And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah ,.... As tributaries to him, or; however, as desirous to live in friendship with him: and his name spread abroad, even to the entering in of Egypt ; so far he carried his arms, and conquered the countries that lay between Palestine and Egypt: for he strengthened himself exceedingly ; his kingdom and its coasts from the force of enemies. read more
Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate ,.... Which was broken down by the king of Israel in his father's time, 2 Chronicles 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, Nehemiah 2:13 , called the valley of the dead bodies, in which they were cast, and in which the brook Kidron ran, Jeremiah 31:40 . and at the turning of the wall ; at each of those places he built... read more
Also he built towers in the desert ,.... In the desert of Arabia, to protect travellers from thieves and robbers, and particularly shepherds and their flocks, as appears by what follows; which a certain writer F16 Agreement of Customs between the East Indians and Jews, art. 13. p. 61. thinks are the same which the Indians call pagodas; not such as served for temples, but were buildings encompassed with good walls, where flocks were gathered together in case of any alarm: and digged... read more
The Ammonites gave gifts - Paid an annual tribute. read more
Built towers in the desert - For the defense of his flocks, and his shepherds and husbandmen. And in Carmel - Calmet remarks that there were two Carmels in Judea: one in the tribe of Judah, where Nabal lived, and the other on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, near to Kishon; and both fertile in vines. He loved husbandry - This is a perfection in a king: on husbandry every state depends. Let their trade or commerce be what they may, there can be no true national... read more
Uzziah the prosperous. I. A YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN . ( 2 Chronicles 26:1-3 .) 1 . His names. Uzziah, "Might of Jehovah" ( 2 Kings 15:13 , 2 Kings 15:30 , 2 Kings 15:32 , 2 Kings 15:34 ; Isaiah 1:1 ; Isaiah 6:1 ; Amos 1:1 ; Zechariah 14:5 ); Azariah, "Whom Jehovah aids" ( 2 Kings 14:21 ; 2 Kings 15:1 , 2 Kings 15:6 , 2 Kings 15:8 , 2 Kings 15:17 , 2 Kings 15:23 , 2 Kings 15:27 ; 1 Chronicles 3:12 );—the former, the designation taken by or conferred... read more
The reign of fifty-two years spoiled in an hour. Many a reign, indeed, was a spoiled reign which had begun well, promised well, and continued well for some length, of time. But the reign of Uzziah, of all the reigns of Judah and of Israel the longest with the one exception of that of Manasseh, and particularly full of prosperity, and remarkably varied prosperity within, of success in just foreign wars, and of that which led to these things, viz. the most gracious tokens of the Divine... read more
A victorious career. Perhaps it is not well understood that Uzziah was one of the strongest of the kings of Judah, and ran a remarkably successful course. Had not his sun set in some dark clouds, his name and fame would probably have stood far higher than they do. But when we have made necessary allowances, there remains before our eyes the picture of— I. A VICTORIOUS CAREER . This, whether we have regard to: 1 . The extension of his kingdom; he prevailed against the Edomites,... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 26:1-15
We have here an account of two things concerning Uzziah:? I. His piety. In this he was not very eminent or zealous; yet he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. He kept up the pure worship of the true God as his father did, and was better than his father, inasmuch as we have no reason to think he ever worshipped idols as his father did, no, not in his latter days, when his heart was lifted up. It is said (2 Chron. 26:5), He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who, some think, was... read more