Teks -- 2 Chronicles 26:1-23 (NET)

Uzziah’s Reign

26:1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in his father Amaziah’s place. 26:2 Uzziah built up Elat and restored it to Judah after King Amaziah had passed away. 26:3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah, who was from Jerusalem. 26:4 He did what the Lord approved, just as his father Amaziah had done. 26:5 He followed God during the lifetime of Zechariah, who taught him how to honor God. As long as he followed the Lord, God caused him to succeed. 26:6 Uzziah attacked the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. He built cities in the region of Ashdod and throughout Philistine territory. 26:7 God helped him in his campaigns against the Philistines, the Arabs living in Gur Baal, and the Meunites. 26:8 The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah and his fame reached the border of Egypt, for he grew in power. 26:9 Uzziah built and fortified towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, Valley Gate, and at the Angle. 26:10 He built towers in the desert and dug many cisterns, for he owned many herds in the lowlands and on the plain. He had workers in the fields and vineyards in the hills and in Carmel, for he loved agriculture. 26:11 Uzziah had an army of skilled warriors trained for battle. They were organized by divisions according to the muster rolls made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer under the authority of Hananiah, a royal official. 26:12 The total number of family leaders who led warriors was 2,600. 26:13 They commanded an army of 307,500 skilled and able warriors who were ready to defend the king against his enemies. 26:14 Uzziah supplied shields, spears, helmets, breastplates, bows, and slingstones for the entire army. 26:15 In Jerusalem he made war machines carefully designed to shoot arrows and large stones from the towers and corners of the walls. He became very famous, for he received tremendous support and became powerful. 26:16 But once he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. He disobeyed the Lord his God. He entered the Lord’s temple to offer incense on the incense altar. 26:17 Azariah the priest and eighty other brave priests of the Lord followed him in. 26:18 They confronted King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not proper for you, Uzziah, to offer incense to the Lord. That is the responsibility of the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who are consecrated to offer incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have disobeyed and the Lord God will not honor you!” 26:19 Uzziah, who had an incense censer in his hand, became angry. While he was ranting and raving at the priests, a skin disease appeared on his forehead right there in front of the priests in the Lord’s temple near the incense altar. 26:20 When Azariah the high priest and the other priests looked at him, there was a skin disease on his forehead. They hurried him out of there; even the king himself wanted to leave quickly because the Lord had afflicted him. 26:21 King Uzziah suffered from a skin disease until the day he died. He lived in separate quarters, afflicted by a skin disease and banned from the Lord’s temple. His son Jotham was in charge of the palace and ruled over the people of the land. 26:22 The rest of the events of Uzziah’s reign, from start to finish, were recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 26:23 Uzziah passed away and was buried near his ancestors in a cemetery belonging to the kings. (This was because he had a skin disease.) His son Jotham replaced him as king.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Ch 26:10 - Towers

To guard his cattle from the inroads which the Arabians were accustomed to make: and to give notice of the approach of any enemy.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:16 - Into Jerusalem

Into the holy place, where the altar of incense stood, and into which none but the priests might enter, much less offer incense.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:18 - Withstood

Heb. stood up against Uzziah, not by force, or laying hands upon him to restrain him, for in the next verse you still find the censer in his hand; but only by admonition and reproof, which follows.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:18 - Neither, &c.

Expect that God will punish thee, or put some brand of infamy upon thee for this presumption. But this they express modestly, because they considered that he to whom they spake, though an offender, was their sovereign.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:19 - His forehead

So that he could not hide his shame: though it is probable it was also in the rest of his body.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:19 - From beside

By a stroke from an invisible hand coming from the altar; that he might be assured this was the effect of God's displeasure.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:20 - Thrust

Not by force, which needed not, for he voluntarily hasted away, as it follows; but by vehement persuasions and denunciations of God's farther judgments upon him, if he did not depart.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:21 - His death

God would have this leprosy to be incurable, as a lasting monument of his anger against such presumptuous invaders of the priest's office.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:21 - Dwelt, &c.

As he was obliged to do by law, which he durst not now resist, being under the hand of God, and under the fear of worse plagues, if he did not so.

Wesley: 2Ch 26:21 - For

He dwelt in a several house, because he might not come into the temple or courts, nor consequently into any publick assembly. So the punishment answered the sin, as face does to face in a glass. He thrust himself into the temple of God, whether the priests only had admission: and for that was thrust out of the very courts of the temple, into which the meanest of, his subjects might enter. He invaded the dignity of the priesthood, to which he had no right, and is for that deprived of the royal dignity, to which he had an undoubted right.

JFB: 2Ch 26:1 - Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah

(See on 2Ki 14:21; 2Ki 15:1).

JFB: 2Ch 26:2 - He built Eloth

Or, "He it was who built Eloth." The account of the fortifications of this port on the Red Sea, which Uzziah restored to the kingdom of Judah (2Ch 33:13), is placed before the chronological notices (2Ch 26:3), either on account of the importance attached to the conquest of Eloth, or from the desire of the historian to introduce Uzziah as the king, who was known as the conqueror of Eloth. Besides, it indicates that the conquest occurred in the early part of his reign, that it was important as a port, and that Hebrew merchants maintained the old trade between it and the countries of the East [BERTHEAU].

