Can an efficient, successful, and godly king go astray? Today’s text answers with a loud affirmative. “Before a downfall the heart is haughty” (Proverbs 18:12). Pride can lead one to ruin.

Uzziah begins his reign when he is only 16 years old, while Amaziah is still alive. We read that “he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done” (2 Chronicles 26:4). In fact, for much of his reign Uzziah does much better than Amaziah.

Building on Amaziah’s victories against Edom, he recaptures Elath on the Red Sea (v. 2). God helps him against the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites. He extends Judah’s borders westward and southward, and builds cities in Philistine territory. Ammonites bring him tribute, and his fame is recognised as far as Egypt (vv. 6–8). He fortifies Jerusalem’s wall and constructs towers and cisterns in the desert, to encourage the rearing of livestock. Agriculture and viticulture flourish in his days, because “he loved the soil” (v. 10).

Uzziah’s army is well-trained, well-organised, and well-equipped (vv. 11–14). He has machines designed that can be used to defend Jerusalem, perhaps wooden towers from which projectiles can be launched (v. 15).

In short, Uzziah enjoys a long and prosperous reign, marked by military successes, well-planned building works, and good organisation. The land yields abundant produce. Much of the damage caused by Amaziah’s reign is repaired. Uzziah is a talented and energetic leader, on a par with Jehoshaphat.

But success leads to pride, and pride to unfaithfulness (vv. 16–20). Only priests could minister in the temple, but Uzziah enters the temple to burn incense, as though his successes entitled him to carry out the roles of both priest and king. Azariah the chief priest and 80 other priests confront him: God will not honour you for this. Uzziah starts to argue heatedly with the priests, but a skin disease breaks out on his forehead, a clear sign of God’s judgment (Numbers 12). He is now unclean; the priests rush him out of the temple, and he is only too glad to leave.

For the rest of his life, Uzziah lives apart, barred from the temple by his disease. His son Jotham rules Judah during his last years (2 Chronicles 26:21). Uzziah is buried near the earlier kings of Judah, but cannot be buried with them because of his disease (v. 23). It is a sad end for a king who has accomplished so much good.

Jotham continues Uzziah’s policies, fortification and building work in Jerusalem and Judah, and military success against the Ammonites (27:1–5). His growing power does not lead him astray, because of his commitment to the Lord (v. 6). He is careful not to enter the temple. Uzziah without Uzziah’s folly, we might say.

A faithful king like Jotham brings blessing to his people, but even such a king cannot guarantee his people’s commitment. We read that the people “continued their corrupt practices” (v. 2)—referring, perhaps, to their persistent worship at the high places. This ominous note prepares us for the account of Ahaz which follows.