2 Chronicles 16
DOYLY— Herein thou hast done foolishly: ] He was defective in his inward trust and confidence in God, and “foolish” in relying rather on the arm of man than on the Divine protection. Bp. Patrick.
2 Chronicles 16:12
- — Asa—was diseased in his feet.] The diseases mentioned in Scripture are described by so few symptoms, that physicians hardly know how to determine them. Such is the case in this instance of Asa. Script. illust. Expos. Ind.
— he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.] It is not meant that he committed a fault in desiring the help of the physicians; but in trusting to their skill more than to the goodness and power of God, to whom he did not address his prayers, but continued in his former fault of putting confidence in man. Bp. Patrick.
2 Chronicles 16:13
- And Asa slept with his fathers.] Such was the dark end of a reign, which had begun and continued for a series of years with so many bright virtues and excellencies. He died a melancholy instance of the weakness and depravity of human nature. However,
the princes to teach Judah. 10 His enemies being terrified by God, some of them bring him presents and tribute. 12 His greatness, captains, and armies.
Before CHRIST 914. AND * Jehoshaphat his son reign- a 1 Kings 15. ed in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2 Chronicles 16:14
- — and divers kinds of spices] The embalming of bodies had been a very ancient custom, as it was adopted in the burial of Jacob. Some think that the circumstance of his ordering his body to be embalmed, and buried after the manner of the Gentiles, is here mentioned as a blamable piece of vanity, in addition to his other offences. Bp. Patrick.
— they made a very great burning for him.] The burning seems to have been not of his body, but of odours and spices at his funeral. Dr. Wall.
Chap. XVII. ver. 7. — he sent to his princes, &c.] To attain more effectually his good end of establishing true religion, and rooting out idolatry, he made it his early care to have a number of priests and Levites (ver. 8.) in all his chief towns, to read and teach the law of God to the people, as it was laid down in the original Scriptures; and he appointed some of his “princes,” that is magistrates, to see it regularly done. Pyle. When princes thus take care of religion and the service of God they may expect the favour and protection of God, as this prince experienced so signally. Bp. Wilson.