2 Chronicles Chapter 26

At a Glance

  • Uzziah ascends to the throne at sixteen, continuing the lineage of relative reform and expansion.
  • Yet the chapter foreshadows a stark caution: the latter part of Uzziah’s life is marked by pride.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • As with much of Chronicles, the emphasis is on temple-centered worship and covenant fidelity, linking political success to spiritual obedience.
  • - Prosperity as the fruit of faithfulness: Uzziah’s reign demonstrates how God’s favor accompanies faithful dependence.

Chapter Overview

Uzziah ascends to the throne at sixteen, continuing the lineage of relative reform and expansion. He reigns for fifty-two years, a long and prosperous era in which he seeks the LORD during the days of Zechariah, gaining prosperity as long as he remains faithful. The text emphasizes the spiritual condition that shapes political achievement: when he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. Uzziah’s reign features ambitious military campaigns against the Philistines, the expansion of fortified cities, aqueducts, and agricultural prosperity. The king’s prowess is impressive—an organized army, engineering feats, and international influence extending as far as Egypt. The narrative adds a nuanced emphasis: prosperity occurs in tandem with faithful dependence on God.

Yet the chapter foreshadows a stark caution: the latter part of Uzziah’s life is marked by pride. The text notes that his success became a temptation that led to a misstep—a moment that would have far-reaching consequences. The chapter charts a trajectory from faithful stewardship to the seeds of downfall, with the reminder that strength and blessing in leadership are tethered to humility and ongoing, dependent relationship with the LORD. It’s a robust portrait of a king who embodies both the best and, at times, the most dangerous temptations of power.

Historical & Literary Context

As with much of Chronicles, the emphasis is on temple-centered worship and covenant fidelity, linking political success to spiritual obedience. Uzziah’s long reign highlights the classic Chronicler’s pattern: alignment with God yields prosperity, while pride and self-sufficiency threaten divine permission. The text situates Uzziah as a model of prosperous leadership whose successes should prompt gratitude and ongoing reliance on God, not prideful independence. This chapter fits within Chronicles’ broader aim to present a theological history of Judah’s kings through the lens of divine-human partnership.

Key Themes

- Prosperity as the fruit of faithfulness: Uzziah’s reign demonstrates how God’s favor accompanies faithful dependence.

- The synergy of governance and spiritual life: engineering, military might, and urban development are framed as extensions of a king’s stewardship under God.

- The danger of pride and self-reliance: the narrative warns that success can become a snare if it erodes humility and trust in the LORD.

- Leadership as responsibility: the king’s expansive projects emphasize the moral weight of influence and the use of resources for common good.

Modern Application

For contemporary readers, Uzziah’s arc serves as a reminder that success should deepen gratitude and reliance on God, not inflate ego or self-sufficiency. Leaders today can learn about sustainable development—investments in infrastructure, security, and economy must be grounded in ongoing spiritual discernment and humility. The dual-edged nature of power—blessing when used in fidelity to God, peril when it births pride—offers a theological lens to examine leadership failures and the need for accountability structures. It also invites believers to consider how wealth, resources, and influence should be stewarded for the sake of justice, mercy, and revitalizing worship.

Cross-References

- 2 Chronicles 32 (Hezekiah’s trust in God at critical moments)

- 1 Samuel 18 (David’s military success and its pitfalls)

- Proverbs 16:18 (pride goes before destruction)

- Nehemiah 6 (the dangers of pride and dependency on God)

Recommended Personas

- Moses (leadership under God, building a community)

- Nehemiah (reform, reinforcements, and governance with spiritual focus)

- David (military leadership tempered by dependence on the LORD)

- Jesus (humility, true authority, and service)

- Paul (education in leadership humility and reliance on God’s power)

Chapter Text

1

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

2

He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

3

Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

4

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

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.

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.

7

And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.

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.

9

Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.

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 vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

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.

12

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

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.

14

And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.

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 marvellously helped, till he was strong.

16

But 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.

17

And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:

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.

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.

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 hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.

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.

22

Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

23

So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

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