2 Chronicles 15

Chap. XV. ver. 2.—The Lord is with you, &c.] God hath been pleased to bless you with a glorious victory over an enemy far superior to you in number and strength, in reward for the justice and piety you have hitherto exercised; and you may expect continual successes, upon your cheerful perseverance in the ways of virtue and religion. Pyle. This is a prophecy which is well worthy of serious notice at all times and by all nations and people. Bp. Wilson.

— the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.] By comparing these words with chap. xvi. 7. to the end, it plainly appears that their meaning is nothing more than that Asa kept himself from idolatry to the last; though in other instances, in the latter end of his life, he was not so religious as he ought to have been. Pyle.

2 Chronicles 15:3

3. Now for a long season &c.] From the time when the kingdom of Israel separated from their brethren of Judah in the days of Jeroboam, Israel has been “without the true God, and without a teaching priest,” for they have not worshipped the true God, but the golden calves, and all the true priests have gone into the land of Judah. Bp. Patrick.

4. There is a league between me and thee.] Here was another instance of false policy, to send to an infidel king, when God had so lately rescued him from a much greater army. And, what added to the sin, he gave him the treasure which he had devoted to God. Bp. Wilson. These words may be translated, “Let there be a league between me and thee.” Houbigant.

2 Chronicles 15:4

4. But when they in their trouble did turn] If we follow the common interpretation, which respects the present and future state of Israel, these words should rather be translated, “If in their trouble they had turned, &c. they should have found Him.” Bp. Patrick.

These expressions in the 4th, 5th, and 6th verses, seem to be applicable either to past or future times. Thus the general sense may be, Take warning from the dealings of Providence with the Israelites, either in ancient times, or in their present apostasy from God’s worship; or with respect to what is threatened against them, if they for the future should persist in their disobedience to the Divine laws. You never saw, nor ever will see them given up to idolatry and impiety, but you always did, and always will find them embroiled in wars and confusion, and wretched beyond expression; as, on the other hand, you will find the mercies of Heaven extended towards them upon their repentance and reformation. Pyle.

2 Chronicles 15:7

7. — at that time Hanani the seer] Here follows a remarkable history added to what we read in the book of Kings, (1 Kings xv.) which relates the great weakness of Asa in his declining years, and God’s displeasure at it. Bp. Patrick.

2 Chronicles 15:8

8.—the prophecy of Oded] Probably a short expression for “the prophecy of the son of Oded,” although some think that the father may have prophesied as well as the son, and foretold the same calamities. Bp. Patrick.

2 Chronicles 15:9

9. For the eyes of the Lord &c.] The Prophet Hanani teaches us, in these beautiful expressions, that God grants and continues His favours only to those who serve Him with an upright and sincere heart. The

Before CHRIST 940. were his. 941. b Chap. 14. 9. abundance.

2 Chronicles 15:17

17.—the high places were not taken away out of Israel:] It had been said twice in the preceding chapter, that Asa did take away the high places, ver. 3, 5, but that related

Asa diverteth Baasha from building of Ramah. Before CHRIST 941. less the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

2 Chronicles 15:19

19. — there was no more war] That is, as some interpret, there was no more war with the Ethiopians, or other such people, though with Baasha king of Israel he had perpetual war, 1 Kings xv. 16. Bp. Patrick.

Chap. XVI. ver. 1. In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa] A considerable difficulty arises from comparing this passage with 1 Kings xv. 33; for there it is said, that “in the third year of Asa began Baasha to reign,” and that he reigned “twenty-four years;” so that the last year of Baasha’s reign must answer to about the twenty-sixth year of Asa, and consequently Baasha must have been dead about nine or ten years before the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign. Of this difficulty, which has been much discussed by learned men, two principal solutions have been proposed. According to the one, which is supported by the authority of Josephus, it is supposed that the transcribers of the

thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.