2. Chronik 26:8 Kommentar

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.

Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate,.... Which was broken down by the king of Israel in his father's time, Ch2 25:23 and which he not only repaired, but strengthened, by building a tower upon it: and at the valley gate; which led to the valley, Neh 2:13, called the valley of the dead bodies, in which they were cast, and in which the brook Kidron ran, Jer 31:40. and at the turning of the wall; at each of those places he built towers, which Josephus (o) says were one hundred and fifty cubits high: and fortified them; put garrisons of soldiers into them. (o) Antiqu. l. 9. c. 10. sect. 3.

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.

The Ammonites gave gifts - Paid an annual tribute.

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).

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.

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.).