2 Chronicles 26:6

(6) And he went forth and warred against the Philistines.—At the outset of his reign this able prince had given promise of his future by seizing and fortifying the port of Elath, and thus probably completing the subjugation of Edom, which his father had more than begun. Afterwards he assumed the offensive against the Philistines, Arabs, and Maonites, who had invaded the country under his predecessors (2Ch_21:16; 2Ch_20:1).

Brake down the wall of Gath.—After taking the city. (As to Gath, see 1Ch_18:1; 2Ch_11:8.)

Jabneh.—The Jamnia of Maccabees and Josephus; now the village of Jebnah, about twelve miles south of Joppa (the same as Jabneel, Jos_15:11).

Ashdod.—Esdûd. (Comp. Jos_13:3.) Like Gath, one of the five sovereign states of the Philistines. It commanded the great road to Egypt; hence its possession was of first-rate importance to the contending military powers of Egypt and Assyria. Sargon captured it B.C. 719. (Comp. Isa_20:1.)

About Ashdod.—In Ashdod, i.e., in the canton so called.

And among the Philistines.—That is, elsewhere in their territory. Uzziah appears to have reduced the Philistines to a state of complete vassalage. They were not, however, annexed to Judah, but ruled by their own kings.

UZZIAH’S CAMPAIGNS, PUBLIC WORKS, AND MILITARY STRENGTH

(2Ch_26:6-15).

This section is peculiar to the Chronicles. Although the book of Kings passes over the facts recorded here, they are essential to forming a right conception of the strength and importance of the southern kingdom during the age of Uzziah and Jotham; and they are fully corroborated, not only by comparison with the data of Isaiah (Isaiah 2-4) upon the same subject, but also by the independent testimony of the cuneiform inscriptions of the period. (See Note on 2Ki_14:28.) Thus we find that the warlike Assyrian Tiglath-pileser II. chastised Hamath for its alliance with Judah during this reign, but abstained from molesting Uzziah himself—“a telling proof,” as Schrader says, “for the accuracy of the Biblical account of Uzziah’s well-founded power.” The name of Uzziah is conspicuously absent from the list of western princes who, in B.C. 738, sent tribute to Tiglath: Hystaspes (Kushtashpi), king of Commagene (Kummuhâ’a), Rezin, king of the country of the Damascenes, Menahem of the city of the Samaritans, Hiram of the city of the Tyrians, Sibitti-bi’li of the city of the Giblites or Byblos, Urikki of Kui, Pisiris of Carchemish, Eniel of Hamath, Panammu of Sam’al, and nine other sovereigns, including those of Tabal and Arabia. The list thus comprises Hittites and Arameans, princes of Hither Asia, Phoenicia, and Arabia. The omission of Uzziah argues that the king of Judah felt himself strong enough to sustain the shock of collision with Assyria in case of need. He must have reckoned on the support of the surrounding states (also not mentioned in the above list), viz., Ashdod, Ascalon, Gaza, Edom, Ammon, Moab, &c. (Schrader, Keilinschr., p. 252, seq.).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 26:6 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.

Ver. 6. And the wall of Jabneh.] Which was a strong city by the seaside, not more than three hours’ travel from Gath, saith Adrichomius.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 26:6. And brake down the wall of Gath — Which had been taken by Hazael, in the days of Joash his grand-father, chap. 2Ki 12:17; but was either relinquished by him, because it lay so far from his other dominions; or retaken by the Philistines, who had now repaired its fortifications and kept it.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

26:6-8 These verses summarize Uzziah’s international achievements. His conquests were to the west, south, and southeast, but not to the north, where Jeroboam II’s kingdom was powerful (2 Kgs 14:23-29). Uzziah’s strategy, with God’s guidance (2 Chr 26:7), was to achieve control over the coastal highway and then build towns in the conquered territory.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

he went forth and warred against the Philistines--He overcame them in many engagements--dismantled their towns, and erected fortified cities in various parts of the country, to keep them in subjection.

