“Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. Uzziah: or, Azariah”
Called also Azariah. Cross references: : 2 Kings 14:21
“He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.”
He fortified it and made it strong: this city was also called Elath and Elanon near to the red Sea.
“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. in the visions: Heb. in the seeing of God”
For God never forsakes any that seeketh unto him, and therefore man is the cause of his own destruction. This was not that Zechariah that was the son of Jehoiada, but some other Prophet of that name.
“And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. spread: Heb. went”
That is, they paid tribute in sign of subjection.
“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. fortified: or, repaired”
Whereas the wall or tower turneth. Neh. 3:19 , 24
“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. digged: or, cut out many cisterns Carmel: or, fruitful fields husbandry: Heb. ground”
Or, pits. That is, in mount Carmel, or as the word signifieth in the fruitful field: it is also taken for a green ear of corn, when it is full, as Lev. 2:14 .
“The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.”
Of the chief officers of the king’s house, or of the captains and sergeants for war.
“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. spread: Heb. went forth”
Hebrew, engines by the invention of an inventive man .
“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.”
Thus prosperity causeth men to trust in themselves, and by forgetting him which is the author thereof, procure their own perdition.
“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.”
Though his zeal seemed to be good and also his intention, yet because they were not governed by the word of God, he did wickedly, and was therefore both justly resisted and also punished. Num. 18:7
“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. several: Heb. free”
2 Kings 15:5 According to the commandment of the Lord, Lev. 13:46 .
“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.”
And therefore was buried apart in the same field, but not in the same sepulchers with his predecessors.