JFB: 2Ch 26:5 - he sought God in the days of Zechariah

A wise and pious counsellor, who was skilled in understanding the meaning and lessons of the ancient prophecies, and who wielded a salutary influence over Uzziah.

JFB: 2Ch 26:6-7 - he went forth and warred against the Philistines

He overcame them in many engagements--dismantled their towns, and erected fortified cities in various parts of the country, to keep them in subjection.

JFB: 2Ch 26:6-7 - Jabneh

The same as Jabneel (Jos 15:11).

JFB: 2Ch 26:7 - Gur-baal

Thought by some to be Gerar, and by others Gebal.

JFB: 2Ch 26:8 - the Ammonites gave gifts

The countries east of the Jordan became tributary to him, and by the rapid succession and extent of his victories, his kingdom was extended to the Egyptian frontier.

JFB: 2Ch 26:9 - Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem, &c.

Whence resistance could be made, or missiles discharged against assailants. The sites of the principal of these towers were: at the corner gate (2Ch 25:23), the northwest corner of the city; at the valley gate on the west, where the Joppa gate now is; at the "turning"--a curve in the city wall on the eastern side of Zion. The town, at this point, commanded the horse gate which defended Zion and the temple hill on the southeast [BERTHEAU].

JFB: 2Ch 26:10 - Also he built towers in the desert

For the threefold purpose of defense, of observation, and of shelter to his cattle. He dug also a great many wells, for he loved and encouraged all branches of agriculture. Some of these "were in the desert," that is, in the district to the southeast of Jerusalem, on the west of the Dead Sea, an extensive grazing district "in the low country" lying between the mountains of Judah and the Mediterranean; "and in the plains," east of the Jordan, within the territory of Reuben (Deu 4:43; Jos 20:8).

JFB: 2Ch 26:10 - in Carmel

This mountain, being within the boundary of Israel, did not belong to Uzziah; and as it is here placed in opposition to the vine-bearing mountains, it is probably used, not as a proper name, but to signify, as the word denotes, "fruitful fields" (Margin).

JFB: 2Ch 26:11-15 - an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands

He raised a strong body of militia, divided into companies or regiments of uniform size, which served in rotation. The enumeration was performed by two functionaries expert in the drawing up of military muster-rolls, under the superintendence of Hananiah, one of the high officers of the crown. The army consisted of 307,500 picked men, under the command of two thousand gallant officers, chiefs or heads of fathers' houses, so that each father's house formed a distinct band. They were fully equipped with every kind of military accoutrements, from brazen helmets, a habergeon or coat of mail, to a sling for stones.

JFB: 2Ch 26:15 - he made . . . engines, invented by cunning men . . . to shoot arrows and great stones

This is the first notice that occurs in history of the use of machines for throwing projectiles. The invention is apparently ascribed to the reign of Uzziah, and PLINY expressly says they originated in Syria.

JFB: 2Ch 26:15 - he was marvellously helped till he was strong

He conducted himself as became the viceroy of the Divine King, and prospered.

JFB: 2Ch 26:16-21 - he transgressed against the Lord, &c.

(See on 2Ki 15:5). This daring and wicked act is in both records traced to the intoxicating influence of overweening pride and vanity. But here the additional circumstances are stated, that his entrance was opposed, and strong remonstrances made (1Ch 6:10) by the high priest, who was accompanied by eighty inferior priests. Rage and threats were the only answers he deigned to return, but God took care to vindicate the sacredness of the priestly office. At the moment the king lifted the censer, He struck him with leprosy. The earthquake mentioned (Amo 1:1) is said to have been felt at the moment [JOSEPHUS].

JFB: 2Ch 26:21 - dwelt in a several house

In an infirmary [BERTHEAU].

JFB: 2Ch 26:23 - they buried him . . . in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings

He was interred not in, but near, the sepulcher of the kings, as the corpse of a leper would have polluted it.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:1 - The people of Judah took Uzziah

The people of Judah took Uzziah - They all agreed to place this son on his father’ s throne.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:2 - He built Eloth

He built Eloth - See the notes on 2Ki 14:21. This king is called by several different names; see the note on 2Ki 15:1.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:5 - In the days of Zechariah

In the days of Zechariah - Who this was we know not, but by the character that is given of him here. He was wise in the visions of God - in giving the true interpretation of Divine prophecies. He was probably the tutor of Uzziah.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:7 - And God helped him

And God helped him - "And the Word of the Lord helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gerar, and the plains of Meun."- Targum. These are supposed to be the Arabs which are called the Meuneons, or Munites, or Meonites.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:8 - The Ammonites gave gifts

The Ammonites gave gifts - Paid an annual tribute.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:10 - Built towers in the desert

Built towers in the desert - For the defense of his flocks, and his shepherds and husbandmen

Clarke: 2Ch 26:10 - And in Carmel

And in Carmel - Calmet remarks that there were two Carmels in Judea: one in the tribe of Judah, where Nabal lived, and the other on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, near to Kishon; and both fertile in vines

