Bible Commentaries

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah. — In this and the next ten chapters we have the histories of Uzziah and ten more kings of Judah, in whose days prophesied the most of the prophets, both major and minor: Lavat. to whose writings these eleven chapters lend not a little light, and are therefore diligently to be read and heeded.

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He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

He built Eloth, … — See 2 Kings 14:22 .

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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.

Sixteen years old. — See 2 Kings 15:2 .

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And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

And he did that which was right. — See 2 Chronicles 25:2 2 Kings 15:3 .

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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.

And he sought God. — Heb., Full in consulendo Deo, i.e., He was wholly taken up in consulting with God.

In the days of Zechariah. — Who was, saith Jerome, son to Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada. He had a daughter, say others, Salian. Cajetan. Dion. called Abijah, who became wife to king Ahaz, and mother to Hezekiah.

Who had understanding in the visions of God. — Was a skilful seer or prophet. Some render it, Who made to understand in the fear of God.

And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. — So fared it also with that great prince of late years, who, while he stood to the true religion, was Bonus orbi, good of bereft, and prospered in all his enterprises: but afterwards was Orbus boni, bereft of good, and sped accordingly, as one wittily descanted upon his name.

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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.

And the wall of Jabneh. — Which was a strong city by the seaside, not more than three hours’ travel from Gath, saith Adrichomius.

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And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.

That dwelt in Gurbaal. — Which is the same with Gerar, saith the Gloss: where Abimelech once reigned, and Abraham sojourned.

And the Mehunims. — Called by profane authors Scenites.

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And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad [even] to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened [himself] exceedingly.

For he strengthened himself exceedingly. — Heb., Fortificatus est usque in excelsum: and this tumoured him up, his good and his blood rising together, as they say.

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