INTRODUCTION: Uzziah was a prosperous king until he allowed himself to swell up with pride. His prosperity turned to his fall when he tried to take the work of the priests upon himself. A king that started with so much potential died as a leper because his heart was lifted up with pride.

1. THE BEGINNING OF UZZIAH’S REIGN (2 Chronicles 26:1-4 [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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:1-4 [1] In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. [2] Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. [3] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; [4] Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
   See All...)
1. The Details of the Reign (2 Chronicles 26:1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
   See All..., 3; 2 Kings 15:1-2 [1] In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. [2] Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
   See All...)
1. Began in the 27th year of Jeroboam, king of Israel (2 Kings 15:1In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
   See All...)
2. Began when he was 16 years old (2 Chronicles 26:1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
   See All..., 3; 2 Kings 15:2Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
   See All...)
3. He reigned 52 years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:3Sixteen 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:2Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
   See All...).
4. His mother’s name was Jecoliah (2 Chronicles 26:3Sixteen 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:2Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
   See All...).
2. The Character of His Reign (2 Chronicles 26:4And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:3-4 [3] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; [4] Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
   See All...)
1. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did (2 Chronicles 26:4And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:3And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
   See All...).
2. However, he failed to remove the high places. The people sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places (2 Kings 15:4Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
   See All...).
3. His First Order of Business (2 Chronicles 26:2He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
   See All...; 2 Kings 14:22He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
   See All...)
1. He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah.
2. He did so after the king (Amaziah) slept with his fathers.
2. UZZIAH’S PROSPERITY (2 Chronicles 26:5-15 [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.
   See All...)
1. The Reason for His Prosperity (2 Chronicles 26:5And 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.
   See All...)
1. He sought God in the days of Zechariah.
2. As long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper (Psalm 34:10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
   See All...).
2. The Areas of His Prosperity (2 Chronicles 26:6-15 [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.
   See All...)
1. He was prosperous in battle (2 Chronicles 26:6-7 [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.
   See All...).
1. Against the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6-7 [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.
   See All...)
1. He broke down walls in Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod (2 Chronicles 26:6And 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.
   See All...).
2. He built cities amongst the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6And 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.
   See All...).
2. Against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal (2 Chronicles 26:7And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
   See All...)
3. Against the Mehunims (2 Chronicles 26:7And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
   See All...)
2. He was prosperous in foreign relations (2 Chronicles 26:8And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
   See All...).
1. The Ammonites gave him gifts.
2. His name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt.
3. He was prosperous in national security (2 Chronicles 26:9-15 [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.
   See All...).
1. In construction (2 Chronicles 26:9-10 [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.
   See All...)
1. He built towers in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:9Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
   See All...).
2. He built towers in the desert (2 Chronicles 26:10Also 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.
   See All...).
2. In agriculture (2 Chronicles 26:10Also 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.
   See All...)
1. He digged many wells.
2. He had much cattle.
3. He had husbandmen and vine dressers.
3. In military might (2 Chronicles 26:11-15 [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.
   See All...)
1. The military was organized (2 Chronicles 26:11Moreover 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.
   See All...).
2. The military was strong in number (2 Chronicles 26:12-13 [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.
   See All...).
1. The number of the mighty men of valour numbered 2600 (2 Chronicles 26:12The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
   See All...).
2. The army numbered 307,500 (2 Chronicles 26:13And 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.
   See All...).
3. The weaponry was increased (2 Chronicles 26:14-15 [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.
   See All...).
1. For hand to hand combat (2 Chronicles 26:14And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
   See All...)
1. Shields
2. Spears
3. Helmets
4. Habergeons
5. Bows
6. Slings
2. For arial attack (2 Chronicles 26:15And 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.
   See All...)
1. Engines to sit upon towers and bulwarks
2. To shoot arrows and great stones
3. Note: This would be a total of seven different weapons.
3. The Result of His Prosperity (2 Chronicles 26:15And 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.
   See All...)
1. His name spread far abroad.
2. He was marvelously helped.
3. He was strong.
3. UZZIAH’S FALL (2 Chronicles 26:16-20 [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. [17] And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: [18] And 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. [19] Then 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. [20] And 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:5And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.
   See All...)
1. The Reason for His Fall (2 Chronicles 26:16But 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.
   See All...)
1. He was strong. Note: We are often more vulnerable in times of strength.
2. His heart was lifted up to his destruction.
2. The Transgression of Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-20 [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. [17] And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: [18] And 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. [19] Then 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. [20] And 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.
   See All...)
1. He went into the temple to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26:16But 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.
   See All...).
2. Azariah and 80 other priests went in after Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
   See All...).
3. The priests withstood Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:18And 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.
   See All...).
1. They told him that the burning of incense did not appertain to him.
2. They told him that incense should only be burnt by the consecrated sons of Aaron.
3. They told him to leave the sanctuary.
4. They warned him of the judgment of God.
1. He had trespassed.
2. It would not be for his honour from the LORD God.
4. The Lord smote Uzziah with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:19-20 [19] Then 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. [20] And 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.
   See All...).
1. Uzziah was wroth with the priests (2 Chronicles 26:19Then 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.
   See All...).
2. Leprosy rose up in his forehead before the priests (2 Chronicles 26:19Then 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.
   See All...).
3. The priests thrust him out of the sanctuary (2 Chronicles 26:20And 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.
   See All...).
4. Uzziah hasted to go out, knowing he was smitten of the LORD (2 Chronicles 26:20And 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:5And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.
   See All...).
4. THE END OF UZZIAH’S REIGN (2 Chronicles 26:21-23 [21] And 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. [22] Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write. [23] So 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:5-7 [5] And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land. [6] And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [7] So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
   See All...)
1. His Last Days (2 Chronicles 26:21And 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:5And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land.
   See All...)
1. He was a leper unto the day of his death.
2. He dwelt in a several house.
3. He was cut off from the house of the Lord.
4. Jotham, his son, was over the king’s house and judged the people.
2. The Rest of His Acts (2 Chronicles 26:22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:6And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
   See All...)
1. Some found in 2 Kings 15
2. Some found in 2 Chronicles 26
3. Some found in Isaiah 1-6
3. His Death (2 Chronicles 26:23So 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.
   See All...; 2 Kings 15:7So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
   See All...)
1. Uzziah slept with his fathers.
2. They buried him in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings.
3. He was remembered as being a leper.
4. Jotham, his son, reigned in his stead.

CONCLUSION: Uzziah was a great king and was greatly blessed of the Lord. At the peak of his strength, he began to trust in himself. His strength led to his fall. It is often in times of perceived strength that saints of God become most vulnerable.