what happened when king uzziah died
[Calmet] 758 (Common Chronology). “How the mighty have fallen.” This epithet adequately sums up the life of King Uzziah, the subject of our next bioarchaeograpy. Prosperity and success blurred the King’s vision and he failed to see that God was the Cause for success. For many that was a similar time, a time of genuine grief and real despair. King Uzziah is one of the most controversial characters in the Old Testament. 42. King Uzziah of Judah 26 1-3 After the death of King Amaziah, the people of Judah crowned his son Uzziah[ a] king, even though he was only sixteen at the time. https://ferrelljenkins.blog/2014/01/30/visualizing-isaiah-6-king-uzziah/, https://gath.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/the-2009-season-is-over, https://gath.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/view-of-philistine-temple-and-amos-earthquake/, https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/353190, https://biblearchaeology.org/research/topics-by-chronology/divided-monarchy/4197-the-geography-and-military-strategy-of-king-uzziah-an-expansionist-policy-that-led-to-his-destruction, https://www.ritmeyer.com/2011/06/22/the-water-gate-of-jerusalem/, https://gath.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/talk-on-8th-cent-bce-at-gath/, https://biblearchaeology.org/current-events-list/4388-geological-study-confirms-earthquake-mentioned-by-amos, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00206810009465104, King Uzziah: An Archaeological Biography – Biblical Scholarship, King Jehoiachin: An Archaeological Biography – Bible Archaeology Report, Top Three Reports in Biblical Archaeology – February 2021, Scholar’s Chair Interview: Dr. Todd Bolen, King Manasseh: An Archaeological Biography, Top Three Reports in Biblical Archaeology – January 2021, Scholar’s Chair Interview: Dr. Charles Aling. If people don't agree with them, then they will give up the position. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1983), 118. Isaiah 6:1 "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." There was a defining moment when he was made a leper in the temple for his anger. Uzziah lived by the Principles of Life from the LORD via the prophet for 52 years, but when he became famous and powerful he thought he could change the Laws of the LORD to suit himself. 19 Aren Maeir, “Talk on 8th cent. Question: "Why did God strike Uzzah dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant?" His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. He thought he could act like a priest and that is where it all became too much and God taught him a lesson. April 30, 2009. https://biblearchaeology.org/research/topics-by-chronology/divided-monarchy/4197-the-geography-and-military-strategy-of-king-uzziah-an-expansionist-policy-that-led-to-his-destruction (Accessed July 30, 2020. Well . (II Chronicles 26:1) King Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. It happened in the Temple, the place where Jewish people gathered for worship. For as long as I have lived, Queen Elizabeth has set on the throne of Great Britain. Uzziah, also spelled Ozias, also called Azariah, orAzarias, in the Old Testament (2 Chronicles 26), son and successor of Amaziah, and king of Judah for 52 years (c. 791–739 bc).. Assyrian records indicate that Uzziah reigned for 42 years (c. 783–742).His reign marked the height of Judah’s power. His reign was "the most prosperous excepting that of Jehoshaphat since the time of Solomon." Even when we’ve been diligent and worked hard for what is achieved, God is the source of every good and perfect gift to us. I quote this from a tract titled "How to Be Perfectly Miserable". Vol. . The Bible evaluates the reign of King Uzziah with the word “good.” He rose to his position as King over all of Judah at the age of 16 and in all he reigned for 52 years. 5 Lawrence J. Mykytiuk, Identifying Biblical Persons in Northwest Semitic Inscriptions of 1200-539 B.C.E. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 657. And Jotham, his son, was over the king’s household, governing the people of the land. In the year that King Uzziah died. However the death of the king… One reads, “belonging to Abiyau, servant of Uzziah.”2 It is made of agate, depicts a kneeling Egyptian figure, and was likely used in a ring.3 The second seal is made of red limestone and reads, “Belonging to Sebnayau, servant of Uzziah.”4 It depicts a man holding a scepter in his left hand with this right hand raised. Be jealous and envious. Long Live the King! In this time of crisis, God encouraged Isaiah by showing the prophet that He was still in control. As the ark was being transported, the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, and a man named Uzzah took hold of the ark. And it happened that “when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the Ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Dr. Bolen took time to share with me about how his ministry began and what he's got planned for upcoming resources. Uzziah Rules in Judah. Isaiah's faith could not be in kings like Uzziah; his faith had to begin with God Himself. Do not open.” 8 The inscription does not date to the time of Uzziah, but to sometime between the Hasmonean and early Roman periods (ca 150 BC- 50AD).9 It appears to be a marker indicating that the bones of the Judahite king had been