Clarke: 2Ch 26:10 - He loved husbandry

He loved husbandry - This is a perfection in a king: on husbandry every state depends. Let their trade or commerce be what they may, there can be no true national prosperity if agriculture do not prosper; for the king himself is served by the field. When, therefore, the king of a country encourages agriculture, an emulation is excited among his subjects; the science is cultivated; and the earth yields its proper increase; then, should trade and commerce fail, the people cannot be reduced to wretchedness, because there is plenty of bread.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:14 - Shields, and spears

Shields, and spears - He prepared a vast number of military weapons, that he might have them in readiness to put into the hands of his subjects on any exigency.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:15 - Engines - to shoot arrows and great stones

Engines - to shoot arrows and great stones - The Targum says, "He made in Jerusalem ingenious instruments, and little hollow towers, to stand upon the towers and upon the bastions, for the shooting of arrows, and projecting of great stones.

This is the very first intimation on record of any warlike engines for the attack or defense of besieged places; and this account is long prior to any thing of the kind among either the Greeks or Romans. Previously to such inventions, the besieged could only be starved out, and hence sieges were very long and tedious. Shalmaneser consumed three years before such an inconsiderable place as Samaria, 2Ki 17:5, 2Ki 17:6; Sardanapalus maintained himself in Nineveh for seven years, because the besiegers had no engines proper for the attack and destruction of walls, etc., and it is well known that Troy sustained a siege of ten years, the Greeks not possessing any machine of the kind here referred to. The Jews alone were the inventors of such engines; and the invention took place in the reign of Uzziah, about eight hundred years before the Christian era. It is no wonder that, in consequence of this, his name spread far abroad, and struck terror into his enemies.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:16 - He transgressed against the Lord

He transgressed against the Lord - "He sinned against the Word of the Lord his God."- T

Clarke: 2Ch 26:16 - Went into the temple to burn incense

Went into the temple to burn incense - Thus assuming to himself the priest’ s office. See this whole transaction explained in the notes on 2Ki 15:5 (note).

Clarke: 2Ch 26:20 - Because the Lord had smitten him

Because the Lord had smitten him - "Because the Word of the Lord had brought the plague upon him."- T.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:21 - And dwelt in a several house

And dwelt in a several house - He was separated, because of the infectious nature of his disorder, from all society, domestic, civil, and religious

Clarke: 2Ch 26:21 - Jotham - was over the king’ s house

Jotham - was over the king’ s house - He became regent of the land; his father being no longer able to perform the functions of the regal office.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:22 - The rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet - write

The rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet - write - This work, however, is totally lost; for we have not any history of this king in the writings of Isaiah. He is barely mentioned, Isa 1:1; Isa 6:1.

Clarke: 2Ch 26:23 - They buried him - in the field of the burial

They buried him - in the field of the burial - As he was a leper, he was not permitted to be buried in the common burial-place of the kings; as it was supposed that even a place of sepulture must be defiled by the body of one who had died of this most afflictive and dangerous malady.

Defender: 2Ch 26:1 - Uzziah

Uzziah is the same as Azariah (2Ki 14:21; 2Ki 15:1). His name is mentioned by Tiglath-Pilezer on one of the Assyrian inscriptions."

Defender: 2Ch 26:4 - which was right

It is striking that many of Judah's kings, beginning with Solomon and including such stalwarts as Asa, Joash and Amaziah, started their reigns doing "right in the sight of the Lord," then later descended into compromise with paganism or into outright rebellion against God's Word. This same phenomenon is often noted among modern Christian leaders - not only among political leaders - but among religious and educational leaders as well."

Defender: 2Ch 26:5 - Zechariah

Nothing more than this is known about this particular prophet Zechariah. One can speculate that he was a namesake of the priest unjustly executed by Uzziah's grandfather, King Joash. Like Jehoiada's influence on Joash, Zechariah kept Uzziah true to God as long as he lived. He is not to be confused with the man who wrote the prophetic book of Zechariah; the latter prophesied in the days of the returning exiles.

Defender: 2Ch 26:5 - sought the Lord

Uzziah's rebellion, after a particularly long and successful reign, was halted by the sudden judgment of lifelong leprosy (2Ch 26:21). The principle that material prosperity accompanies faithfulness to God, and vice versa, was apparently applicable to the kings of Judah and Israel in most cases. This principle may possibly apply to modern heads of state as well, but certainly cannot be applied to Christians in general (note all the martyrs listed in Hebrews 11). God's true rewards for his faithful servants await the future life."

