10 He built towers in the desert. He dug many cisterns because he had a lot of herds in the foothills and the plains. He had farmers and vineyard workers in the mountains and the fertile fields because he loved the soil.
11 Uzziah had an army of professional soldiers. They were ready to go to war in their companies based on the number organized by the scribe Jeiel and the officer Maaseiah. They were commanded by Hananiah, one of the king’s officials.
12 The total number of family heads among these warriors was 2,600.
13 Under them was an army of 307,500 soldiers. They were a powerful force that could support the king against the enemy.
14 For the entire army Uzziah prepared shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and stones for slings.
15 In Jerusalem he made 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.
16 But when he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. He went into the Lord’s temple to burn incense on the incense altar.