2 Chronicles 26:11 Komentář

This chapter gives us an account of the reign of Uzziah (Azariah he was called in the Kings) more fully than we had it before, though it was long, and in some respects illustrious, yet it was very briefly related, Kg2 14:21; Kg2 15:1, etc. Here is, I. His good character in general (Ch2 26:1-5) II. His great prosperity in his wars, his buildings, and all the affairs of his kingdom (Ch2 26:6-15). III. His presumption in invading the priests' office, for which he was struck with a leprosy, and confined by it (Ch2 26:16-21) even to his death (Ch2 26:22, Ch2 26:23).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 26 This chapter relates the good reign of Uzziah, Ch2 26:1, his wars and victories, his buildings, the number of his soldiers, and his military stores, Ch2 26:6, his invasion of the priest's office, in attempting to offer incense, for which he was smitten with a leprosy, which continued to his death, Ch2 26:16.

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand six hundred. Who were the commanders and principal officers of his army; and such a number supposed a large army, as follows. The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand six hundred. Who were the commanders and principal officers of his army; and such a number supposed a large army, as follows. 2 Chronicles 26:13 ch2 26:13 ch2 26:13 ch2 26:13And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred,.... Which was larger than that in his father's time by 7500, Ch2 25:5 besides officers: that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy; they were ready to fight, and fight valiantly, whenever the king had any occasion for them, or the land was invaded.

Uzziah, the son of Amaziah, succeeds; and begins his reign piously and prosperously, which continued during the life of Zechariah the prophet, Ch2 26:1-5. He fights successfully against the Philistines, and takes and dismantles some of their chief cities, Ch2 26:6; prevails over the Arabians and Mehunims, Ch2 26:7; and brings the Ammonites under tribute, Ch2 26:8. He fortifies Jerusalem, and builds towers in different parts of the country, and delights in husbandry, Ch2 26:9, Ch2 26:10. An account of his military strength, warlike instruments, and machines, Ch2 26:11-15. He is elated with his prosperity, invades the priest's office, and is smitten with the leprosy, Ch2 26:16-20. He is obliged to abdicate the regal office, and dwell apart from this people, his son Jotham acting as regent, Ch2 26:21. His death and burial, Ch2 26:22, Ch2 26:23.

UZZIAH SUCCEEDS AMAZIAH AND REIGNS WELL IN THE DAYS OF ZECHARIAH. (Ch2 26:1-8) Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah--(See on Kg2 14:21; Kg2 15:1).

HIS HOST, AND ENGINES OF WAR. (Ch2 26:11-15) 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.

Jotham having ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five, reigned altogether in the spirit and power of his father, with the single limitation that he did not go into the sanctuary of Jahve (cf. Ch2 26:16.). This remark is not found in 2 Kings 15, because there Uzziah's intrusion into the temple is also omitted. The people still did corruptly (cf. Ch2 26:16). This refers, indeed, to the continuation of the worship in the high places, but hints also at the deep moral corruption which the prophets of that time censure (cf. especially Isa 2:5., Ch2 5:7.; Mic 1:5; Mic 2:1.).

His army. He had a host of fighting men that went out to war by bands (לגדוּד, in bands), "in the number of their muster by Jeiel the scribe, and Maaseiah the steward (שׁטר), under Hananiah, one of the king's captains." The meaning is: that the mustering by which the host was arranged in bands or detachments for war service, was undertaken by (בּיד) two officials practised in writing and the making up of lists, who were given as assistants to Hananiah, one of the princes of the kingdom (יד על), or placed at his disposal. Ch2 26:12-13 The total number of the heads of the fathers'-houses in valiant heroes (לגבּורי with ל of subordination) was 2600, and under these (ידם על, to their hand, i.e., subordinate to them) an army of 307,500 warriors with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. The army was consequently divided according to the fathers'-houses, so that probably each father's-house formed a detachment (גּדוּד) led by the most valiant among them. Ch2 26:14 Uzziah supplied this force with the necessary weapons-shield, lance, helmet, and coat of mail, bows and sling-stones. להם is more closely defined by לכל.