moved to a new burial location, likely because the city had expanded. Further he defended the country pretty well. This would be consistent with Uzziah’s building of towers and cisterns in the wilderness, and may have been a strategic attempt to build a string of fortified settlements could defend the eastern border of the kingdom and control access to the trade routes.13 The round, Iron-Age cistern at Qumran can still be seen today. It was in the year that Uzziah died that Isaiah received his call. Jotham's name means "God is perfect" or "God is complete". He kept the local opposition in check, and built up the agriculture of the region with flocks and herds, vineyards and orchards. As I see the biblical account unfold: at the height of Uzziah’s success, when he felt invincible and in authority and might above all other leaders in the surrounding lands, then it was that he *stepped over the line*. Even in the local church I have seen deacons defending their territory, Sabbath school superintendents reading the riot act about finishing times, visual arts directors getting their noses out of joint, church organists and singing groups with guitars standing at ten paces with swords drawn, and so on. 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Who knows what was going on in his life that day. If you appreciate this site, you can say "Thank you!" But Judah was in special danger, because Tiglath-Pileser III had ascended the throne of Assyria a few years before, in 745 B.C., and immediately went on the warpath that made his nation an invincible superpower that threatened the independent existence of all nations in the Near East. Are we Saved by Faith or Works or a Faith That Works? King Uzziah’s life has been affirmed and illuminated through archaeological findings over the course of more than 100 years. "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord…" Uzziah had given his people a time of peace and stability through his wise and godly leadership. New American Standard Bible In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Uzziah started out well, but he forfeited the success God had given him. Will that affect my eternal life? According to the biblical record, Uzziah’s strength caused him to become proud, which led to his destruction. Uzziah ruled fifty-two years from Jerusalem, the hometown of his mother Jecoliah. Who knows if he was even thinking about God and heavenly things. 1. 3 Lawrence J. Mykytiuk, Identifying Biblical Persons in Northwest Semitic Inscriptions of 1200-539 B.C.E. It lists some things you can do that will not only make you perfectly miserable but also keep you that way. He ruled for over 50 years and from all accounts was pretty successful. . King Uzziah’s death: After 52 years of reigning, leprosy caused the death of king Uzziah, and Isaiah began his prophetic ministry that year. And the angels were singing: “Holy, holy, … His reign was "the most prosperous excepting that of Jehoshaphat since the time of Solomon.". 13. Of course, chronological markers are not necessarily as … Uzziah was not a peace-loving proto-Adventist. It wasn’t his intellect or ability alone that got him where he was. He served the tribe of Judah for 52 long years. He was also loved by some and hated by others. Is the longer a person in a leadership position make them too confident, or overconfident and eventually being vulnerable to be careless? He wanted to merge state, his kingly power with religious, spiritual power; but God did not allow this. 5. Success is an active breeding ground for pride. And he built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil” (2 Chr 26:9-10). We see the marker of time put at the front of the verse and gloss right over it to the good parts. King Uzziah was a good king. One day King Uzziah entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. And Jotham the king’s son was over the royal house, judging the people of the land. Isaiah prophesied when Uzziah (or Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah and the Kings of Judah were in power. Although Uzziah’s reign was long and prosperous, “when he had become strong he grew proud, to his destruction” (2 Chron: 26:16, NRSV) and attempted to offer incense in the temple. Who knows what his week had been like. That’s why God asks for a humble heart. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. The Bible declares, “Then Uzziah became furious….And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead” (v. 19). For me i am talking to each of us who're Christians no matter whether you're a church leader in any position or you're just a leader of any group let it be your family,classmates,workmates name it we're supposed to be intelligent enough not to allow this character to develop within ourselves ie we should be more prayful because we cant manage if God is not for us. He was able to strengthen the might of Judah because “he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all hat his father Amaziah did. Which of the Principles of the LORD can I change to suit me? In the news this month: something deciphered, something discovered and something damaged. 