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Bible reading: 2
Chronicles 26:1-15
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. 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. 6 And he went forth and warred against the
Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of
Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod,
and among the Philistines. 7 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. 11 Moreover Uzziah
had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands,
according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel
the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah,
one of the king’s captains. 12 The whole number of the
chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two
thousand and six hundred. 13 And under their hand was an
army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five
hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king
against the enemy. 14 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.
As long as Uzziah
sought the Lord, and minded religion, God made him to prosper.
Only those prosper whom God makes to prosper; for prosperity is
his gift. Many have owned, that as long as they sought the Lord,
and kept close to their duty, they prospered; but when they
forsook God, every thing went cross.
God never continues either to bless the indolent or to withhold
his blessing from the diligent. He will never suffer any to seek
his face in vain. Uzziah's name was famed throughout all the
neighboring countries. A name with God and good people makes truly
honorable. He did not delight in war, nor addict himself to
sports, but delighted in husbandry.
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