But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the LORD who were men of valor,
- 18 and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the LORD God."
- 19 Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the LORD, by the altar of incense.
- 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the LORD had struck him.
- 21 And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son was over the king's household, governing the people of the land.
- 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz wrote.
- 23 And Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the burial field that belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper." And Jotham his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles chapter 26 nlt
- 1 All the people of Judah had crowned Amaziah's sixteen-year-old son, Uzziah, as king in place of his father.
- 2 After his father's death, Uzziah rebuilt the town of Elath and restored it to Judah.
- 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem.
- 4 He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done.
- 5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success.
- 6 Uzziah declared war on the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built new towns in the Ashdod area and in other parts of Philistia.
- 7 God helped him in his wars against the Philistines, his battles with the Arabs of Gur, and his wars with the Meunites.
- 8 The Meunites paid annual tribute to him, and his fame spread even to Egypt, for he had become very powerful.
- 9 Uzziah built fortified towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the angle in the wall.
- 10 He also constructed forts in the wilderness and dug many water cisterns, because he kept great herds of livestock in the foothills of Judah and on the plains. He was also a man who loved the soil. He had many workers who cared for his farms and vineyards, both on the hillsides and in the fertile valleys.
- 11 Uzziah had an army of well-trained warriors, ready to march into battle, unit by unit. This army had been mustered and organized by Jeiel, the secretary of the army, and his assistant, Maaseiah. They were under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king's officials.
- 12 These regiments of mighty warriors were commanded by 2,600 clan leaders.
- 13 The army consisted of 307,500 men, all elite troops. They were prepared to assist the king against any enemy.
- 14 Uzziah provided the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and sling stones.
- 15 And he built structures on the walls of Jerusalem, designed by experts to protect those who shot arrows and hurled large stones from the towers and the corners of the wall. His fame spread far and wide, for the LORD gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful.
- 16 But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the LORD his God by entering the sanctuary of the LORD's Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.
- 17 Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of the LORD, all brave men.
- 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is the work of the priests alone, the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned. The LORD God will not honor you for this!"
- 19 Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. But as he was standing there raging at the priests before the incense altar in the LORD's Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead.
- 20 When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because the LORD had struck him.
- 21 So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house, for he was excluded from the Temple of the LORD. His son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.
- 22 The rest of the events of Uzziah's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
- 23 When Uzziah died, he was buried with his ancestors; his grave was in a nearby burial field belonging to the kings, for the people said, "He had leprosy." And his son Jotham became the next king.
- Bible Book of 2 Chronicles
- 1 Solomon Worships at Gibeon
- 2 Preparing to Build the Temple
- 3 Solomon Builds the Temple
- 4 The Temple's Furnishings
- 5 The Ark Brought to the Temple
- 6 Solomon Blesses the People
- 7 Shekinah glory of God
- 8 Solomon's Accomplishments
- 9 The Queen of Sheba
- 10 The Revolt Against Rehoboam
- 11 Rehoboam Secures His Kingdom
- 12 Egypt Plunders Jerusalem
- 13 Abijah Reigns in Judah
- 14 King Asa of Judah
- 15 Asa's Religious Reforms
- 16 Asa's Last Years
- 17 Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
- 18 Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab
- 19 Jehoshaphat's Reforms
- 20 King Jehoshaphat's Prayer
- 21 Jehoram Reigns in Judah
- 22 Ahaziah Reigns in Judah
- 23 Joash Made King
- 24 King Joash Repairs the Temple
- 25 Amaziah Reigns in Judah
- 26 King Uzziah Reigns in Judah
- 27 Jotham Reigns in Judah
- 28 Ahaz Reigns in Judah
- 29 Hezekiah Reigns in Judah
- 30 Passover Celebrated
- 31 Hezekiah Organizes the Priests
- 32 Sennacherib Boasts Against the Lord
- 33 Manasseh Reigns in Judah
- 34 Josiah Reigns in Judah
- 35 Josiah Keeps the Passover
- 36 Judah's Decline