2 Chronicles 36

— she kept sabbath.] Thus was the land left desolate, that it might enjoy its sabbatical years of rest, of which it had been defrauded by the avarice and disobedience of the Jews, fulfilling the early denunciation of Moses, Levit. xxvi. 34, and the later of Jeremiah, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 21; and it is truly remarkable, that Nebuchadnezzar left it in that state, and did not attempt again to people it, as the policy of the kings of Assyria had led them to do in Samaria. The land therefore lay still vacant for their reception against their return; the providence of the God of Judah insensibly overruling the counsels and decrees of that haughty and arrogant conqueror, whom He had raised up to be the scourge of His chosen people, when their apostasies and abominations rendered them unworthy of His tutelar care and protection; and they were transported into captivity “for their good,” Jer. xxiv. 5. There they were cured of the idolatrous infection they had imbibed

— to fulfil threescore and ten years.] This calamitous punishment was to continue for the space of seventy years, till the period when the Babylonian empire was to end, and the Persian to begin. Accordingly, on the very first year of the conquest of Babylon (where the Jews remained captive) by the great Cyrus, and of his residing in that city, ver. 22, 23, the just and merciful Providence of Heaven so ordered it, from many concurring circumstances, that this emperor, being well inclined to favour this captive people, issued a proclamation of licence and authority for them all to return to their own country; declaring himself obliged by the same great good-will of Heaven which had bestowed the universal empire on him, to assist this nation, restore them to their ancient habitation, and by his protection enable them to rebuild their famous temple at Jerusalem. Accordingly, he not only permitted, but encouraged the Jews of all descriptions to return home and set about that work, with all hearty wishes for their prosperity therein. Pyle.

2 Chronicles 36:9

9. — was eight years old] See note at 2 Kings xxiv. 8.

2 Chronicles 36:15

15. — rising up betimes,] To “rise betimes” signifies in Scripture to do a thing with care, diligence, and affection: for good fathers of families, from whom this expression is taken, were wont to get up early to look after their business, and to quicken and encourage their ser-

rants to their duty. Such was the compassion and care of God for His people, that He gave them seasonable and timely admonitions to their duty, and notice of their danger, before it was too late. To this compassion and care of God it was owing that they were blessed with a succession of Prophets in the reign of every king, who most earnestly called upon them to reform. Yet, so strange was their unhappy propensity to idolatry, that even when, under a good king, they became a little better, they soon relapsed, on the succession of a wicked king, into their former evil courses. Bp. Patrick.

2 Chronicles 36:16

16. But they mocked the messengers of God, &c.] That which made the calamities of the Israelites incurable, was their continual mocking or despising the messengers of their peace, which God sent from time to time to heal them. So that the calamities which ensued were not the end intended by God, in sending His messengers to them, but the fruit and effect of their mocking and despising both physicians and medicines. Dr. Jackson.

wholly destroyed. The proclamation of Cyrus. 500. 500. 1, &c. 588.

2 Chronicles 36:22

22. Now in the first year of Cyrus &c.] These last verses of Chronicles are the same as those which begin the ensuing book of Ezra. It seems probable that Ezra having some years before written the book that bears his name, and afterwards writing these books of Chronicles, which contain the genealogies and history ending at the time when the other began, annexed to the end of these books the first paragraph of that. Dr. Wall.

The following is a list of the KINGS of ISRAEL and JUDAH, with the dates when they respectively began to reign. As has been stated in the notes, there are some doubts with respect to the beginning and end of some of the reigns, principally owing to the circumstance of the succeeding king being frequently associated in the kingdom before the death of his predecessor.

Years KINGS OF JUDAH. KINGS OF ISRAEL.