TSK: 2Ch 26:1 - all the // Uzziah

all the : 2Ch 22:1, 2Ch 33:25

Uzziah : 2Ki 14:21, 2Ki 15:1-7; 1Ch 3:12, Azariah, Mat 1:8, Mat 1:9, Ozias

TSK: 2Ch 26:2 - Eloth // restored

Eloth : 2Ch 8:17; 2Ki 14:22, 2Ki 16:6, Elath

restored : 2Ch 25:23, 2Ch 25:28

TSK: 2Ch 26:3 - Uzziah // Jecoliah

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Uzziah : Isa 1:1, Isa 6:1; Hos 1:1; Amo 1:1; Zec 14:5

Jecoliah : 2Ki 15:2, 2Ki 15:3, Jecholiah

TSK: 2Ch 26:4 - according to all

according to all : 2Ch 25:2

TSK: 2Ch 26:5 - he sought God // had // visions // and as long

he sought God : 2Ch 24:2; Jdg 2:7; Hos 6:4; Mar 4:16, Mar 4:17; Act 20:30

had : Gen 41:15, Gen 41:38; Dan 1:17, Dan 2:19, Dan 5:16, Dan 10:1

visions : Heb. seeing

and as long : 2Ch 15:2, 2Ch 25:8; 1Ch 22:11, 1Ch 22:13; Psa 1:3

TSK: 2Ch 26:6 - warred against // the wall of Gath // Jabneh // about

warred against : 2Ch 21:16; Isa 14:29

the wall of Gath : 2Sa 8:1; 1Ch 18:1

Jabneh : Jabneh, or Jamnia, was given to the tribe of Dan; and was situated between Lydda and Azotus. It is now called Yebna, and is described as ""a village about twelve miles distant from Jaffa (Joppa), in a fine open plain, surrounded by hills, and covered by herbage. On sloping hills of easy ascent, by which the plains were bordered, Yebna, Ekron, Ashdod, and Askalon were in sight."

about : or, in the country of, 1Sa 5:1, 1Sa 5:6

TSK: 2Ch 26:7 - God helped // the Arabians

God helped : 2Ch 14:11; 1Ch 5:20, 1Ch 12:18; Psa 18:29, Psa 18:34, Psa 18:35; Isa 14:29; Act 26:22

the Arabians : 2Ch 17:11, 2Ch 21:16

TSK: 2Ch 26:8 - the Ammonites // his name // spread

the Ammonites : 2Ch 20:1; Gen 19:38; Deu 2:19; Jdg 11:15-18; 1Sa 11:1; 2Sa 8:2

his name : Gen 12:2; 2Sa 8:13; 1Ki 4:31; Mat 4:24

spread : Heb. went

TSK: 2Ch 26:9 - the corner gate // the valley gate // the turning // fortified

the corner gate : 2Ch 25:23; 2Ki 14:13; Jer 31:38; Zec 14:10

the valley gate : Neh 3:13, Neh 3:19, Neh 3:32

the turning : Neh 3:20, Neh 3:24

fortified : or, repaired

TSK: 2Ch 26:10 - digged many wells // he had much // Carmel // husbandry

digged many wells : or, cut out many cisterns, Gen 26:18-21

he had much : 2Ki 3:4; 1Ch 27:26-31

Carmel : or, fruitful fields, 2Ki 19:23; Isa 29:17

husbandry : Heb. ground

TSK: 2Ch 26:11 - went out

went out : 2Ki 5:2

TSK: 2Ch 26:13 - an army // three hundred

an army : Heb. the power of an army

three hundred : 2Ch 11:1, 2Ch 13:3, 2Ch 14:8, 2Ch 17:14-19

TSK: 2Ch 26:14 - slings to cast stones

slings to cast stones : Heb. stones of slings, Jdg 20:16; 1Sa 17:49

TSK: 2Ch 26:15 - cunning men // to shoot arrows // spread far

cunning men : 2Ch 2:7, 2Ch 2:14; Exo 31:4

to shoot arrows : These engines, it is probable, bore some resemblance to the baliste and catapulte of the Romans, which were employed for throwing stones and arrows, and were in reality the mortars and carcasses of antiquity. With respect to the towers which Uzziah built in the wilderness (2Ch 26:10), Mr. Harmer appears to have given a truer view of the subject than commentators in general have done, who suppose that they were conveniences made only for sheltering the shepherds from bad weather, or to defend them from incursions of enemies; for they might rather be designed to keep the nations that pastured there in awe, and also to induce them quietly to pay the tribute to which the 2Ch 26:8 seems to refer. William of Tyre describes a country not far from the Euphrates as inhabited by Syrian and Armenian Christians, who fed great flocks and herds there, but were kept in subjection to the Turks, in consequence of their living among them in strong places.

spread far : Heb. went forth, Mat 4:24

TSK: 2Ch 26:16 - when he was // went into // to burn

when he was : 2Ch 25:19, 2Ch 32:25; Deu 8:14, Deu 8:17, Deu 32:13-15; Pro 16:18; Hab 2:4; Col 2:18

went into : 2Ki 16:12, 2Ki 16:13

to burn : Num 16:1, Num 16:7, Num 16:18, Num 16:35; 1Ki 12:33, 1Ki 13:1-4

TSK: 2Ch 26:17 - Azariah // valiant men

Azariah : 1Ch 6:10

valiant men : 1Ch 12:28, 1Ch 26:6

TSK: 2Ch 26:18 - withstood Uzziah // not unto thee // to the priests // go out // neither shall it be

withstood Uzziah : 2Ch 16:7-9, 2Ch 19:2; Jer 13:18; Mat 10:18, Mat 10:28, Mat 14:4; 2Co 5:16; Gal 2:11