26:10, in NIV Archaeological Study Bible (ed. Further, Lachish (Level III) and Beth Shemesh (Level II) appear to have been constructed by Uzziah and display sophisticated urban planning.14, Remains of First-Temple era artifacts and architecture are rare in Jerusalem, as it has been both destroyed and built over numerous times. Think about yourself. Imagine having a ruler that was good . Read 2 Chronicles . What was going to happen now that the great king was gone? Title Photo: Epitaph of King Uzziah of Judah, Jerusalem, 1st century BCE-1st century CE, Limestone, https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/353190 Photo © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. He simply called it "the year that King Uzziah died" (Isa.6:1). He had to leave Jerusalem at once and live in seclusion. Uzziah began his long rule over Judah at the age of 16, during the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel. Here were the top three reports in biblical archaeology in February 2021. 26 and then answer this question: What is the significance of King Uzziah’s death? The point here really isn't the date so much as the fact that this was the year that King Uzziah died. The researchers used carbon-14 to date the organic matter in the deformed layers. Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. Isaiah experienced a deep sense of … “THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED. King Uzziah is one of the most controversial characters in the Old Testament. BCE at Gath,” Dec. 14, 2010. https://gath.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/talk-on-8th-cent-bce-at-gath/ (Accessed Aug. 6, 2020). 11. His death left a void . 2. Let the righteous rebuke me. Scripture also records Uzziah’s expansion by conquest: “He went out and made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines” (2 Chr 26:6). In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. He did many good things (2 Chronicles 26) … King Jeroboam II of Israel was a descendant of King Jehu. 1.2.3. We get so bound up in what we do that we think we are important. She has been an inspiration to her subjects for 65 years. Then the LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death; so he dwelt in an isolated house. If you follow biblical archaeology, you've likely seen the work of my next guest in the scholar's chair: Dr. Todd Bolen - the man behind BiblePlaces. He really saw the Lord!!! (Boston: Brill, 2004), 153-154. Talk about yourself. Over and over again God has to remove our friends [or ppl we are attached to], to put Himself in their place, and that is … And is there any message in it for us… When King Uzziah died Isaiah surrendered his life . Considering that I am nearing retirement age, this is quite a feat. 7. All of us remember the year when John F. Kennedy died. Uzziah took the throne at the age of 16, and reigned for about 52 years. 16:18). The Bible records that there was as significant earthquake in Judah in the days of King Uzziah (Amos 1:1, Zech. In 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 we find some information about king Uzziah. A fragmentary inscription from the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III mentions “Azariah of Judah” (Uzziah’s other name) several times. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Uzziah died—Either literal death, or civil when he ceased as a leper to exercise his functions as king [Chaldee], (2Ch 26:19-21). Expect to be appreciated. Your email address will not be published. Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. All of his success came from the Lord. In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. It is predicted that a few years before the death of Uzziah, in 740s BC, Isaiah began his prophesizing career and continued for about forty four years, which rightly explains that … And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper, lived in a separate house. The reign of Uzziah started off well because of his desire to seek the Lord, but something tragic happened to this young king: And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. . Online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00206810009465104 (Accessed Aug. 6, 2020). From the events in this call, we get a good assessment of the conditions in Judah as Uzziah’s 52 year reign came to a close. “Azariah of Judah.” American Journal of The Semitic Languages and Literatures. Long Live the King! The prophet Isaiah mentions Uzziah as a way to advance a more important announcement, the coming of Immanuel (7:10-25) who would unify his people … Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rom 12:9-11KJV. Uzziah was a God fearing king. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6,7 also 1 Chronicles 13:9-12). He attempted to burn incense in the Temple, an act restricted to priests. His father, Amaziah, reigned over a turbulent time in Jewish-Israelite relations—conflict between both sides had resulted in Jerusalem being ransacked and destroyed by the Israelites. Jerusalem: Hebrew University, 1989. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem. In the year that King Uzziah died, I SAW THE LORD SITTING UPON A THRONE. The prophet is not named but it might have beenZechariah 'who had understanding in the visions of God'(2Ch 26:5) (not to beconfused with Zechariah of the book of prophecy of that name). He did many good things (2 Chronicles 26) but later became authoritarian and lost favor with God. Isaiah. 1.2.4. King Uzziah sought the Lord “during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God.” This Zechariah is most likely a godly prophet to whom Uzziah listened. Uzziah reigned for 52 years, and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Uzziah took the throne at the age of 16, and reigned for about 52 years. He raised and equipped a large and powerful army (2 Chron 26:11ff) and built great war machines for his archers (2 Chron 26:15a). Someone once quipped that age cures all sins except pride, and having reached that certain age I am beginning to understand that its no joke. He had an army of over 300,000 fighting men, He also had a whole armaments industry going making swords, spears and sling-shots. 1 Ewin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings. He was one of the greatest kings of Judah, reigning for 52 years, from ca. This is not the first beginning of Isaiah's prophecies, but his inauguration to a higher degree of the prophetic office: Isa 6:9, &c., implies the tone of one who had already experience of the people's obstinacy. In the year that the Space Shuttle blew up. He died fifty-two years after he had ascended the throne of Judea. You see, before Isaiah could fill the role of prophet, he had to know which king was really the King. . Uzziah 's Forceful Reign. The Year King Uzziah Died… To me, that phrase is a powerful one. 8 Clyde E. Fant and Mitchell G. Reddish, Lost Treasures of the Bible. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.” (2 Chronicles 26:21, NIV) What a price to pay! Scripture records that he, “…built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the Angle, and fortified them. Based on the shapes of the letters and the styles of the seals, both date to the time of King Uzziah. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Do you think its the same with many leaders today? In 1931, a burial plaque came to light; it was rediscovered by E.L Sukenik, professor of archaeology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, while he was looking at items in the Russian Orthodox monastery on the Mount of Olives. This is what happened to Uzziah. During a high point in his life, he let it slip from his mind and demeanor Who blessed him with what he had achieved . He had achieved great things for Judah, and at some point he forgot that it was the Lord’s doing, not his. In the earlier part of his reign, under the influence of a prophet named Zechariah, he was faithful to God, and "did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Kings 15:3; 2 Chronicles 26:4–5). He was a godly man and ruled Israel well. 754 B.C. ( Log Out / In many ways he honored God and he had a lot of success and power. b. Never forget a service you may have rendered. (Amos 1:1) The earthquake is also mentioned in the Book of Zechariah This was Moses’ warning to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 8, and it’s a timeless warning … Through all of the changes that happened over the passage of time, the constant was that the people knew that the good King Uzziah was still ruling on the throne. Presently the king was smitten with the most terrible of all maladies, leprosy. 2Chron.26:1-23 - By all accounts, Uzziah was a very effective and benevolent leader. He saw the Lord. And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lᴏʀᴅ, but for the priests….Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed!’” (2 Chr. Remember what he prayed? Their analysis documented 11 earthquakes in Israel during the Bronze and Iron ages, including two in the 8th century BC.20 The larger of the two 8th-century BC earthquakes was likely the one that is remembered from the days of Uzziah. ( Log Out / Associates for Biblical Research. 2. I think it’s David in Psalm 141. Walter C. Kaiser Jr and Duane Garrett; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 1732. Sabbath School Net is an independent ministry not affiliated with nor funded by the. Uzziah ruled fifty-two years from Jerusalem, the hometown of his mother Jecoliah. “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord…” Our soul’s personal history with God is often an account of the death of our heroes. ! Maybe Zechariah died and the godly instruction ceased. Uzziah ruled 52 years, longer than king Solomon, even longer than king David each 40 years. Even “the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah” (v.8,9). But when we do this, we miss one of the most important parts of … 14 Jeffrey P. Hudon, “The Expansion of Judah Under Uzziah into Philistia: The Historical Credibility of 2 Chronicles 26:6-7a in Light of Archaeological Evidence,” PhD diss., (Andrews University, 2016), 320. I don't what will be yours/mine as leaders of today in different positions. In the 27 years of King Jeroboam II of Israel, King Uzziah began to reign in Judah. Answer: The story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant is found in 2 Samuel 6:1-7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9-12. Having King Uzziah on the throne meant peace and prosperity for the people. However, it is the ending of his life that is probably most instructive for those of us living more than 2700 years later. Let love be without dissimulation. Not only a good king but a successful king, a king who did what was right in the eyes of God. 10. During his rule, he recaptured and rebuilt the town of Elath. King Uzziah was the only king Isaiah had known, having reigned well in Jerusalem for 52 years. Sunday: The King is Dead. The ray hit the king’s face, and he was instantly afflicted with leprosy. Be sensitive to slights. Uzziah, the ninth king of Judea, had been only sixteen years old when he was proclaimed ruler.During the first years that he ruled formally, while his father was barricaded in Lachish, he was a mere toy in the hands of his advisers, the leaders of the revolt against Amaziah.During this period the country was in a lamentable state. His son Jotham ruled for his father until Uzziah died. Despite his long reign and perceived greatness, his pride led to his downfall and he lived as a leprous outcast until the day of his … And as long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success. 