Chapter Summary

Accession of Uzziah. His successes and fame.

Discussion Questions for 2 Chronicles, Chapter 26

1. How does Uzziah begin his reign in Judah? What characterizes his first acts as king? What things could one attribute his good start to? How is it possible to start off seemingly serving the Lord but then go off course? How does Scripture describe these occurrences?
2. Another Zechariah different from the one in chapter 24 advises Uzziah. What kind of instruction does he give Uzziah? What is meant by the phrase “the fear of the Lord”? What does a healthy fear entail? What are some examples of healthy fear and how does fear work in these cases?
3. In what ways does the Chronicler describe Uzziah specifically prospering? How does verse 15 describe this prospering? Did it come from Uzziah alone? How can this prosperity be attributed to God? Is all prosperity from God? How can prosperity be seen as evil and is prosperity sin at some point?
4. Why was Uzziah not allowed to burn incense in the temple? How did his pride lead to this action?
5. Azariah the priest tells Uzziah that it is not his place to burn incense before the Lord. He explains that it is the right of the priests who are consecrated. What does consecrated mean? Are there other stories from the Bible that this brings to mind? How does holiness play a part in the believer's life today?
6. How does Uzziah react in his pride against the correction of Azariah? Have you ever had pride in the face of good correction? What is your reaction to correction and what would you like to change about how you react?
7. Uzziah is judged by God and is given leprosy, a dangerous and contagious skin disease. This causes him to be “set apart” as unclean. How does the irony of Uzziah’s final years and his isolation from God and the temple show the spiritual picture of those living in ongoing unrepentant sin?
8. How does pride disorder the life of Uzziah and his worship of God? Can worship be selfishly motivated? In what ways have you observed this?
9. How does the failing of Uzziah and King’s before him point us and Judah to the need for a better king? In what ways are these failures preparing the way for what would be the future coming of Christ to His people?
10. How does the failings of Uzziah and other kings move your heart to desire the return of Christ and his perfect kingdom?

Key Words/Phrase

Pride, v. 16.

Characters

God, Uzziah, Zechariah, Jotham, Isaiah.

Strong Verse(s)

5