not unto thee : Num 16:40, Num 16:46-48, Num 18:7

to the priests : Exo 30:7, Exo 30:8; Heb 5:4

go out : 1Co 5:5

neither shall it be : 1Sa 2:30; Dan 4:37; Joh 5:44; Jam 2:1

TSK: 2Ch 26:19 - he // even

he : 2Ch 16:10, 2Ch 25:16

even : Num 12:10; 2Ki 5:27

TSK: 2Ch 26:20 - hasted also // the Lord

hasted also : Est 6:12

the Lord : Lev 14:34; Deu 28:22, Deu 28:35

TSK: 2Ch 26:21 - Uzziah // dwelt // several

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Uzziah : 2Ki 15:5

dwelt : Lev 13:46; Num 5:2, Num 5:3, Num 12:15; 2Ki 7:3

several : Heb. free

TSK: 2Ch 26:22 - first // Isaiah

first : 2Ch 9:29, 2Ch 12:15

Isaiah : Isa 1:1, Isa 6:1

TSK: 2Ch 26:23 - slept // they buried him

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slept : 2Ki 15:6, 2Ki 15:7

they buried him : 2Ch 26:18, 2Ch 21:20, 2Ch 28:27, 2Ch 33:20

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Ch 26:1 - Uzziah

Uzziah called also Azariah , 2Ki 14:21 ; both names signifying the same thing, God’ s strength, or help. See of this, and 2Ch 26:2-4 , on 2Ki 14:21,22 15:2,3 .

Poole: 2Ch 26:4

To wit, for a time, but not perfectly nor constantly, which was Amaziah’ s case also.

Poole: 2Ch 26:5 - He sought God // In the days of Zechariah // In the visions of God

He sought God i.e. he persisted in the true religion and worship of God.

In the days of Zechariah as long as he lived. Compare 2Ch 24:2 . who had understanding; who was a very knowing and experienced person. Or, who made him understanding ; or, who instructed him ; who was his tutor and teacher, and had great authority and influence upon him; and so restrained him from those exorbitancies to which he was otherwise inclined.

In the visions of God either,

1. In prophetical visions, which he either received from God himself, or understood and explained the prophetical visions of others, which was a special gift of God; of which see Gen 41:15 Dan 1:17 2:19 . Or,

2. In the law and word of God, which sometimes cometh under that name, as Pro 29:18 Isa 22:1,5 .

Poole: 2Ch 26:6 - Gath

Gath had been taken by Hazael in the days of Joash his grandfather, 2Ki 12:17 , but was either relinquished by him, because it lay so far from his other dominions; or retaken by the Philistines, who had now repaired its fortifications, and kept it.

Poole: 2Ch 26:10 - He built towers in the desert

He built towers in the desert partly to guard his cattle from the inroads and depredations which the Arabians were accustomed to make; and partly to give notice of the approach of any enemy, and to give some stop to their march on that side.

Poole: 2Ch 26:11 - That went out to war by bands

That went out to war by bands i.e. some bands at one time, and some at another, as occasion required. See Poole "1Ch 27:1" , See Poole "2Ch 13:14" .

Poole: 2Ch 26:16 - But when he was strong // Into the temple of the Lord

But when he was strong when he was strengthened in his kingdom, and free from the fear of any enemy.

Into the temple of the Lord into the holy place, where the altar of incense stood, and into which none but the priests might enter, much less offer incense.

Poole: 2Ch 26:18 - They withstood Uzziah // Neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God

They withstood Uzziah Heb. stood up against Uzziah ; not by force, or laying hands upon him to restrain him, for in the next verse you still find the censer in his hand; but only by admonition and reproof, which here follows.

Neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God expect that God will punish thee, or put some brand of infamy upon thee, for this presumption. But this they express modestly, and by a figure called meiosis , where more is meant than is expressed, because they considered that he to whom they spake, though an offender, was their lord and sovereign.

Poole: 2Ch 26:19 - Uzziah was wroth // From beside the incense altar

Uzziah was wroth with the priests. The leprosy even rose up in his forehead; so as he could not hide his shame; though it is probable it was also in the rest of his body.

From beside the incense altar by a stroke from an invisible hand coming from the altar, that he might be assured that this was the effect of God’ s just displeasure against him.

Poole: 2Ch 26:20 - They thrust him out

They thrust him out not by force, as was noted on 2Ch 26:18 , which needed not, for he voluntarily hasted away, as it follows; but by vehement persuasions and denunciations of God’ s further judgments upon him, if he did not depart. Some suppose that the earthquake, mentioned Amo 1:1 Zec 14:5 , happened upon this occasion, as another token of God’ s displeasure against this unparalled arrogancy.

Poole: 2Ch 26:21 - Unto the day of his death // Dwelt in a several house // For he was cut off

Unto the day of his death: God would have this leprosy to be incurable, as a lasting monument of his anger against such presumptuous invaders of the priest’ s office.

Dwelt in a several house as he was obliged to do by law, Lev 13:16 , which he durst not now resist, being under the hand and stroke of God, and under the fear of further and worse plagues, if he did so.

