1
All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
2
He fortified Elath and restored it to Judah after the king rested with his fathers.
3
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah, from Jerusalem.
4
He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, just as Amaziah his father had done.
5
He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.
6
Then he went out and made war against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and built cities around Ashdod and in other regions of the Philistines.
7
God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabs who lived in Gur-Baal, and against the Meunites.
8
The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as Egypt, for his power was very great.
9
Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the Angle, and he strengthened them.
10
He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock, both in the Lowland and in the Hill Country. He also had farmers and vine-dressers in the hills and in the fertile land, for he loved the soil.
11
Moreover, Uzziah had an army fit for war, going out to battle in divisions according to the number recorded by the scribe Jeiel and the official Maaseiah, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king’s commanders.
12
The total number of the heads of the fathers’ houses of the mighty men of valor was two thousand six hundred.
13
Under their command was an army of three hundred seven thousand five hundred mighty men, able to make war, to help the king against the enemy.
14
Uzziah equipped the whole army with shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and slingstones.
15
In Jerusalem he also made devices, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, for shooting arrows and large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped until he became strong.
16
But when he became strong, his heart was lifted up, and he acted corruptly. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17
But Azariah the priest followed after him, with eighty priests of the LORD, men of courage;
18
and they stood against King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense! Go out of the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully! You will not receive honor from the LORD God for this.”
19
Then Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to burn incense, became angry. While his anger was rising against the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense.
20
Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead. They hurried him out from there, and he himself hastened to go out, because the LORD had struck him.
21
King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death, and as a leper he lived in a separate house, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son was over the king’s house and governed the people of the land.
22
Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, were written by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
23
Then Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field near the burial place of the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” And Jotham his son became king in his place.
🛡️👑🌫️ Summary of 2 Chronicles 26 – Uzziah: From Prosperity to Downfall because of Pride
2 Chronicles 26 tells about King Uzziah (also known as Azariah), who came to the throne at the age of 16 and experienced a reign that was prosperous and blessed by God. He built up a strong military, advanced agriculture, and fortified the cities. But when he became strong, pride took hold of him, and he broke God’s law by burning incense — a duty that only priests were allowed to perform. As a result, he was afflicted with leprosy for life, and was banished until his death. This story shows how spiritual pride can bring down someone who was once faithful.
📌 1. Uzziah Ascends the Throne and Is Blessed by God (verses 1–5)
➡️ Uzziah came to the throne at the age of 16 and reigned for 52 years
➡️ He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, like Amaziah, his father
➡️ While he sought God under the guidance of Zechariah, God made him prosper
🎯 A young leader who relies on God will be led to great success.
📌 2. Uzziah’s Military Success and Infrastructure (verses 6–15)
➡️ Uzziah defeated the Philistines, built towers, and strengthened Jerusalem
➡️ He strengthened the army and introduced advanced weapons of war
➡️ He also gave attention to agriculture and dug wells — bringing great prosperity
➡️ His name became known as far as Egypt, because he was helped in an extraordinary way by the Lord
🎯 True prosperity comes when a leader puts God first and builds with wisdom.
📌 3. Uzziah’s Pride and Offense (verses 16–21)
➡️ After becoming strong, Uzziah’s heart was lifted up, and he became unfaithful to the Lord
➡️ He entered the house of the Lord and burned incense on the altar — violating the priests’ law
➡️ Azariah the priest and 80 other priests rebuked him, but Uzziah became angry
➡️ The Lord struck him with leprosy on his forehead, and he hurried out of the house of the Lord
➡️ Uzziah was isolated until his death, and his son Jotham ruled as regent
🎯 Spiritual pride causes a person to cross the boundary set by God — and that brings ruin.
📌 4. The Death of Uzziah (verses 22–23)
➡️ The rest of Uzziah’s acts were written by the prophet Isaiah
➡️ When he died, he was not buried in the tombs of the kings, but near them, because he had leprosy
➡️ Jotham, his son, succeeded him as king
🎯 Even a great king can end in disgrace if he does not keep humility to the end.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord blesses those who seek Him sincerely
- Success must be accompanied by humility
- Obedience to divine boundaries is essential, even for a king
- Pride is the root of many spiritual falls
- God’s warning can come through His servants — do not ignore correction
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall!”
➡️ Uzziah fell precisely at the height of his strength and success
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
➡️ When Uzziah exalted himself, the Lord brought him low
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…”
➡️ Uzziah took on the priest’s duty because he thought he could do everything
“The Lord disciplines the one He loves…”
➡️ Uzziah was punished not to be destroyed, but to serve as a lesson
🕊️ “As long as he sought the LORD, God made all his undertakings prosper.” – 2 Chr 26:5
🕊️ “When he became strong, he grew proud, so that he did what was destructive.” – 2 Chr 26:16
🕊️ “He entered the house of the LORD to burn incense.” – 2 Chr 26:16
🕊️ “Then leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests.” – 2 Chr 26:19
🕊️ “He was excluded and lived in a separate house…” – 2 Chr 26:21
