2 Chronicles 26:6-15 - Uzziah's Exploits

⁶ Uzziah went to wage war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. He built cities near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. ⁷ God helped him when he attacked the Philistines, the Arabs who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunites. ⁸ The Ammonites paid taxes to Uzziah. His fame spread to the border of Egypt because he became very powerful. ⁹ Uzziah strengthened the fortifications of Jerusalem. He built towers at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and where the wall turned. ¹⁰ He also built fortified towers in the open country and dug many cisterns, because he had large herds of livestock in the western foothills and plains. Because he loved farming, he encouraged the people to plant vineyards in the hill country and to farm the fertile land.

¹¹ He had a large army ready for battle. Its records were kept by his secretaries Jeiel and Maaseiah under the supervision of Hananiah, a member of the king's staff. ¹² The total number of family heads among these warriors was twenty-six hundred. ¹³ They commanded an army of three hundred seven thousand and five hundred soldiers. They were a powerful force that could support the king against the enemy. ¹⁴ Uzziah prepared shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and stones for slings for the entire army. ¹⁵ In Jerusalem he manufactured machines designed by inventive people. The machines were placed on the towers and corners to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. Uzziah's fame spread far and wide because he had strong support until he became powerful.