Topical Bible: Kings: Good: Uzziah

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Introduction:
Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was a king of Judah who reigned in the 8th century BC. His reign is noted for its length, prosperity, and military success, as well as for his eventual downfall due to pride. Uzziah's account is primarily found in 2 Kings 15:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 26.

Background and Ascension to the Throne:
Uzziah was the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, and his mother was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. He became king at the age of sixteen after the people of Judah made him king following his father's assassination. His reign lasted for fifty-two years, making it one of the longest in the history of Judah. "In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah" (2 Kings 15:1).

Reign and Achievements:
Uzziah's reign was marked by significant achievements in various fields. He was a capable military leader and expanded Judah's territory. He successfully waged wars against the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites, and his fame spread as far as Egypt. "He went to war against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built cities in the vicinity of Ashdod and among the Philistines" (2 Chronicles 26:6).

Uzziah also focused on fortifying Jerusalem and improving the nation's infrastructure. He built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and at the angle of the wall, and he strengthened them. He also constructed towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had much livestock. His reign was a time of agricultural prosperity, and he loved the soil, employing farmers and vinedressers in the fertile lands.

Religious Life and Pride:
Uzziah was initially faithful to God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done" (2 Kings 15:3). However, his success led to pride, which became his downfall. In a presumptuous act, Uzziah entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. Despite being confronted by Azariah the priest and eighty other courageous priests, Uzziah persisted in his actions.

Judgment and Legacy:
As a result of his pride and disobedience, God struck Uzziah with leprosy, which remained with him until his death. He lived in a separate house, excluded from the temple of the Lord, while his son Jotham governed the people. "King Uzziah had leprosy until the day of his death. He lived in a separate house, leprous and banned from the house of the LORD" (2 Kings 15:5).

Uzziah's reign is remembered for both its achievements and its cautionary tale of pride leading to downfall. His account serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience to God's commands. Despite his tragic end, Uzziah was buried with his fathers in the field of the kings, acknowledging his contributions to the nation of Judah.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 15:34
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
... entering the temple]; 9 and Uzziah begat Jotham [a good king like Uzziah, his father];
and Jotham begat Ahaz [one of Judah's worst kings]; and Ahaz begat ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iii genealogy of jesus according.htm

Chronicles
... and they appear to be made in perfectly good faith. ... The most pious kings have the
most soldiers. ... So Uzziah's leprosy is the divine punishment of his pride in ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ...
... After the same manner did Uzziah, the son of Amaziah ... He was a good man, and by nature
righteous and ... time, or by the carelessness of the kings, his predecessors ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning jeroboam king.htm

1 Thess. 2:1-2. "For Kings. "
... kings of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem, Uzziah and Manasseh ... Our own kings, Henry
the Third, Edward the Third, and ... a crown so long as our good Queen Victoria. ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xxi 1 thess 2 1-2.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... and all prospered as long as the good Jehoiada lived ... Uzziah met with such success
at first, that his heart ... of the worst and most idolatrous of the Kings of Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... or religious reforms introduce a new and good day in ... (4) The prosperous reign of
Uzziah, who was ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the hope that ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... by a more visible effect in the case of Uzziah, [3759] when ... him, who was a martyr
for Christ, to preserve good order ... 3759] 2 Chronicles 26.p>[3760] 1 Kings 13:33 ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

Prayer
... help thee, whence shall I help thee?' 2 Kings 6:26 ... perhaps God sees these things
not to be good for us ... When Uzziah would offer incense without a priest, God was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... he was afterwards reclaimed, and became a good king, and ... not appear to have read
the text, 1 Kings 22:48 ... Jerusalem at the very same time when Uzziah usurped the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... began to prophesy near the close of Uzziah's long reign ... was one of much outward
prosperity.2 Kings 14:25 ... the sword, he will remember his true Israel for good. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm