But when he was strong. — See 2 Chronicles 26:15, “till he was strong,” and the same phrase, 2 Chronicles 12:1.
His heart was lifted up. — With pride.
To his destruction. — Rather, even to dealing corruptly (‘ad lehashchîth).
For he transgressed. — And he was unfaithful to Jehovah (1 Chronicles 5:25).
Went into the temple... to burn incense. — On the golden altar, in the Holy Place; contrary to the law of Numbers 18:1-7, Elevated by success, Uzziah appears to have desired to become supreme pontiff as well as king, and to exercise the same dual functions as the Egyptian Pharaohs were wont to do. Some have thought that he merely revived the precedent of David and Solomon; but it can hardly be proved that those monarchs, though represented as organising the priesthood and ritual, and conducting great religious festivals, ever actually performed the distinctive functions of priests. (Comp. the conduct of Saul, 1 Samuel 13:9, and its consequences.)