2 Chronicles 26:16

_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._ HE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD ... - (see the note at 2 Kings 15:5.) This daring and wicked act is in both records traced to the intoxicating influence of overweening pride and vanity. But here the additional circumstances are stated, that his entrance was opposed, and strong remonstrances made (1 Chronicles 6:10), by the high priest, who was accompanied by 80 inferior priests....

16-23 The transgression of the kings before Uzziah was, forsaking the temple of the Lord, and burning incense upon idolatrous altars. But his transgression was, going into the holy place, and attempting to burn incense upon the altar of God. See how hard it is to avoid one extreme, and not run into another. Pride of heart was at the bottom of his sin; a lust that ruins many. Instead of lifting up the name God in gratitude to him who had done so much for him, his heart was lifted up to his hurt. Men's pretending to forbidden knowledge, and seeking things too high for them, are owing to pride of heart. The incense of our prayers must be, by faith, put into the hands of our Lord Jesus, the great High Priest of our profession, else we cannot expect it to be accepted by God, Revelation 8:3. Though Uzziah strove with the priests, he would not strive with his Maker. But he was punished for his...

Verse 2 Chronicles 26:16. _HE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD_] "He sinned against the WORD of the Lord his God." - _T_. _WENT INTO THE TEMPLE TO BURN INCENSE_] Thus assuming to himself the priest's office. See this whole transaction explained in the notes on 2 Kings 15:5....

TO HIS DESTRUCTION - Rather, “to do wickedly.” Uzziah appears to have deliberately determined to invade the priest’s office (marginal reference “m”), thus repeating the sin of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Numbers 16:1....

EXPOSITION The twenty-three verses of this chapter, entirely occupied with the career of Uzziah, have to be content with a parallel of nine verses only, viz. 2 Kings 14:21, 2 Kings 14:22; 2 Kings 15:1. Our chapter first glances at the usual prefatory particulars of the age, pedigree, length of reign, kind of character, and choice between virtue and vice of the new king (2 Chronicles 26:1; but note the remarkable appearance of 2 Chronicles 26:2, looking as though it had strayed). Next, of his good works ...

WHEN HE WAS STRONG,.... Became great and powerful, through his victories, the enlargement of his dominions, and having a numerous army, and these well accoutred, and many fortified cities and towers: HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP TO HIS DESTRUCTION; he grew vain and proud, elated with his flourishing circumstances, which issued in his ruin: FOR HE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD HIS GOD; who had helped him, and made him so great, and had bestowed so many favours upon him; the Targum is, "the Word of the Lord his God;'' what his transgression was, follows: AND WENT INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD; the holy place, into which none but the priests might enter: TO BURN INCENSE UPON THE ALTAR OF INCENSE; which stood there....

CHAPTER 26 THE REIGN OF UZZIAH _ 1. The beginning of his reign (2 Chronicles 26:1)_ 2. Uzziah's success and fortifications (2 Chronicles 26:6) 3. Uzziah's sin and leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16) 4. The death of Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:22) The Son of Amaziah, Uzziah, in his sixteenth year, was made king by the people. In Second Kings 15 he is called Azariah. (In the annotations on 2 Kings 15:1 an explanation is given on this double name of Uzziah.) Isaiah was then pro

THE REIGN OF UZZIAH (see notes on 2 Kings 14:21 to 2 Kings 15:7). The Chronicler amplifies considerably the account of this reign in 2 K. which is very meagre: his additions are in all probability based, in the main, upon some historical source, since fuller records of this reign, which was one of the longest in the history of Judah, must have been in existence. 2 Chronicles 26:1. Uzziah: called Azariah in 2 Kings 14:21; 2 Kings 15:1, etc., which is probably a mistake; in...

WHEN HE WAS STRONG. See note on 2 Chronicles 26:15. TRANSGRESSED. Hebrew. _ma'al._ App-44....

_to_his _destruction_ R.V. SO THAT HE DID CORRUPTLY; cp. 2 Chronicles 27:2 (the same Heb. word). _he transgressed_ R.V. TRESPASSED; cp. 2 Chronicles 12:2; Joshua 7:1; Joshua 22:16. The Heb. word implies presumptuous dealing with holy things. _the altar of incense_ Cp. Exodus 30:1-10. Not only the altar, but the incense Itself was "most holy"; _ib._Exodus 30:34-38....