2 Chronicles 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.

And he went forth {H3318} and warred {H3898} against the Philistines {H6430}, and brake down {H6555} the wall {H2346} of Gath {H1661}, and the wall {H2346} of Jabneh {H2996}, and the wall {H2346} of Ashdod {H795}, and built {H1129} cities {H5892} about Ashdod {H795}, and among the Philistines {H6430}.

He went out to fight the P'lishtim, breaking down the walls of Gat, Yavneh and Ashdod; and he built cities in the area of Ashdod and among the P'lishtim.

Uzziah went out to wage war against the Philistines, and he tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Then he built cities near Ashdod and among the Philistines.

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 he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.

Commentary

Context

This verse describes an early military victory of King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) of Judah. Uzziah began his reign at 16 years old and reigned for 52 years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:3). His early years were marked by seeking God and, as a result, God gave him prosperity and success, as noted in 2 Chronicles 26:5. The Philistines were ancient enemies of Israel, often occupying the coastal plain and clashing with the Israelites since the time of the Judges and Kings, including prominent battles during the reign of King David. This campaign highlights Uzziah's strategic expansion and consolidation of power.

Key Themes

  • Military Success and Expansion: Uzziah's campaign against the Philistines demonstrates his military prowess and Judah's growing strength. The destruction of walls in key Philistine cities like Gath, Jabneh (also known as Jamnia), and Ashdod, and the subsequent building of new cities, signify a significant territorial expansion and assertion of Judah's dominance over traditional adversaries.
  • Divine Favor: The narrative implicitly connects Uzziah's victories to his early faithfulness to God. His success against long-standing enemies like the Philistines is presented as a direct result of the Lord blessing his endeavors, aligning with the Chronicler's emphasis on obedience leading to prosperity.
  • Strategic Fortification: Building cities "about Ashdod, and among the Philistines" not only marked territorial control but also established a strategic presence, likely for defense, trade, and maintaining influence in the newly conquered areas, effectively integrating conquered territories into Judah's sphere.

Linguistic and Historical Insights

The cities mentioned โ€“ Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod โ€“ were significant Philistine strongholds. Gath was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, known for its strong fortifications and association with Goliath. Ashdod was another major city, a key port and commercial center. Jabneh was located north of Ashdod. The act of "brake down the wall" (Hebrew: ื•ึทื™ึผึดืคึฐืจึนืฅ, vayyiphrotz, meaning to break forth, break through, or tear down) signifies a decisive military victory and the subjugation of these fortified cities. Uzziah's actions here reflect a reversal of fortunes, as the Philistines had often been a persistent threat to Israel's security and sovereignty.

Practical Application

Uzziah's early reign serves as an example of how seeking God can lead to success and strength. His military victories were not just about human strategy or might, but were enabled by divine favor. This verse reminds believers that when we align our efforts with God's will, He can grant us victory over challenges that seem insurmountable. It highlights the principle that acknowledging God in all our ways can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and the strengthening of our position, whether in personal life or in broader endeavors. However, it also subtly foreshadows the importance of remaining humble, as Uzziah's later pride led to his downfall (2 Chronicles 26:16), reminding us that sustained success requires continued dependence on God.

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

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 14:29

    Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit [shall be] a fiery flying serpent.

  • 1 Samuel 5:6

    ยถ But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, [even] Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:16

    Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that [were] near the Ethiopians:

  • 1 Chronicles 18:1

    ยถ Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Samuel 5:1

    ยถ And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.

  • 2 Samuel 8:1

    ยถ And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
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