And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims.
The verse belongs to the long reign of Uzziah over Judah and Benjamin, when God helped him because for many years he sought the Lord and ruled with discretion. That help gave him a prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of Solomon nearly two centuries before. Under Heaven's blessing his armies regained territory lost in former years, cities were rebuilt and fortified, and the standing of the nation among the surrounding peoples was greatly strengthened. Commerce revived, the riches of the nations flowed into Jerusalem, and his name spread far abroad, for he was marvelously aided until he was strong.
The disaster that later fell upon him came from presumption, when he entered the sanctuary to burn incense upon the altar. This violated the plain command of Jehovah that none but the descendants of Aaron should officiate as priests. Azariah the high priest and his associates confronted him over the act and pleaded with him to turn from his purpose. They urged upon him that he had trespassed and that it would not be for his honor.
The verse belongs to the long reign of Uzziah over Judah and Benjamin, when God helped him because for many years he sought the Lord and ruled with discretion. That help gave him a prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of Solomon nearly two centuries before. Under Heaven's blessing his armies regained territory lost in former years, cities were rebuilt and fortified, and the standing of the nation among the surrounding peoples was greatly strengthened. Commerce revived, the riches of the nations flowed into Jerusalem, and his name spread far abroad, for he was marvelously aided until he was strong.
The disaster that later fell upon him came from presumption, when he entered the sanctuary to burn incense upon the altar. This violated the plain command of Jehovah that none but the descendants of Aaron should officiate as priests. Azariah the high priest and his associates confronted him over the act and pleaded with him to turn from his purpose. They urged upon him that he had trespassed and that it would not be for his honor.