2 Chronicles 26:14

And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings [to cast] stones.

And Uzziah {H5818} prepared {H3559} for them throughout all the host {H6635} shields {H4043}, and spears {H7420}, and helmets {H3553}, and habergeons {H8302}, and bows {H7198}, and slings {H7050} to cast stones {H68}.

'Uziyahu equipped them, the whole army, with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows and slingstones.

Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones.

And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 26:14 details King Uzziah's diligent and extensive preparations for his army, showcasing his commitment to the military strength and defense of the kingdom of Judah. This verse lists the various types of weaponry and armor that Uzziah provided "throughout all the host," indicating a comprehensive and widespread arming of his forces.

Context

King Uzziah (also known as Azariah in 2 Kings) began his reign over Judah at the young age of 16 and ruled for 52 years. His early years were marked by seeking God, leading to significant prosperity and success. 2 Chronicles 26:5 notes that "as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." This prosperity extended to his military endeavors, as he transformed Judah into a formidable power. Verse 14 specifically highlights the practical aspect of his military build-up, ensuring his soldiers were well-equipped for both defense and offense. His strategic foresight and investment in military technology and readiness were key components of his successful reign before his later pride led to his downfall (see 2 Chronicles 26:16).

Key Themes

  • Military Preparedness: Uzziah's dedication to equipping his army was thorough. The list—shields, spears, helmets, habergeons (coats of mail), bows, and slings—demonstrates a full range of protective and offensive gear, from close-quarters combat to long-range engagement. This level of preparation was crucial for national security in an era of frequent conflicts.
  • Strategic Leadership: Uzziah was not merely a warrior king but a strategic leader who understood the importance of logistics and innovation. His provision of these armaments to "all the host" signifies organized, large-scale military management. This verse sets the stage for the marvels of engineering mentioned in 2 Chronicles 26:15, where he invents machines for war.
  • Divine Blessing as Foundation: While the verse focuses on Uzziah's actions, the broader narrative of 2 Chronicles 26 consistently links his strength and prosperity to God's blessing. His ability to amass such resources and maintain a strong army was ultimately attributed to the Lord's help.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "habergeons" refers to coats of mail or breastplates, indicating a significant level of personal protection for the soldiers, not just basic armor. The phrase "throughout all the host" emphasizes that this was not just for an elite guard but for the entire army, highlighting the comprehensive nature of Uzziah's military provisioning. The inclusion of "slings [to cast] stones" points to the continued effectiveness and widespread use of ancient projectile weapons, alongside more advanced bows.

Practical Application

This verse offers insights into the value of preparedness and diligent stewardship, even in a spiritual context. Just as Uzziah equipped his army, believers are called to be prepared for spiritual battles, as highlighted by Paul's exhortation to put on the full armor of God. It reminds us that while God provides and blesses, human diligence and strategic effort are also essential. Uzziah's story also serves as a reminder that earthly strength and success, even when divinely blessed, should not lead to pride or self-reliance, but rather to continued humility and dependence on God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:49

    And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

  • Judges 20:16

    Among all this people [there were] seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair [breadth], and not miss.
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