---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Chronicles 26"
description: "CHAPTER 26   :-. UZZIAH
SUCCEEDS AMAZIAH
AND REIGNS WELL
IN THE DAYS OF
ZECHARIAH. 1. Then all the people of Judah took
Uzziah—(See on  :-;  :-). 2. He bu"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-chronicles/26"
---

CHAPTER 26

. UZZIAH
SUCCEEDS AMAZIAH
AND REIGNS WELL
IN THE DAYS OF
ZECHARIAH.

**1. Then all the people of Judah took
Uzziah**—(See on ; ).

**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 ([2 Chronicles 33:13](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/33/13)), is placed
before the chronological notices ([2 Chronicles 33:13](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/33/13)), 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].

**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.

**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.
**Jabneh**—the same as
Jabneel ([Joshua 15:11](../../../kjv/joshua/15/11)).

**7. Gur-baal**—thought by some to
be Gerar, and by others Gebal.

**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.
[2 Chronicles 26:9](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/26/9);
[2 Chronicles 26:10](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/26/10). HIS
BUILDINGS.

**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 ([2 Chronicles 25:23](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/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].

**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 ([Deuteronomy 4:43](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/4/43);
[Joshua 20:8](../../../kjv/joshua/20/8)).
**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*).
[Joshua 20:8](../../../kjv/joshua/20/8). HIS HOST,
AND ENGINES OF WAR.

**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.

**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.
**he was marvellously helped
till he was strong**—He conducted himself as became the viceroy
of the Divine King, and prospered.
. HE INVADES
THE PRIEST'S
OFFICE, AND IS
SMITTEN WITH LEPROSY.

**16-21. he transgressed against the
Lord,** &c.—(See on ).
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 () 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 ([Amos 1:1](../../../kjv/amos/1/1))
is said to have been felt at the moment [JOSEPHUS].

**21. dwelt in a several house**—in
an infirmary [BERTHEAU].

**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.

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