King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 26:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 26:1 in the King James Version says “Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. Uzziah: or, Azariah”

2 Chronicles 26:1 · KJV

Context

1

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

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.

Read 2 Chronicles 26 full chapter

Commentary

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

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Prosperity leading to pride and presumption. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּקְח֞וּ1 of 16

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כָּל2 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַ֤ם3 of 16

“Then all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יְהוּדָה֙4 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶת5 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ6 of 16

“Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

וְה֕וּא7 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בֶּן8 of 16

“old”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שֵׁ֥שׁ9 of 16

“who was sixteen”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה10 of 16
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֑ה11 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וַיַּמְלִ֣יכוּ12 of 16

“and made him king”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

אֹת֔וֹ13 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תַּ֖חַת14 of 16
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אָבִ֥יו15 of 16

“in the room of his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲמַצְיָֽהוּ׃16 of 16

“Amaziah”

H558

amatsjah, the name of four israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 26:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 26:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 1:8-92 Chronicles 22:11 Chronicles 3:122 Chronicles 33:252 Kings 15:1-72 Kings 14:21

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