1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah , who was sixteen years old , and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah . 2He built Eloth , and restored it to Judah , after that the king slept with his fathers . 3Sixteen 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 . 4And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD , according to all that his father Amaziah did . 5And 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 .
Military Conquests and Infrastructure Development
6And 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 . 7And God helped him against the Philistines , and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal , and the Mehunims . 8And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah : and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt ; for he strengthened himself exceedingly . 9Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate , and at the valley gate , and at the turning of the wall , and fortified them. 10Also 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 . 11Moreover 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 . 12The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred . 13And 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 . 14And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields , and spears , and helmets , and habergeons , and bows , and slings to cast stones . 15And 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 .
Uzziah's Pride and Downfall
16But 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 . 17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD , that were valiant men : 18And they withstood Uzziah the king , and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah , to burn incense unto the LORD , but to the priests the sons of Aaron , that are consecrated to burn incense : go out of the sanctuary ; for thou hast trespassed ; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God . 19Then Uzziah was wroth , and had a censer in his hand to burn incense : and while he was wroth with the priests , the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD , from beside the incense altar . 20And Azariah the chief priest , and all the priests , looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead , and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out , because the LORD had smitten him. 21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death , and dwelt in a several house , being a leper ; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD : and Jotham his son was over the king’s house , judging the people of the land . 22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah , first and last , did Isaiah the prophet , the son of Amoz , write . 23So Uzziah slept with his fathers , and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings ; for they said , He is a leper : and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.