Second Chronicles 25–27 gives us the stories of three kings of Judah: Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham.

Each king experienced blessing.

Each king had opportunities.

Each king was given responsibility.

But their stories teach very different lessons about how people respond to success.

Amaziah began by doing what was right—but Scripture says he did not serve God with a loyal heart. After God gave him victory, he brought home the gods of the people he had defeated and began worshiping them.

Uzziah sought God and became extraordinarily successful. God helped him militarily, economically, and nationally.

But then Scripture gives a dangerous sentence:

“When he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction.”

Uzziah allowed success to produce pride.

Jotham p ...