2 Chronicles 26 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Chronicles 26 Short Summary:
2 Chronicles 26 documents the reign of Uzziah as king in Judah. God blessed Uzziah when he initially took the throne. Judah subjected their enemies and enjoyed prosperity. But Uzziah grew proud as his strength increased. This pride culminated in him entering the Temple of the Lord, which all but the priests were forbidden from doing. God punished Uzziah’s pride by afflicting him with leprosy.
2 Chronicles 26 Extended Summary
WHEN:
Uzziah reigned in Judah for 52 years. His reign likely fits somewhere in the window of 815-755 B.C.
KEY CHARACTERS:
Uzziah – Amaziah’s son who became king king of Judah after his father’s death.
Azariah – A priest who, along with 80 other priests, rebuked Uzziah for entering the Temple.
WHERE:
Jerusalem – The capital of the Kingdom of Judah and the location of God’s Temple.
OUTLINE:
UZZIAH BECOMES KING OF JUDAH (26:1-15):
Uzziah, Amaziah’s son, became king at 16 years old and reigned 52 years.
“He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord… and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper” (26:4-5).
During his days, God helped Judah gain supremacy over the Philistines, Arabians, Meunites, and the Ammonites.
Uzziah built cities in the territory of the Philistines and fortified Jerusalem with new towers.
He had expansive herds of animals and employed many farmers.
His army numbered 307,500 men. During his reign, his engineers made armor, weapons, and machines that could shoot arrows and large stones from the city towers.
PRIDE ENTERS UZZIAH’S HEART (26:16-23):
After God made him strong, Uzziah grew proud, and disrespected the Lord and His Temple by offering incense on the altar within the Holy Place.
Only the priests were allowed to enter the Temple.
A priest named Azariah, along with 80 other priests, confronted Uzziah while he was in the Temple. They told him he had sinned by entering the sanctuary.
Instead of being repentant, Uzziah became angry with the priests.
God punished him immediately by causing leprosy to break out on his forehead.
Uzziah was afflicted by the leprosy till the day of his death.
Because leprosy was contagious and there was no cure, Uzziah lived alone in a separate house.
His son, Jotham, became the public face of the kingdom.
Jotham became king when his father died.
