II Chronicles 26:6 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 26:6 Commentary: God's Help in Victory
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Uzziah's campaign against the Philistines demonstrates the Chronicler's theme: seeking God brings success.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Uzziah's military victory over the Philistines demonstrates the Chronicler's theme that seeking God brings prosperity and success.
- Key words: וַ/יֵּצֵא (went out, initiating action), וַ/יִּפְרֹץ (broke down, breach), וַ/יִּבְנֶה (built, establishing).
- Main debate: No major interpretive debate; the verse gives a straightforward historical report within the Chronicler's theological framework.
- Theological theme: God blesses those who seek Him with concrete victories and territorial expansion.
- Best use: As an example that devotion to God yields tangible success in all areas of life, with the caution of Uzziah's later fall serving as a warning.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He went out and fought against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And he goeth forth, and fighteth with the Philistines, and breaketh down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and buildeth cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And he went forth and fought against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Moreover he went forth and fought against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Geth, and the wall of Jabnia, and the wall of Azotus: and he built towns in Azotus, and among the Philistines.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y salió, y peleó contra los Filisteos, y rompió el muro de Gath, y el muro de Jabnia, y el muro de Asdod; y edificó ciudades en Asdod, y en la tierra de los Filisteos.
E saiu, e lutou contra os filisteus, e rompeu o muro de Gate, e o muro de Jabné, e o muro de Asdode; e edificou cidades em Asdode, e na terra dos filisteus.
Il se mit en guerre contre les Philistins; et il abattit les murs de Gath, les murs de Jabné, et les murs d’ Asdod, et construisit des villes dans le territoire d’ Asdod, et parmi les Philistins.
Denn er zog aus und stritt wider die Philister und riß nieder die Mauer zu Gath und die Mauer zu Jabne und die Mauer zu Asdod und baute Städte um Asdod und unter den Philistern.
Want hij toog uit, en krijgde tegen de Filistijnen, en brak den muur van Gath, en den muur van Jabne, en den muur van Asdod; daartoe bouwde hij steden in Asdod, en onder de Filistijnen.
Egli uscì e mosse guerra ai Filistei, abbatté le mura di Gath, le mura di Jabne e le mura di Asdod, ed edificò delle città nel territorio di Asdod e in quello dei Filistei.
Bo ruszywszy się, walczył z Filistynami, i poburzył mury w Get, i mury w Jabnie, i mury w Azocie, a pobudował miasta w Azocie i w ziemi Filistyńskiej.
И он вышел и сразился с Филистимлянами, и разрушил стены Гефа и стены Иавнеи и стены Азота; и построил города в области Азотской и у Филистимлян.
他出去 攻擊 非利士人，拆毀了 迦特 城、 雅比尼 城，和 亞實突 城；在非利士人中，在亞實突境內，又建築了 些城。
He went out and made war against the Philistines, pulling down the walls of Gath and Jabneh and Ashdod, and building towns in the country round Ashdod and among the Philistines.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Chronicles 26:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Uzziah's campaign against the Philistines represents a key moment of God's blessing on a faithful king. Barnes notes the expedition as a natural sequel to Amaziah's Edomite war. Gill emphasizes that Uzziah dismantled the walls of major Philistine cities, Gath, Jabneh, Ashdod, and then built fortified cities to keep the region under control. Keil and Delitzsch connect this to earlier Philistine invasions under Jehoram (2 Chron 21:16), showing Uzziah's campaign as divine recompense. Matthew Henry places the victory within the framework of Uzziah's prosperity because he sought God (v.5). The Chronicler's point is clear: deliberate, sustained devotion to Yahweh yields concrete success, even in military affairs.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Uzziah's campaign against the Philistines was a successful military operation that resulted from his faithfulness to God, demonstrating the Chronicler's theme that seeking Yahweh brings prosperity.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of 'built cities in Ashdod' | All commentators agree that Uzziah constructed settlements in the territory of Ashdod and among the Philistines as part of his conquest. | Some (e.g., Cambridge Bible) suggest a possible scribal dittography in 'in Ashdod' and prefer 'in the country of Ashdod'; others accept the text as is. |
