2 Chronicles 26:5

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.

And he sought {H1875} God {H430} in the days {H3117} of Zechariah {H2148}, who had understanding {H995} in the visions {H7200} of God {H430}: and as long as {H3117} he sought {H1875} the LORD {H3068}, God {H430} made him to prosper {H6743}.

He consulted God during the lifetime of Z'kharyahu, who understood visions of God; and as long as he consulted ADONAI, God gave him success.

He sought God throughout the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.

And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 26:5 details a pivotal aspect of King Uzziah's (also known as Azariah) early reign over Judah. This verse encapsulates the direct correlation between his spiritual devotion and his subsequent prosperity, setting the stage for understanding the successes and eventual failures of his long rule.

Context

King Uzziah ascended to the throne of Judah at the young age of sixteen, reigning for 52 years (2 Chronicles 26:3). This verse focuses on the initial and most successful period of his reign. It highlights the influence of Zechariah, a spiritual advisor or prophet, who guided Uzziah in seeking God. The book of 2 Chronicles often emphasizes the spiritual faithfulness of Judah's kings as a direct determinant of the nation's well-being and the king's personal success, contrasting it with the consequences of disobedience.

Key Themes

  • The Principle of Seeking God: The central message is the profound impact of actively "seeking God" or "seeking the LORD." This implies a deliberate, earnest pursuit of divine wisdom, guidance, and favor, often through prayer, obedience to God's commands, and reliance on His presence.
  • The Role of Spiritual Counsel: Zechariah, described as having "understanding in the visions of God," played a crucial role in Uzziah's early spiritual life. This underscores the importance of godly mentors, prophets, or advisors in guiding leaders and individuals toward righteousness and spiritual success.
  • Divine Prosperity and Blessing: The verse explicitly states that "God made him to prosper" as a direct result of his seeking the Lord. This prosperity encompassed not just material wealth but also military success, building projects, agricultural advancements, and overall strength for Judah, as detailed in the verses that follow (2 Chronicles 26:6-15). This demonstrates God's faithfulness in blessing those who honor Him.
  • Conditional Blessing: The crucial phrase "as long as he sought the LORD" is vital. It foreshadows that God's continued blessing was contingent upon Uzziah's continued faithfulness. This principle tragically comes into sharp focus later in Uzziah's reign when his pride led to his downfall (2 Chronicles 26:16).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "sought" (דרשׁ, darash) implies more than a casual inquiry. It suggests a diligent, earnest investigation, a committed pursuit, or an earnest supplication. When applied to seeking God, it denotes a deep devotion and reliance on divine direction, often involving prayer, meditation on His law, and obedience to His will. This active seeking is what leads to God's responsive blessing.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 26:5 offers a timeless and powerful principle for believers today: a life dedicated to diligently seeking God is foundational to true and lasting success. Just as King Uzziah benefited from Zechariah's guidance, we are encouraged to seek wise, godly counsel and spiritual mentorship. This verse reminds us that prioritizing our relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and obeying His commands is key to experiencing His blessings in various aspects of our lives. While prosperity in the New Testament context includes spiritual blessings and contentment, the principle remains: when we seek God's kingdom first, He promises to provide for our needs and grant us purpose and peace.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 15:2

    And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:2

    And Joash did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:13

    Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

  • Daniel 5:16

    And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

  • Daniel 1:17

    ΒΆ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

  • Daniel 10:1

    ΒΆ In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

  • Daniel 2:19

    Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
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