For he was cut off so the following words are a reason of the former; he dwelt in a several house, because he might not come into the temple or courts, nor consequently into any public assembly, or the society of others. Or, and therefore, as the Hebrew chi often signifies; and the particle and is oft understood. So it is an inference from the next foregoing words, He was a leper, and therefore he was cut off, &c. He who could not content himself with God’ s allowance, but usurped the priest’ s place and office, is now deprived of the privilege of the meanest of his people. A just and most suitable judgment.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:1 - Ozias

Ozias, called Azarias (4 K. xiv. 21.; C.) improperly. H.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:2 - Juda

Juda, till the reign of Achaz, 4 K. xvi. 6. It had revolted under Joram. C.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:4 - Done

Done. And was successful, as long as he attended to the high priest, Num. xxvii. 21. W.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:5 - God

God, or who had the gift of intelligence and prophecy from God. Heb. "who was intelligent in the visions of God." Others have read birath, with the Sept. "in the fear;" or Chaldean, &c. "instructing in the fear of the Lord." The Jews childishly understand Zacharias to mean the king himself, in the early part of his reign. Others suppose the priest, who was slain by Joas, is designated. (Lyranus ---

But this was rather his son (T.; Cajetan; C.) and successor, as well as a prophet, who had therefore a more perfect knowledge of God; though none can comprehend his being. H.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:6 - In

In. Prot. "about Ashdod." Sept. "he built (or repaired) the cities of Azotus," to keep under the Philistines, who had revolted under Joram, C. xxi. 16.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:7 - Gurbaal // Ammonites

Gurbaal. Gerera, (S. Jerom, Trad.) or Gebal, Psalm lxxxii. 8. Sept. "the rock," or Petra, in Arabia, where Stephanus places the Gabalenes. ---

Ammonites. Heb. mehunim. Sept. "Mineans," (chap. xx. 1.; H.) upon the Red Sea, (Stephanus) or Mediterranean, (Pliny vi. 28,) or in Arabia Felix. Strabo) M.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:8 - Gifts // Victories

Gifts. Tribute, C. xxvii. 5. C. ---

Victories. Prot. "the strengthened himself exceedingly." H.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:9 - Corner

Corner. Repairing what Joas had demolished, 4 K. xiv. 13. T.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:10 - Wilderness // Plains // Carmel

Wilderness, for the protection of shepherds, 4 K. xvii. 9. ---

Plains. Heb. "valleys, and in the plains husbandmen, and vinedressers in the mountains, and in Carmel; for he loved the earth, or husbandry," like David, 1 Paralipomenon xvii. 25., &c. ---

Carmel, means, "the vine of God;" as both the mount in Juda, where Nabal resided, and that on the Mediterranean Sea, were famous for wine. Ozias probably cultivated the former mountain. C.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:11 - Doctor

Doctor. Heb. shoter. Sept. "judge." Prot. "ruler." H. ---

The term is commonly understood of one who executes the sentence of the judge. But this employment does not suit a general, (C.) though such a one might well command. It many denote any "officer." H.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:15 - Engines // For the

Engines. They are here mentioned for the first time. C. ---

For the. Heb. "for he was wonderfully helped till he was established." H. ---

He invented may things for the defence of his kingdom. C.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:17 - Azarias

Azarias. The prophet, who had hitherto kept the king (H.) within bounds, was now no more, v. 5. T.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:18 - To thee

To thee. For usurping spiritual authority, the king was opposed by the high priest; and God confirmed the sentence of the latter, by striking Ozias with the leprosy; on which account, the was not only cast out of the temple, but also lost his kingdom, being obliged to live apart; (Lev. xiii. 46,) and after death, he could not be buried with his ancestors. W.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:19 - Forehead

Forehead. So that it could not be concealed. According to the rigour of the law, such an offender was to be slain, Num. iii. 10., and xviii. 7. The leprosy was considered as equivalent, and is styled destruction, (v. 16,) and death, Isaias vi. 1. M. See 4 K. xv. 6.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:22 - Prophet

Prophet. Yet we find little concerning him in the prophecy of Isaias; so that the work has been lost, except what Esdras hath preserved. C.

Haydock: 2Ch 26:23 - Leper

Leper. So much was the disease abhorred, (C.) as well as the king's late conduct. H.

Gill: 2Ch 26:1-4 - Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah,.... Of this and the three following verses, see the notes on 2Ki 14:21 where Uzziah is called Azariah. See Gill on 2Ki 14:21, 2Ki 14:22, 2Ki 15:2, 2Ki 15:3

Gill: 2Ch 26:5 - 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

And he sought God in the days of Zechariah,.... Not that Zechariah, the last of the prophets save one, he lived three hundred years after this; nor he that Joash slew; but, as it may seem, a son of his, perhaps the same with him in Isa 8:2,

who had understanding in the visions of God: who either had prophetic visions granted to him, or had divine wisdom to interpret such that others had; or, as others think, had a gift of interpreting the prophecies of others, the writings of Moses and David, &c. to which the Targum seems to agree; which paraphrases it,"who taught in the fear of the Lord;''with which agree the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions; some copies read "in the fear of God"; as an ancient manuscript mentioned by Junius, and so the Talmud ^l:

and, as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper; in his kingdom, and against his enemies; even so long as he abode by the word, worship, and ordinances of God, of which instances are given, as follow.