| Historical reliability of the campaign | The campaign fits known historical patterns of Judahite expansion in the 8th century BC. | The account is absent from 2 Kings 15:1, 7, which focuses on Uzziah's leprosy; some question whether the conquests were as extensive as the Chronicler claims, while others argue the Chronicler fills a legitimate gap. |
| Theological meaning of military success | The victory illustrates God's blessing in response to Uzziah's seeking Him (v.5). | On how to apply the military dimension today: some traditions read it as a metaphor for spiritual warfare, others as a historical example of divine justice against oppressors, and still others as a type of Christ's ultimate victory. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The Philistines were a persistent threat to Judah from the time of the Judges. Under Jehoram, they had invaded and plundered Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 21:16, 17). Uzziah's campaign reverses that humiliation. The three cities named, Gath (winepress), home of Goliath, captured by David (1 Chronicles 18:1) but later lost; Jabneh (Jabneel in Joshua 15:11, later called Jamnia, a center of Jewish learning); Ashdod (Azotus, a major Philistine port, see 1 Samuel 5:1), represent key strongholds. Breaking down walls was strategic: it rendered the cities defenseless. Then Uzziah built cities in the territory, establishing a permanent Judahite presence.
This pattern matches the Chronicler's theme: “God helped him against the Philistines” (v.7). The narrative sequence uses wayyiqtol verbs: he went out, fought, broke down, built. The verb פָּרַץ (“broke down”) can mean to burst through, indicating decisive action. The Hebrew for “wall” (חוֹמַת) occurs three times, emphasizing the dismantling of fortifications. The campaign likely occurred early in Uzziah's reign, after restoring Eloth (v.2). This military expansion secured Judah's western border and allowed Uzziah to focus on internal building projects and agriculture (v.10). The Chronicler presents it all as the fruit of seeking God: “as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him prosper” (v.5).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Cambridge Bible mentions a possible dittography in the phrase rendered “about Ashdod” (KJV) vs. “in the country of Ashdod” (WEB), suggesting that “in Ashdod” may be a scribal repetition from the line below. This does not affect the overall meaning. The Hebrew text is stable, and all major translations follow it closely.
Reception History
In the early church, this verse was not a major focus; it was read as part of the historical books demonstrating God's covenant faithfulness. Reformation-era commentators, Matthew Henry and the Geneva Bible, saw it as a moral exemplar: seeking God brings prosperity. Jewish exegetes like Rashi likely connected the campaign to the broader narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Modern scholarship, represented by Keil and Delitzsch and the Cambridge Bible, treats it as historically reliable and theologically consistent with the Chronicler's purpose. The verse is often used in sermons to illustrate that success in one's calling flows from devotion to God, with the caution of Uzziah's later pride serving as a necessary warning.
Preaching This Verse
Three‑point outline
- God empowers bold action. “He went out and fought against the Philistines.” Uzziah did not wait; he took the initiative. Seeking God often means moving forward in faith, trusting that God goes with you.
- God breaks down what opposes His people. “He broke down the wall of Gath…Jabneh…Ashdod.” The repeated phrase “wall of” underscores that God dismantles the strongholds that threaten His kingdom. No enemy fortification stands against His help.
- God builds for lasting good. “He built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.” After tearing down, God builds. He replaces chaos with order, enemy territory with home. Uzziah's rebuilding shows that victory is not just destruction but constructive peace.
Five‑point outline
- Seek God first. The context (v.5) makes clear: prosperity came because Uzziah sought Yahweh. The victory flows from devotion, not just strategy.
- Act on the strength God gives. “He went forth and warred.” Faith does not mean passivity; it means stepping out with God's help.
- Target the walls. The Philistine cities were fortified. Uzziah specifically attacked their defenses. In life, identify the strongholds, habits, fears, relationships, that need God's power.
- Rebuild strategically. “Build cities…among the Philistines.” Uzziah didn't just win battles; he established a presence. Victory ought to lead to lasting transformation.
