Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 26

Verses 1-5

See note on 2 Kings 15:1

Verses 6-15

Uzziah’s Prosperity - 2 Chronicles 26:6-15

Only Chronicles gives details of the good reign of Uzziah. He set out to restore respect for Judah among the surrounding nations, particularly the Philistines. In his successful war against them he tore down the walls of their capital city, Gath, and also of Jabneh and Ashdod. Jabneh was a smaller city, also called Jabneel, but it was often wrested by the Philistines from the Danites to which tribe it was alloted. Later in Jewish history it was called Jamnia. Uzziah built cities or settled places around Ashdod, among the Philistines, with people from Judah.

The Arabians of the desert were also subdued with the capture of their stronghold of Gur-baal. The Mehunim were the people of Maon, from the desert area of Edom, or Mount Seir. Nothing is said of war with Ammon, but the Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah anyway. The young king made himself a prestigious name in all the southern lands, to the entrance of Egypt.

Uzziah also engaged in building projects to strengthen Jerusalem, the city wall having been laid waste for some distance by the devasta­tion of Joash of Israel when he defeated Amaziah. Towers were built at the corner gate and the valley gate, as well as on the corner of the wall, possibly the place where Joash’s destruction stopped. He also built strong defensive towers in the desert, for such would be needed to keep those tribes he had conquered subdued.

On the domestic side Uzziah was also active. Many wells were dug to supply water for the herds and flocks, of which the king himself had many. He pastured his cattle in both the valleys and the plains. Uzziah seems to have enjoyed the pastoral life, for he was fond of husbandry. He employed husbandmen and vinedressers for his farms and vineyards in the mountains and in Carmel of the southland.

The army was well organized, under the scribe Jeiel, who kept their account; their ruler, Maaseiah; the captain Hananiah, who led them in battle. They seem to have gone out in rotation to keep the peace in the subject countries. This army had 2,600 officers and consisted of 307,500 fighting men, said to have been a mighty power against their enemies. They were well equipped with shields, spears, helmets, haber­geons (armored vests), bows, and slings. Uzziah also encouraged the invention and development of artillery. These were engines made to mount on the wall and in the towers, capable of hurling arrows and great stones at a besieging enemy. And so the fame of Uzziah spread far beyond his own country. The Scriptures record that he was marvelously helped until he became quite strong. For the Lord was with the king in those early days when he sought him through the influence of the mysterious Zechariah. It was during his reign that God sent out some of the leading preachers of the Old Testament times, including Isaiah, whom some call the prince of the prophets. During all this prosperity Uzziah needed to be reminded of the Lord’s warning through Moses in his farewell words to Israel before his death (De 32:15).

Verses 16-23

See note on 2 Kings 15:5