2 Chron. 26 Uzziah is made king; reigneth well in the days of Zechariah, and prospereth, 2 Chron. 26:1–15. He invadeth the priest’s office; is smitten with a leprosy, 2 Chron. 26:16–21. He dieth, and Jotham succeedeth him, 2 Chron. 26:22–23.

Uzziah; called also Azariah, 2 Kings 14:21; both names signifying the same thing, God’s strength, or help. See of this, and 2 Chron. 26:2–4, on 2 Kings 14:21–22, 2 Kings 15:2–3.

To wit, for a time, but not perfectly nor constantly, which was Amaziah’s case also.

He sought God, i.e. he persisted in the true religion and worship of God. In the days of Zechariah; as long as he lived. Compare 2 Chron. 24:2. who had understanding; who was a very knowing and experienced person.

Gath had been taken by Hazael in the days of Joash his grandfather, 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.

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 give some stop to their march on that side.

That went out to war by bands, i.e. some bands at one time, and some at another, as occasion required. See Poole “1 Chron. 27:1”, See Poole “2 Chron. 13:14”.

But when he was strong; when he was strengthened in his kingdom, and free from the fear of any enemy. Into the temple of the Lord; into the holy place, where the altar of incense stood, and into which none but the priests might enter, much less offer incense.

They withstood Uzziah; Heb. stood up against Uzziah; not by force, or laying hands upon him to restrain him, for in the next verse you still find the censer in his hand; but only by admonition and reproof, which here follows.

Uzziah was wroth with the priests. The leprosy even rose up in his forehead; so as he could not hide his shame; though it is probable it was also in the rest of his body.

They thrust him out; not by force, as was noted on 2 Chron. 26:18, 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. Some suppose that the earthquake, mentioned Amos 1:1, Zech.

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; as he was obliged to do by law, Lev.