_A.M. 3194. B.C. 810._ Uzziah reigns well, 2 Chronicles 26:1. Prospers in his wars, building, and the affairs of his kingdom, 2 Chronicles 26:6. Invading the priest's office, is struck with a leprosy, 2 Chronicles 26:16. Is confined till his death, 2 Chronicles 26:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people of Judah took Uzziah_ Called also Azariah, 2 Kings 14:21; both names signifying the same thing, the _strength_, or _help of God._ Of this and 2 Chronicles 26:1; 2 Chronicles 26:3, see notes on 2 Kings 14:21; and 1 Kings 15:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sought God in the days of Zechariah_ Who was probably the son of that Zechariah whom his grand-father Joash slew. _Who had understanding in the visions of God_ Either the visions with which he himself was favoured, or the visions of the preceding prophets. He was well skilled in prophecy, and co... [ Continue Reading ]
_And brake down the wall of Gath_ Which had been taken by Hazael, in the days of Joash his grand-father, chap. 2 Kings 12:17; but was either relinquished by him, because it lay so far from his other dominions; or retaken by the Philistines, who had now repaired its fortifications and kept it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He built towers in the desert_ Partly to guard his cattle from the inroads and depredations which the Arabians were accustomed to make: and partly to give notice of the approach of any enemy, and to put some stop to their march on that side. _Uzziah had an army that went out to war by bands_ Some b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore deliver the captives_ Release your brethren, whom you have made prisoners, and send them home again with care. _For the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you_ And there is no other way of escaping it, but by showing mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he was strong_ Strengthened in his kingdom, and free from the fear of any enemy; _his heart was lifted up to his destruction_ Thus the prosperity of fools, by puffing them up with pride, destroys them. He had done so much business, and attained so much honour, that he began to think no busines... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they withstood Uzziah_ Hebrew, _stood up against Uzziah_, not by force, or laying hands upon him to restrain him, for in the next verse we still find the censer in his hand; but only by admonition and reproof, which follows. _Neither shall it be for thine honour_, &c. Expect that God will punis... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Uzziah was wroth_ With the priests. _While he was wroth the leprosy rose up in his forehead_ So that he could not hide his shame: though it is probable it was also in the rest of his body. _From beside the incense-altar_ By a stroke from an invisible hand, coming from the altar; that he might... [ Continue Reading ]
_They thrust him out from thence_ Not by force, which needed not, for he voluntarily hasted away, as it follows; but by vehement persuasions and denunciations of God's further judgments upon him, if he did not depart.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Uzziah was a leper unto the day of his death_ God would have this leprosy to be incurable, as a lasting monument of his anger against such presumptuous invaders of the priest's office. _Dwelt in a several house_, &c. As he was obliged to do by law, which he durst not now resist, being under the han... [ Continue Reading ]