2 Chronicles 26

2Ch 26:1-8.

UZZIAH

SUCCEEDS

AMAZIAH AND

REIGNS

WELL IN THE

DAYS OF

ZECHARIAH.

1. Then all the people of Judah took

Uzziah--(See on

2Ki 14:21;

2Ki 15:1).

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].

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

(Jos 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.

2Ch 26:9, 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

(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].

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

(De 4:43;

Jos 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).

2Ch 26:11-15.

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

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.

2Ch 26:16-21.

HE

INVADES THE

PRIEST'S

OFFICE, AND

IS

SMITTEN WITH

LEPROSY.

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)

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

(Am 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.