The Reign of Uzziah

261 And all the people of Judah take Uzziah (and he 'is' a son of sixteen years), and cause him to reign instead of his father Amaziah. 2 He hath built Eloth, and restoreth it to Judah after the king's lying with his fathers. 3 A son of sixteen years 'is' Uzziah in his reigning, and fifty and two years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother 'is' Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 4 And he doth that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that Amaziah his father did, 5 and he is as one seeking God in the days of Zechariah who hath understanding in visions of God: and in the days of his seeking Jehovah, God hath caused him to prosper. 6 And he goeth forth, and fighteth with the Philistines, and breaketh down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and buildeth cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. 7 And God helpeth him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who are dwelling in Gur-Baal and the Mehunim. 8 And the Ammonites give a present to Uzziah, and his name goeth unto the entering in of Egypt, for he strengthened himself greatly. 9 And Uzziah buildeth towers in Jerusalem, by the gate of the corner, and by the gate of the valley, and by the angle, and strengtheneth them; 10 and he buildeth towers in the wilderness, and diggeth many wells, for he had much cattle, both in the low country and in the plain, husbandmen and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel; for he was a lover of the ground. 11 And Uzziah hath a force, making war, going forth to the host, by troops, in the number of their reckoning by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Masseiah the officer, by the hand of Hananiah 'one' of the heads of the king. 12 The whole number of heads of the fathers of the mighty ones of valour 'is' two thousand and six hundred; 13 and by their hand 'is' the force of the host, three hundred thousand, and seven thousand, and five hundred warriors, with mighty power to give help to the king against the enemy. 14 And Uzziah prepareth for them, for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, even to stones of the slings. 15 And he maketh in Jerusalem inventions—a device of an inventor—to be on the towers, and on the corners, to shoot with arrows and with great stones, and his name goeth out unto a distance, for he hath been wonderfully helped till that he hath been strong.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 26:1-15

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 26:1-15

(Read 2 Chronicles 26:1-15)

As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, and minded religion, God made him to prosper. Those only prosper whom God makes to prosper; for prosperity is his gift. Many have owned, that as long as they sought the Lord, and kept close to their duty, they prospered; but when they forsook God, every thing went cross. God never continues either to bless the indolent or to withhold his blessing from the diligent. He will never suffer any to seek his face in vain. Uzziah's name was famed throughout all the neighbouring countries. A name with God and good people makes truly honourable. He did not delight in war, nor addict himself to sports, but delighted in husbandry.