Gill: 2Ch 26:6 - 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

And he went forth, and warred against the Philistines,.... Who in the times of Jehoram broke in upon Judah, and distressed them, 2Ch 21:16.

and brake down the wall of Gath; which was one of the five principalities of the Philistines:

and the wall of Jabneh; nowhere else mentioned in Scripture, but frequent in the Jewish writings; where the sanhedrim sometimes sat, and where was a famous university, and from whence sprung many of the Jewish rabbins; it is the same which in some writers is called Jamnia, and was a port near to Joppa; and belonged to the tribe of Dan, as Josephus ^m writes:

and the wall of Ashdod: another of the principalities of the Philistines, the same with the Azotus of the New Testament; he dismantled all these places:

and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines; where he placed garrisons to keep them in awe; see Amo 1:8.

Gill: 2Ch 26:7 - And God helped him against the Philistines // and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal // and the Mehunims

And God helped him against the Philistines,.... He did not do all before related of himself, and by his own strength, but by the help of God; the Targum is"the Word of the Lord helped him:"

and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal; the same with Gerar, according to the Targum; which also belonged to the Philistines, and had a king in Abraham's time, Gen 20:1, the same with Askelon, another of the five principalities of the Philistines:

and the Mehunims; or the Minaeans, as the Septuagint, and whom Pliny ⁿ makes mention of among the Arabians; they seem to be the Scenite Arabs; see 2Ch 20:1, or rather, as the Targum, those that dwelt in the plain of Maon, which was in Arabia Petraea.

Gill: 2Ch 26:8 - And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah // and his name spread abroad, even to the entering in of Egypt // for he strengthened himself exceedingly

And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah,.... As tributaries to him, or; however, as desirous to live in friendship with him:

and his name spread abroad, even to the entering in of Egypt; so far he carried his arms, and conquered the countries that lay between Palestine and Egypt:

for he strengthened himself exceedingly; his kingdom and its coasts from the force of enemies.

Gill: 2Ch 26:9 - Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate // and at the valley gate // and at the turning of the wall

Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate,.... Which was broken down by the king of Israel in his father's time, 2Ch 25:23 and which he not only repaired, but strengthened, by building a tower upon it:

and at the valley gate; which led to the valley, Neh 2:13, called the valley of the dead bodies, in which they were cast, and in which the brook Kidron ran, Jer 31:40.

and at the turning of the wall; at each of those places he built towers, which Josephus ^o says were one hundred and fifty cubits high: and fortified them; put garrisons of soldiers into them.

Gill: 2Ch 26:10 - 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 vinedressers in the mountains // and in Carmel // for he loved husbandry

Also he built towers in the desert,.... In the desert of Arabia, to protect travellers from thieves and robbers, and particularly shepherds and their flocks, as appears by what follows; which a certain writer ^p thinks are the same which the Indians call pagodas; not such as served for temples, but were buildings encompassed with good walls, where flocks were gathered together in case of any alarm:

and digged many wells; for the watering of the flocks, which in those hot and desert places were of great use:

for he had much cattle, both in the low country and in the plains; both flocks and herds:

husbandmen also, and vinedressers in the mountains; husbandmen to take care of the corn, and manure the land for that, and gather it when ripe; and vinedressers to prune the vines, and look after them; which were very often planted on mountains, and on which also corn grew, Psa 72:16.

and in Carmel; a place in the tribe of Judah, where Nabal dwelt, 1Sa 25:2 or it may be put for any fruitful field:

for he loved husbandry; not only the profit, but the exercise of it at times; and it was usual with great personages in the eastern countries to employ themselves in some such way; Saul after he was king attended the herd, 1Sa 11:5, Mesha king of Moab was a sheep master, 2Ki 3:4, among the Romans, Quinctius Cincinnatus and Cato Major ^q were great lovers of husbandry; and we read of one of the Chinese emperors that gave himself to husbandry, held the plough himself, broke the clods, and cast in the seed, to set an example to the whole empire ^r. Another of their emperors gave himself wholly to husbandry ^s; an other chose an husbandman for his successor, and who also encouraged husbandry ^t.

Gill: 2Ch 26:11 - 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

Moreover, Uzziah had an host of fighting men,.... A standing army:

that went out to war by bands; to annoy his enemies, and to scour the country from thieves and robbers, that came in troops to plunder:

according to the number of their account, by the hand of Jeiel the scribe; the secretary of war, who ordered these bands, settled their number, and directed their destination:

and Maaseiah the ruler; or officer over them, a lieutenant:

under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains; that had the command of them, or at least of one of them.

Gill: 2Ch 26:12 - The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand six hundred.

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand six hundred. Who were the commanders and principal officers of his army; and such a number supposed a large army, as follows.

Gill: 2Ch 26:13 - 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

And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred,.... Which was larger than that in his father's time by 7500, 2Ch 25:5 besides officers:

that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy; they were ready to fight, and fight valiantly, whenever the king had any occasion for them, or the land was invaded.

Gill: 2Ch 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

And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host,.... For every soldier in the army:

shields and spears; defensive and offensive weapons, the one to cover and protect their bodies, the other to push and pierce their enemies:

and helmets, and habergeons; the first of these were a covering for the head in the day of battle, and the other coats of mail, to defend the body:

and bows; to shoot arrows out of:

and slings to cast stones; at which the Benjaminites formerly were very expert.

