King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, July 08, 2025
Chapters: II Kings 15, II Chronicles 26
Message: II Kings/II Chronicles: Uzziah Reigns in Judah
Hello My Friend,
As we return to the reading of II Kings and II Chronicles we learn that the help and strength of every Christian is Christ and pride certainly does come before the fall. Jesus, said it this way, [John 15:5-6 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.]
Recently we learned about Amaziah’s pride when Judah became a strong nation under God’s hand and how he turned on God when he begin worshiping the idols he took from Edom and how he started a civil war with Israel then was later assassinated. Today, we learn of his son, Azariah (Uzziah), reigning after him. Uzziah, was the longest running king of all of Judah and had done more to restore the kingdom than any king since David.
[2 Kings 15:1-4 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. 2 Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; 4 Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.]
Uzziah, followed God as his father did before he turned on God. The high places were altars that the people used for offering sacrifices to God, not for ceremonial purposes, but to honor Him, but they often used the altars to burn incense and worship false gods as well, which is why they became a nuisance. Even we as Christians need to be careful in our worship of God as there are many things that He does not want us to be doing, [1 Corinthians 8:5-7 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.]
Keep in mind that the passage in regards to gods and lords is referring to men of authority who were often called gods or lords and not spiritual gods, [1. God; The Supreme Being; Jehovah; 2. god;. A false god; a heathen deity; an idol. 3. god; A prince; a ruler; a magistrate or judge.]
When I noticed that both of his names were written in the same chapter I was curious to know why as it was not uncommon for the Hebrews to interchange their name according to what was going on in their lives. [Azariah; Whom Jehovah helps. Uzziah; Strength of Jehovah.] II Chronicles, goes into more detail the account.
[2 Chronicles 26:1-5 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. 2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. 3 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. 4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. 5 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.]
Think about it, God, gladly helped Uzziah, and because he sought God He gave him the strength to do whatever it is that He called us to do. Our names mean something to God, which is why they always fit perfectly, in fact, we will have new names when we get to heaven, [Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.]
Since we can do nothing apart from Christ, as long as we seek the LORD with all of our heart we will be prosperous in what He calls us to do. By the way, Christ is our strength, the second we think that we can do anything in our own strength that is when God will step back and we will learn the hard way that He was our strength. Now, under the mighty hand of God Uzziah became a mighty king, and respected by the nations.
[2 Chronicles 26:7-10 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. 8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. 9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. 10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged 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 Carmel: for he loved husbandry.]
Notice that it says that he strengthened himself, and this is exactly where we need to be careful as personal pride can often get in the way of God’s glory. Interestingly, Uzziah, had a deep interest in farming, much like God does, [1 Corinthians 3:8-9 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.]
We who are saved and born again should be mindful to realize that we are the temple of the living God and that ought to keep us from doing things that we ought not be doing. Meanwhile, back in the Northern Kingdom, when God had Jehu anointed as king he said it would only be for four generations, and now that time had come to pass. Jeroboam II died and now his son, Zachariah, reigned.
[2 Kings 15:8-10,12 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months. 9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. 12 This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.]
It is interesting to note that the assassinations actually became wide out in the open, there was no shame in their killing a king. When you think about it, they had no shame in crucifying our own KING, in fact, the more that the governor had tried to release Jesus, they louder they shouted, “Crucify Him!” [Mark 15:12-15 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. 15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.]
Did you notice that it is the “religious” crowd that is ready to sell out to Jesus than the world? Then again, the majority of the “religious” crowd are of the world anyway. I imagine that it was pretty scary to be in charge of Israel back then, they were probably constantly looking over their shoulders everywhere they went, such as the case with the next king, Shallum who was assassinated by Menahem. Well Menahem managed to make it ten years as king, but made a huge mistake when they were ambushed by Assyria and paid for their peace.
[2 Kings 15:13-14,16,19-20 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria. 14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. 16 Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up. 19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20 And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.]
The world will never comprehend the fact that you cannot buy freedom. All of this could have been turned around had they just humbled themselves to God and gotten rid of those stupid calves. Selling Israel’s freedom did not go over too well, as soon as Menahem, his son reigned and it did not take long before Assyria sieges the land and carried the majority of the people into Assyria, which was also the last year that Uzziah was king in Judah.
[2 Kings 15:23,25,27,29 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. 25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room. 27 In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years. 29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.]
This began God’s plan to remove the children of Israel from the nation out of His sight because of their refusal to humble themselves to Him, [Deuteronomy 4:26-27 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. 27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.]
Meanwhile back in Judah, things did not end very well for Uzziah, and it was not old age that ended his reign. The more the nation prospered the prouder he became in his own strength, even to the point that he walked straight into the temple to try to burn incense upon the altar of incense. Why he felt the need to do this is beyond reason, but this was something that only a consecrated priest was able to do.
[2 Chronicles 26:14-17 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. 15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. 16 But when 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. 17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:]
This was not the type of pride that one has for doing their best or having guilt over sin, this was the worst form of pride that one can have and that is arrogance. This is the type of pride that the devil has and just like it will bring him to his own destruction when Christ returns, it will do the same to anyone else, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
Eighty priests tried to stop Uzziah from making the biggest mistake he would ever make, but there was nothing they could do, [2 Chronicles 26:19-22 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. 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 the LORD had smitten him. 21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several 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. 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.]
This actually should have been the death of him as even priests died trying to light the altar of incense, but God chose to keep him alive. Did you notice that he ran out of there? The only thing that Uzziah had going for him at this point was that he did not turn on God like his father did. Now, even when we are saved we can mess up really bad to the point that we die in our sin, but thankfully that is why we are saved by grace and not our works, [1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.]
God, handles Israel a little differently than He does the rest of His people because He made a covenant (union) with Abraham, then with David, that was different for their time. He also made a different covenant with all of His believers today. The more we learn about and walk with Christ the more we prosper as long as we keep ourselves humble. We get nowhere with God through pride, and that along with fear brings us to those falls, but thankfully, it is Christ who gets us back up, even stronger through Him. Finally, we learn about Jotham, Uzziah’s son who took over when he was leprous.
[2 Kings 15:32-35,37 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. 33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. 34 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD. 37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.]
This was the pathway which was between the temple and the king’s palace. It is very important in our union with Christ that we keep the pathway not only open, but that it be narrow and strait, [Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Your judgments are true and just, whether they be the cause of my own actions or Yours. Everything we go through is meant to grow, strengthen, discipline, and guide us to be the best that You know we can be. Just like a parent or teacher pushes us a little bit harder to excel, so do You, Your commands and laws are not meant to keep us from living life, they are meant to give us the best life we can live in this wicked and corrupt world. Lord, lead us and guide us, help us to watch, pray, and listen for You in everything that we do, let us never forget that You are our strength and power, and fill us with Your mercy and grace to keep us humble. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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