MPV Commentary

Uzziah Succeeds Amaziah and Reigns Well in the Days of Zechariah.

1. Uzziah was chosen by all the people of Judah to succeed Amaziah (see 2 Kings 14:21; 15:1).

2. He built Eloth, a strategic port on the Red Sea that had been restored to the kingdom of Judah during his reign (2 Chronicles 33:13). This account is placed before the chronological notices because it highlights Uzziah's conquest of Eloth as an important achievement in his early years as king. The historian also wanted to introduce Uzziah as a conqueror, emphasizing the significance of this victory and the fact that Hebrew merchants maintained trade between Eloth and Eastern countries.

5. During Zechariah's wise counsel, Uzziah sought God, demonstrating a desire for spiritual guidance and direction from his trusted advisor.

6-7. Uzziah led military campaigns against the Philistines, achieving numerous victories and dismantling their towns. He then established fortified cities throughout the land to maintain control over the region. Jabneh was one of these locations (see Joshua 15:11), while Gur-baal is thought by some to be Gerar or Gebal.

8. The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his kingdom expanded to the Egyptian frontier due to his rapid succession of victories.

2 Chronicles 26:9-10 describe Uzziah's building projects.

9. Uzziah constructed towers in Jerusalem for defense purposes, including one at the corner gate (2 Chronicles 25:23), another near the northwest corner of the city, and a third at the valley gate on the west side. He also built towers in other strategic locations to protect against potential threats.

10. In addition to these defensive structures, Uzziah built towers in the desert for multiple purposes: defense, observation, and shelter for his livestock. He also dug many wells, demonstrating his love for agriculture and his encouragement of various farming practices. Some of these wells were located in the desert southeast of Jerusalem, while others were situated in the plains east of the Jordan within the territory of Reuben (see Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8).