Jabneh--the same as Jabneel (Jos 15:11).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

6. the Philistines] Cp. 2Ch_21:16; 2Ch_28:18; 2Ki_18:8; 1Ma_5:66-68; 1Ma_14:34. Wars against the Philistines continned almost down to Roman times.

brake down the wall of Gath] See note on 2Ch_25:23.

Jabneh] Mentioned here only in the O.T., but probably to be Identified with “Jabneel” (Jos_15:11). At a later date It was called “Jamnia” (2Ma_12:8). Its ruins are to be seen about 10 miles south of Jaffa (Joppa) on the coast. The modern Yebna is a few miles inland. Bädeker, p. 159.

Ashdod] Cp. 1Sa_5:1 ff.; Isa_20:1; Zep_2:4; Neh_4:7; Neh_13:23; Act_8:40 (Ἄζωτος). Now Esdud. Bädeker, 159.

about Ashdod] R.V. in the country of Ashdod (lit. “in Ashdod”). Perhaps the name has been repeated through an early scribal error and we should read simply “and built cities among the Philistines.”

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And God helped him against the Philistines,.... He did not do all before related of himself, and by his own strength, but by the help of God; the Targum is"the Word of the Lord helped him:"

and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal; the same with Gerar, according to the Targum; which also belonged to the Philistines, and had a king in Abraham's time, Gen 20:1, the same with Askelon, another of the five principalities of the Philistines:

and the Mehunims; or the Minaeans, as the Septuagint, and whom Pliny (n) makes mention of among the Arabians; they seem to be the Scenite Arabs; see Ch2 20:1, or rather, as the Targum, those that dwelt in the plain of Maon, which was in Arabia Petraea.

(n) Nat. Hist. l. 6. c. 28.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Uzziah’s expedition was the natural sequel to the Edomite war of Amaziah 2Ch 25:11, which crushed the most formidable of all the tribes of the south. On Jabneh see Jos 15:11 note; and on Ashdod see Jos 13:3 note.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

In. Prot. "about Ashdod." Sept. "he built (or repaired) the cities of Azotus," to keep under the Philistines, who had revolted under Joram, C. xxi. 16.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Gath had been taken by Hazael in the days of Joash his grandfather, 2Ki 12:17, but was either relinquished by him, because it lay so far from his other dominions; or retaken by the Philistines, who had now repaired its fortifications, and kept it.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

6. Warred against the Philistines — He would avenge, and, as far as possible, restore, the losses his kingdom had sustained from these enemies in Jehoram’s time. Compare 2Ch_21:16-17.

Brake down the wall of Gath — This city had been taken by Hazael of Syria in the days of Joash. 2Ki_12:17.

Jabneh — Represented in the modern Yebna, near the Philistine coast. The same as Jabneel in Jos_15:11, where see note.

Ashdod — The most powerful of the Philistine cities. See note on Jos_11:22.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The Philistines. It has been seen how the Philistines, humbled to tribute under Jehoshaphat, (2Ch_17:10-13) had lifted up their heads repeatedly since, as on one occasion in alliance with Arabians (2Ch_21:16, 2Ch_21:17) against Jehoram. Brake down the wall. (see 2Ch_25:23, the first occasion of this exact expression) Gath (see the parallel to our. (2Ch_24:23, 24 in 2Ki_12:17) Jabneh. A city on the coast, northwest of Judah, now Jebna. (see Jos_15:10-12) Ashdod. Also on the coast, about eight miles south of Jabneh. (Jos_15:47) It is now a large village in Philistia, called Esdud, answering to the Azotus of Act_8:40 (see Topographical Index to Conder"s "Handbook to the Bible;" and Dr. Smith"s "Bible Dictionary," sub voc., 1:119). Built cities about Ashdod; Revised Version supplies in italic type" in the country of Ashdod." However, the force of the preposition B before "Ashdod" in this case speaks for itself; on account of the great importance of the place, in respect of its situation, on the road to Egypt, the strength of its position and perhaps the memory of the fact that, allotted to Judah, it had never really been appropriated by her, and incorporated with her, Uzziah saw it expedient to surround it with other fortified cities, or strong forts, which should be a watch upon it.

