26:1 Uzziah Also known as Azariah (2 Kgs 15:1).

26:2 He built Elath A site on the Gulf of Aqaba (see note on 2 Kgs 14:22).

slept with his ancestors See note on 2 Chr 9:31.

26:3 he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years From approximately 792–742 bc. Uzziah’s reign most likely included periods of coregency. He apparently ruled when his father, Amaziah, fled to Lachish (25:27–28; 26:1). Uzziah’s son, Jotham, served as coregent after Uzziah contracted leprosy (v. 21).

26:4 And he did what was right The Chronicler does not include the information found in Kings about Uzziah not removing the high places (2 Kgs 15:4).

26:5 he began to seek God See note on 2 Chr 11:16.

in the days of Zechariah Nothing is known about this Zechariah, who apparently acted as an advisor to Uzziah just as Jehoiada did for Joash (24:2).

God made him have success The theme of faithfulness leading to prosperity is seen throughout 1–2 Chronicles (e.g., 13:18; 14:11–12; 20:20).

26:6 Philistines See note on 1 Sam 4:1.

Philistines

Gath A Philistine city. David fled to Gath when running from Saul (1 Sam 21:10–15; 27:1–12).

Jabneh A town on Judah’s northern border; also called “Jabneel” (Josh 15:11).

Ashdod A major Philistine city. Ashdod was home to a temple for the Philistine god Dagon (1 Sam 5:1–2).

26:7 God helped him Chronicles often shows God helping those who rely on Him (compare 2 Chron 14:11; 18:31 and note; 25:8; 1 Chr 12:19; 15:26).

Meunim Probably residents of Maan in Edom.

26:8 Ammonites Judah’s neighbors (and often enemies) to the east, across the Jordan River.

26:9 at the Corner Gate Uzziah probably repairs the damage to the wall caused by Joash, king of Israel (2 Chron 25:23).

26:10 Shephelah The low hills west of central Judah.

26:12 mighty warriors of strength On the Hebrew phrase used here, gibbor chayil, see note on 1 Chr 26:6.

26:15 to shoot arrows and large slingstones The exact nature of these inventions is uncertain. There is no evidence of devices like catapults existing in the ancient Near East until around 400 bc.

he helped marvelously See note on 2 Chron 26:7.

26:16 his heart grew proud While Uzziah’s position is attributed to God’s help (vv. 5, 7, 15), it leads him to pride.

he acted unfaithfully On the Hebrew word used here, ma'al, see note on 1 Chr 5:25.

incense offering on the altar Because he is not a priest, Uzziah is not qualified to burn incense in the temple (Num 16:40). Saul was rejected as king for a similar offense (1 Sam 13:9).

26:18 And they stood against King Uzziah The priests stand up to Uzziah to protect the sanctity of the temple.

26:19 censer This term occurs only one other time (Ezek 8:11). It refers to a pan with a handle used for removing ashes from an altar or burning incense over hot coals.

leprosy The Hebrew word used here, tsara'ath, can indicate a variety of skin diseases (see note on Lev 13:1–59). People afflicted with such skin diseases were considered unclean and were forced to live in isolation (Lev 13:46; 2 Kgs 7:3).

26:20 So they rushed him away from there To avoid defiling the temple.

26:21 leprous until the day of his death Uzziah’s skin disease had serious ramifications. He was forced to live in isolation, which prevented him from worshiping at the temple and hindered his ability to govern. Because of this, his son, Jotham, governed in his place.

26:22 the remainder of the words of A common epitaph for deceased kings (1 Kgs 11:41; 14:19).

Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote This does not refer to the canonical book of Isaiah. While Isaiah might have been active during Uzziah’s reign, his full ministry did not begin until the year of Uzziah’s death (see Isa 1:1; 6:1 and note).

26:23 slept with his ancestors See note on 2 Chr 9:31.