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, During his … Uzziah reached for holiness presumptuously, for the wrong reason (pride), and instead became ritually impure, so that he was cut off from holiness. Though he did not forsake the Lord at the height of his power, he was driven by pride to transgress against the Lord by attempting to do something which he was forbidden to do. Use the personal pronoun “I” as often as possible in your conversation. Father: King Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 26:23 Mother: Jerushah, 2 Chronicles 27:1 Predecessor: King Uzziah, 2 Chronicles 26:23 Succession: 11 th king Length of reign: 16 years, 2 Chronicles 27:1 Successor: King Ahaz, 2 Chronicles 27:9 Age when made king: 25 years, 2 Chronicles 27:1 Age when he died: 41 Kingdom: Kingdom of Judah Reign: 742 BC – 735 BC Morality: good, 2 Chronicles 27:2 The death of Uzziah in about 740 B.C. 26:17–18). Not only that, he developed the "big guns" of the day - devices on towers around Jerusalem to shoot multiple arrows at a time and throw large rocks great distances. . What significant weight these words carry may easily be lost on us who have no kings, who are removed in time and history from the ancient world, who live in a democratic fluid culture. Two seals which once belonged to officials in his court mention him by name. It went into one of those jurisdictions (back whence it came?) Yet, significant they are, even to us! Change ). Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. 16 But when Uzziah grew powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. Gordon Franz notes: “Josephus records that Herod the Great erected a monument over the tomb of David after he tried to steal some of the gold and silver from the tomb. Isaiah realized his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of the people around him. He was a fighting man commanding a large army. In the Year King Uzziah Died. Be suspicious. 7 D.D. King Uzziah transgressed against the LORD God; that is, he took matters into his own hands and went into the temple of God to burn incense upon the altar of incense – something that only … Some scholars have suggested that this might not be Azariah, king of Judah, but rather another influential ruler named Azariah of another region named Judah. King Uzziah was a good king. 14. Uzziah was the greatest and most powerful of Judah's kings since the time of David and Solomon. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 140. The story of Isaiah’s call to serve Yahweh (Isaiah 6) as a prophet begins by telling us that it happened in the year King Uzziah died. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of very good . And he (Amaziah) 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.”. 1. Insist on consideration and respect. due to Amaziah’s failed reign, and King Uzziah reigned with his son Jotham for 10 years, from 750 to 740 B.C. 4. .” Isaiah 6:1-9 Dana W Douglass “In the year that King Uzziah died. When King Uzziah died Isaiah surrendered his life . Please leave a comment long enough to say something significant and preferably significantly shorter than the post on which you are commenting. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Although Uzziah’s reign was long and prosperous, “when he had 13 “From Shepherd to Archaeologist: Pesach Bar-Adon and His Discoveries,” Biblical Archaeology Review 19:4, July/August 1993, 37. The leprosy, unless healed, will preclude him from coming into the temple of God; and this might be the passage’s focus – God drew this very immediate, distinctive line between the authority of man and Himself, banishing Uzziah from spiritual blessings the humble could receive when participating in the temple rituals when honoring His authority. 6. God is big. 9. 15 So his fame spread far and wide, for he was helped tremendously so that he became powerful. And then it happened. Thanks Lyn Lew but, had you got my message well? Azariah/Uzziah was the reigning King in Judah during all the kings of Israel listed above!!! Different perspectives can be given regarding the death of this king. His life illustrates the proverb, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. (2 Kings 15:5) King Azariah (also known as Uzziah) was one of the better kings of Judah. “In the year that king Uzziah died...” That would have been somewhere about 742 BC. The same God we see here is our God today. Required fields are marked *. King Jotham ruled Judah around 742 B.C., which is where he appears on the Bible Timeline Chart and was the son of King Uzziah. As long as Uzziah made a point to seek God, God made him prosperous (2 Chronicles 26:5).