2 Chronicles 26:10

“Also he built towers in the desert, etc.] In the desert of Arabia, to protect travellers from thieves and robbers, and particularly shepherds and their flocks, as appears by what follows; which a certain writer f101 thinks are the same which the Indians call pagodas; not such as served for temples, but were buildings encompassed with good walls, where flocks were gathered together in case of any alarm: and digged many wells; for the watering of the flocks, which in those hot and desert places were of great use: for he had much cattle, both in the low country and in the plains; both flocks and herds: husbandmen also, and vinedressers in the mountains; husbandmen to take care of the corn, and…”

“Also he built towers in the desert--for the threefold purpose of defense, of observation, and of shelter to his cattle. He dug also a great many wells, for he loved and encouraged all branches of agriculture. Some of these "were in the desert," that is, in the district to the southeast of Jerusalem, on the west of the Dead Sea, an extensive grazing district "in the low country" lying between the mountains of Judah and the Mediterranean; "and in the plains," east of the Jordan, within the territory of Reuben (Deu 4:43; Jos 20:8). in Carmel--This mountain, being within the boundary of Israel, did not belong to Uzziah; and as it is here placed in opposition to the vine-bearing mountains, it is…”

“He built towers in the desert - Refuges for the flocks and the herdsmen in the wild pasture country on the borders of the holy land, especially toward the south and southeast. Wells - The marginal translation is preferable. Judaea depends largely for its water-supply on reservoirs in which the rain-fall is stored. These are generally cut in the natural rock, and covered at top. For he had much cattle ... - Some prefer, “for he had much cattle there, and in the low country, and on the dawns,” with allusion to three pasture districts: (1) The “wilderness,” or high tract to the south and southeast, extending from the western shores of the Dead Sea to the vicinity of Beersheba; (2) The “low…”

“Towers - To guard his cattle from the inroads which the Arabians were accustomed to make: and to give notice of the approach of any enemy. 2 Chronicles 26:16”

“digged many wells: or, cut out many cisterns, Gen 26:18-21 he had much: Kg2 3:4; Ch1 27:26-31 Carmel: or, fruitful fields, Kg2 19:23; Isa 29:17 husbandry: Heb. ground 2 Chronicles 26:11”