📖 2 Chronicles — Chapter 26 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Chronicles 26:1 Then Rall the people of Judah took TUzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 Chronicles 26:2 He built REloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
2 Chronicles 26:3 Sixteen years old was RUzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 26:4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, Raccording to all that his father Amaziah did.
2 Chronicles 26:5 And Rhe sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding Tin the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
2 Chronicles 26:6 And he went forth and Rwarred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities Tabout Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
2 Chronicles 26:7 And RGod helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
2 Chronicles 26:8 And Rthe Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name Tspread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
2 Chronicles 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at Rthe corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and Tfortified them.
2 Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and RTdigged 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 TCarmel: for he loved Thusbandry.
2 Chronicles 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that Rwent 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.
2 Chronicles 26:12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
2 Chronicles 26:13 And under their hand was Tan army, Rthree hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
2 Chronicles 26:14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and Tslings to cast stones.
2 Chronicles 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by Rcunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name Tspread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
2 Chronicles 26:16 But Rwhen 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.
2 Chronicles 26:17 And RAzariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
2 Chronicles 26:18 And they Rwithstood 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.
2 Chronicles 26:19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy Reven rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
2 Chronicles 26:20 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 Rthe LORD had smitten him.
2 Chronicles 26:21 And RUzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a Tseveral 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.
2 Chronicles 26:22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, Rfirst and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
2 Chronicles 26:23 So Uzziah Rslept 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 26:1–8 — Uzziah seeks God
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Uzziah begins young and seeks God under Zechariah's instruction. The narrator links his prosperity with that seeking and records God's help in his campaigns. His growing reputation is therefore presented as received help, not independent greatness. The later turn in the chapter makes remembering that source especially important.
Key Truth: Remember the help behind your success.
Check What You Remember
1. How old was Uzziah when he became king? (2 Chronicles 26:1)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:1 (KJV).
2. How long did he reign? (2 Chronicles 26:3)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:3 (KJV).
3. In whose days did he seek God? (2 Chronicles 26:5)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 26:9–15 — Strength and skilled preparation
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Uzziah builds towers, digs wells, supports agriculture, equips soldiers, and uses devices made by skilled workers. The description joins military strength with care for land and resources. It concludes that he was marvelously helped until he was strong. That sentence prepares the warning that follows his growing power.
Key Truth: Strength should deepen gratitude rather than entitlement.
Check What You Remember
1. What agricultural interest did Uzziah love? (2 Chronicles 26:10)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:10 (KJV).
2. What did he dig in the desert? (2 Chronicles 26:10)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:10 (KJV).
3. Who invented the engines placed on the defenses? (2 Chronicles 26:15)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:15 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 26:16–23 — Pride crosses a sacred boundary
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Once strong, Uzziah tries to burn incense, a duty appointed to Aaron's sons. The priests resist, but he responds angrily and is struck with leprosy. Jotham takes up government while Uzziah lives separately. This judgment on a specific trespass should not be generalized into a claim about every person's disease.
Key Truth: Respect entrusted boundaries and receive correction humbly.
Check What You Remember
1. What did Uzziah attempt to burn? (2 Chronicles 26:16)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:16 (KJV).
2. Which priest led the resistance? (2 Chronicles 26:17)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:17 (KJV).
3. Who governed the people while Uzziah lived separately? (2 Chronicles 26:21)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 26:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 16:18 — The proverb warns that pride precedes destruction.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you remain teachable as responsibility or success increases?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What condition accompanies Uzziah’s prosperity?
2. What change turns Uzziah’s strength toward destruction?
3. On what ground do the priests resist his incense offering?
4. How does Uzziah respond when leprosy appears?
5. What lasting limits follow his affliction?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation
Go to passage
← 2 Chronicles 25 | 2 Chronicles Contents | 2 Chronicles 27 →