- Give glory to God. Verse 7 explicitly says God helped him. All success is grace. Uzziah's later pride (v.16) warns us to stay humble.
Illustration hooks
- A farmer who clears a field full of rocks and stumps, then builds a new barn and plants crops, seeing the hard work as God's provision for the future.
- A parents of a special‑needs child who persistently remove barriers (school, therapy, community) and then create a safe, loving home, they tear down walls and build cities.
- A small business owner who, after a crisis, reorganizes the company, repairs broken relationships with employees, and opens a new location, crediting God's guidance.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “If I seek God, will all my problems disappear? This verse seems to promise success, but what about faithful people who suffer?”
- “How do I know whether a challenge I face is a ‘wall’ God wants me to tear down or a lesson I'm supposed to bear?”
- “Uzziah succeeded greatly but then fell. How do I stay humble when God gives me success?”
Leading a Discussion
This verse illustrates the Chronicler's core conviction: seeking God leads to success. But the wider story of Uzziah (vv.16, 21) adds a caution: success can breed pride. In small groups, explore how devotion and humility connect.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What actions does Uzziah take in this verse? List the verbs and their objects.
- Observation: Read verse 5. How does the Chronicler frame the reason for Uzziah's prosperity?
- Interpretation: Why does the Chronicler include the specific place names, Gath, Jabneh, Ashdod? What would that mean to the original readers?
- Interpretation: Compare this verse with 2 Chronicles 21:16, where the Philistines attacked Jehoram. What does the reversal reveal about God's faithfulness?
- Application: In your own life, what “walls” (obstacles, fears, habits) might God be calling you to break down with His help?
- Application: Uzziah built cities after tearing down. Where might God want you to invest in building, relationships, skills, community, after a victory?
- Reflection: The same Uzziah later becomes proud and is struck with leprosy (vv.16, 21). How can we enjoy God's blessings without falling into pride? Share one practical safeguard.
Close by praying together: thank God for His help, ask for wisdom to identify the walls He wants to break, and for humility to remain faithful after success.
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 5:1 | Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. |
| I Samuel 5:6 | But Yahweh’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders. |
| II Samuel 8:1 | After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines. |
| I Chronicles 18:1 | After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. |
| II Chronicles 21:16 | Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who are beside the Ethiopians; |
| Isaiah 14:29 | Don’t rejoice, O Philistia, all of you, because the rod that struck you is broken; for out of the serpent’s root an adder will emerge, and his fruit will be a fiery flying serpent. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Uzziah's campaign followed directly from his father Amaziah's defeat of Edom, which had crushed the most dangerous southern tribe. He connects the expedition to the conquest of Jabneh and Ashdod, treating the whole sequence as a natural chain of victories.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator identifies Jabneh (later Jamnia) as a coastal site south of Jaffa, and Ashdod with the city known as Azotus in Acts. He also suggests the phrase "about Ashdod" may be a scribal error, and the text originally read simply "built cities among the Philistines."
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights Uzziah's decisive military strategy: he tore down the defensive walls of three Philistine cities and then built new Israelite settlements within that same captured territory. This combination of demolition and rebuilding secured lasting control over the region.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies Jabneh as a place not named elsewhere in Scripture but well known in Jewish writings as the seat of the sanhedrin and a famous university, which Josephus assigns to the tribe of Dan. He observes that Uzziah dismantled the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, then built garrison cities to control the Philistines.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that Uzziah's victories over the Philistines included dismantling their towns and building fortified cities to keep them permanently subdued. He also notes that Jabneh, one of the places involved, is the same as Jabneel mentioned in Joshua.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch draw from the Chronicler's record and Isaiah's prophecies to argue that Uzziah's reign brought Judah to new heights of power and prosperity. They detail his subduing of Philistines, Arabians, and Ammonites, along with fortifications in Jerusalem and the wilderness, and extensive agriculture as evidence of God's help and the kingdom's strength.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that Uzziah's remarkable prosperity in war, building, and agriculture was directly tied to his habit of seeking God, especially during the years he had the prophet Zechariah as a spiritual guide. As long as Uzziah kept that dependence, God gave him success on every front.