Vers. 6-15.

A victorious career.

Perhaps it is not well understood that Uzziah was one of the strongest of the kings of Judah, and ran a remarkably successful course. Had not his sun set in some dark clouds, his name and fame would probably have stood far higher than they do. But when we have made necessary allowances, there remains before our eyes the picture of

I A VICTORIOUS CAREER. This, whether we have regard to:

1. The extension of his kingdom; he prevailed against the Edomites, the Philistines, the Arabians (vers. 2, 6-8). Or to:

2. The strengthening of his kingdom by military means by buildingfortifications (vers. 9, 10), by ordering and equipping his army (vers. 11-13), by inventing or adopting the latest weapons of warfare (vers. 14, 15). Or to:

3. His attention to the national produce. It speaks very highly indeed for amonarch of that period that he dug wells, that he had much cattle, that he encouraged the vine-dressers, that he "loved husbandry. These are things which in that age of the world were too often disregarded and even despised by men in high places, especially by monarchs. But it was on such things as these that national prosperity very largely rested. Much of the power of a country comes from its wealth; and its wealth comes from the soil. No wise ruler will be indifferent to the question of the produce of the land. The king that "loves husbandry" is, other things being present, a king that loves his people, and rules for the happiness of their homes. It is probable that Judah never spent so contented and prosperous a half-century as during the long reign of Uzziah.

II ITS EXPLANATION.

(1) It was partly due to the fact that he came under good human influence; that of his father in his better days, that of Zechariah all through that prophet"s life; (perhaps) that of a godly mother.

(2) It was due in part to his own capacity and energy. Had he been a weak prince, giving way to base flatteries and to corrupt companionship, he could not have played the admirable part he did.

(3) It was due, chiefly and primarily, to the favour of Jehovah. "God made him to prosper" (ver. 5). From the Divine resources came intelligence, strength, sagacity, statesmanship. He might well have said, "Thou art the glory of my strength, and in thy favour has my horn been exalted." This is the explanation of every victorious career.

1. There goes toward it individual character and energy. Every man must "bear his own burden," and "have rejoicing in himself alone". (Gal_6:4, Gal_6:5) In some sense and to some degree we must all "fight the good fight" for ourselves, if we would gain the victory and win "the prize of our high calling.

2. There is included in it helpful influence from without; all kindly human help from the home and from the sanctuary, from the father and from the friend.

1. The all-decisive force is the power that works from above on our behalf. God must make us to prosper if we are to gain the victory in the great strife of life. From him must come the guidance and the guardianship, the inspiration and the control, without which we shall faint and fall. And this is to be secured by

1. submission to the gracious sway, and

2. living in the holy service of a Divine Saviour. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Uzziah went out and fought against the Philistines

Here "Uzziah" represents himself and his army that he led. AT: "Uzziah led his army out to fight against the Philistines" or "Uzziah and his army went out and fought against the Philistines" (See: Synecdoche)

He broke down ... he built cities ... God helped him

Here the pronouns "He" and "him" represent Uzziah and his army. AT: "Uzziah and his army broke down ... they built cities ... God helped them" (See: Synecdoche)

Jabneh

This was a town in northern Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

the country of Ashdod

"the country surrounding Ashdod" or "near Ashdod"

Gurbaal

This was a town in Arabia. (See: How to Translate Names)

Meunites

This is likely people who moved to that area from the kingdom of Maon near Mount Seir. (See: How to Translate Names)

his fame spread, even to the entrance of Egypt

His fame spreading is a metaphor for people in various places learning about him. AT: "people who lived even as far away as the border of Egypt learned about the things he was doing"

translationWords

Philistines

Gath

Ashdod

Arabia

Ammon

tribute

Egypt

power

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.