Gill: 2Ch 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 // and his name spread far abroad // for he was helped until he was strong

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,.... Such as with the Romans were called "catapultae", "ballistae" ^u, "scorpiones" ^w, &c. and by this it appears that these were not first invented in Greece and Rome, but in Judea. It is said ^x, that the Romans received the machine to batter cities from the Greeks, and that the Trojan horse was no other than a battering ram; but if they did, the invention of them must be ascribed, not to them, but rather to the Syrians and Phoenicians, according to Pliny ^y; though others ^z suppose the Carthaginians, who were a colony of theirs, to be the inventors of them; yet, after all, they seem to be the device of some skilful men among the Jews, in the times of Uzziah; according to Diodorus Siculus ^a, they were not found out when Nineveh was besieged in the times of Sardanapalus:

and his name spread far abroad; in distant countries, for his warlike dispositions and preparations, which made them stand in fear of him:

for he was helped until he was strong; he was wonderfully helped by the Lord to build fortified places, raise a numerous army, and provide all sorts of armour for them, and invent such machines as would greatly annoy the enemy, whereby he became very potent, and injected dread round about him.

Gill: 2Ch 26:16 - 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

When he was strong,.... Became great and powerful, through his victories, the enlargement of his dominions, and having a numerous army, and these well accoutred, and many fortified cities and towers:

his heart was lifted up to his destruction; he grew vain and proud, elated with his flourishing circumstances, which issued in his ruin:

for he transgressed against the Lord his God; who had helped him, and made him so great, and had bestowed so many favours upon him; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord his God;''what his transgression was, follows:

and went into the temple of the Lord; the holy place, into which none but the priests might enter:

to burn incense upon the altar of incense; which stood there.

Gill: 2Ch 26:17 - And Azariah the priest went in after him // and with him eighty priests of the Lord, that were valiant men

And Azariah the priest went in after him,.... To hinder him from doing it, and to persuade him to go out. This was the high priest, as appears from 2Ch 26:20 and is thought to be the same that is spoken of in 1Ch 6:10.

and with him eighty priests of the Lord, that were valiant men; not only able bodied men, but men of spirit and courage, and zealous for the honour of God.

Gill: 2Ch 26:18 - 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 honour from the Lord God

And they withstood Uzziah the king,.... They not only stood against him, but stood about him, surrounded him, so as to hinder him from approaching the altar of incense:

and said unto him, it appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord; it did not belong to his office as a king, it was no part of it

but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense; and to them only; for even the Levites might not do it, only those of the tribe of Levi, that descended from Aaron, see Num 16:35,

go out of the sanctuary, for thou hast trespassed; by going into that:

neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God; but to his hurt, and be a brand of infamy upon him; for more is designed than is expressed, and as the event showed.

Gill: 2Ch 26:19 - 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

Then Uzziah was wroth,.... With the priests, and, as Josephus ^b says, threatened to kill them:

and had a censer in his hand to burn incense; ready to do it, and resolved upon it:

and while he was wroth with the priests; and expressing his indignation, and do what he would do to them, if they continued to oppose him:

the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar; which seems not only to describe the position of the priests, being beside the altar of incense, to keep the king from it, when the leprosy was seen by them in his forehead, but the quarter from whence the stroke invisibly came. Josephus ^c says, there was earthquake at the same time, and a mountain was rent.

Gill: 2Ch 26:20 - 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 also hasted to go out, because the Lord had smitten him

And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead,.... He was leprous all over his body, no doubt, but it appeared in his forehead very remarkably, and was seen by them all, who, without doubt, informed him of his case, and of which he soon became sensible:

and they thrust him out from thence; the holy place, he being now unfit to be in a common dwelling house, or his own palace, and much less to be in the house of God:

yea, himself also hasted to go out, because the Lord had smitten him; fearing, should he continue there, that something worse would befall him; the Targum is, the Word of the Lord. The leprosy was a disease sent immediately from God, as the case of Miriam, and this of Uzziah, show; and so the Persians ^d had a notion, that those had it who sinned against the sun, and for that reason, and which they accounted and worshipped as God.

Gill: 2Ch 26:21 - 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

And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper,.... See Gill on 2Ki 15:5,

for he was cut off from the house of the Lord; not, suffered to enter into that, because of his uncleanness:

and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land; see 2Ki 15:5.

Gill: 2Ch 26:22 - Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last // did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write

Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last,.... What were done by him, both in the beginning and latter end of his reign:

did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write: not in his own prophecy, but in the history of his own times, which was usual for every prophet to write, though now lost, see 2Ki 15:6.

Gill: 2Ch 26:23 - So Uzziah slept with his fathers // and they buried him with his fathers

So Uzziah slept with his fathers,.... Died as they did, the same year, according to Dr. Lightfoot ^e, in which he was smitten with the leprosy; and in the year of his death it was Isaiah had the vision related in Isa 6:1, &c.

and they buried him with his fathers; See Gill on 2Ki 15:7.