2 Chronicles 26:10

He built towers in the desert— William of Tyre describes a country not far from the Euphrates, as inhabited by Syrian and Armenian Christians, that fed great flocks and herds there, but were in subjection to the Turks; who, though few in number, yet living in strong places among them, kept them under, and received tribute from these poor peasants, who inhabited the villages, and employed themselves in rural business. I do not know whether this may not give a juster idea of the design of these towers which Uzziah built in the wilderness, than commentators have done; who have supposed that they were conveniencies made for sheltering the shepherds from bad weather, or for defending them from the incursions of enemies; for they might rather be designed to keep the nations that pastured there in awe, to prevent their disputing with his servants about wells, and to induce them quietly to pay that tribute to which the 7th and 8th verses seem to refer. Observations, p. 346.