2 Chronicles 26: Strong, Then Lifted Up
Uzziah seeks God and prospers greatly, but when he grows strong his heart is lifted up, and pride drives him into the temple and out as a leper.
2 Chronicles 26 (WEB)
1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.
4 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper.
6 He went out and fought against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunim.
8 The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he grew exceeding strong.
9 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.
10 He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved farming.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12 The whole number of the heads of fathers’ households, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred.
13 Under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, who made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging.
15 He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, until he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into Yahweh’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17 Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were valiant men:
18 and they resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed; neither shall it be for your honor from Yahweh God.”
19 Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in Yahweh’s house, beside the altar of incense.
20 Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked on him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from there; yes, himself hurried also to go out, because Yahweh had struck him.
21 Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from Yahweh’s house: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote.
23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, “He is a leper.” Jotham his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles 26 (KJV)
1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 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.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur–baal, and the Mehunims.
8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 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.
10 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.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 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.
16 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.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:
18 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.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.
21 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.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
23 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.
2 Chronicles 26 (ASV)
1 And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
5 And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Meunim.
8 And the Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he waxed exceeding strong.
9 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.
10 And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12 The whole number of the heads of fathers’ houses, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of Jehovah, that were valiant men:
18 and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto Jehovah, 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 honor from Jehovah God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy brake forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Jehovah, beside the altar of incense.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because Jehovah had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Jehovah: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
Summary
Made king at sixteen, Uzziah sets himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, and as long as he seeks Yahweh, God makes him prosper. He defeats the Philistines, fortifies cities, builds towers and cisterns, and equips a great army with shields, bows, and ingenious engines of war; his fame spreads to the border of Egypt because he is marvelously helped until he is strong. But the very strength God gave becomes his snare. When he is strong, his heart is lifted up to his own destruction, and he trespasses against Yahweh by entering the temple to burn incense on the altar reserved for the priests. Azariah and eighty courageous priests follow him in and confront him: this is not for him to do but for the consecrated sons of Aaron. Uzziah grows angry, censer in hand, and as he rages, leprosy breaks out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord. They thrust him out, and he himself hurries to leave, for Yahweh has struck him. A leper to the day of his death, he lives in isolation, cut off from the temple, while his son Jotham governs. A reign that began in humble seeking ends in proud ruin.
Main Characters
- Uzziah — King of Judah who prospers greatly while he seeks God, but whose pride leads him to usurp the priests' role and ends his days as an isolated leper.
- Azariah the chief priest — The high priest who, with eighty valiant priests, confronts Uzziah for entering the temple and witnesses the leprosy break out on the king's forehead.
- Zechariah — The man who had understanding in the visions of God and during whose lifetime Uzziah set himself to seek the Lord and prospered.
Key Verse
2 Chronicles 26:16 (WEB)
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into Yahweh’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Lessons Learned
- Seeking God is the secret of true prosperity; while Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
- The strength and success God gives can become the very ground of our downfall when pride takes hold.
- God's order matters; presuming to take a role he has not given us is trespass, not zeal.
- Anger at faithful correction often exposes a heart already in rebellion.
- Sought-after grace brings real blessing. “As long as he sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper” (2 Chronicles 26:5, WEB). Dependence, not self-reliance, is the path of fruitfulness.
- Strength is a test as much as a gift. “When he was strong, his heart was lifted up” (2 Chronicles 26:16, WEB). What God gives to bless us can become what we worship.
- Worship must be on God's terms. The priests warn, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests” (2 Chronicles 26:18, WEB). Presumption is not devotion.
- God resists the proud. As Uzziah rages, “the leprosy broke out on his forehead” (2 Chronicles 26:19, WEB). The hand that had helped him now humbles him.
- How did Uzziah's habit of seeking God shape the early years of his reign (26:5)?
- Why do you think success and strength so often lead to pride rather than gratitude (26:16)?
- What was wrong with Uzziah entering the temple to burn incense, and why did the priests resist him?
- How does Uzziah's reaction to the priests reveal the state of his heart?
- Where has God's blessing in your life tempted you toward self-sufficiency rather than dependence on him?
- Uzziah's prosperity is tied directly to his seeking the Lord under Zechariah's influence. The Chronicler makes the connection explicit so we will not miss it: blessing flows from dependence on God. Help the group notice how spiritual mentors can sustain seasons of faithfulness.
- Success tempts us to credit ourselves rather than the God who gave it. Uzziah's strength became a stage for pride instead of an occasion for thanks. Invite the group to consider how prosperity tests the heart even more than hardship does.
- Burning incense was reserved for the consecrated priests; Uzziah was claiming an authority God had not given him. The priests resisted not to diminish the king but to honor God's order. Zeal that ignores God's word is presumption, however sincere it feels.
- Instead of repenting, Uzziah grew angry, censer still in hand, when the priests confronted him. His fury at correction revealed pride that had already turned from God. A humble heart receives rebuke; a proud one resents it.
- This is a gentle personal-application question. Encourage members to name areas of strength, competence, or success that quietly crowd out reliance on God. As leader, remind the group that every good gift is meant to lead us back to the Giver in gratitude.