2 Chronicles 28

Achaz is an abominable idolater, vers.1, &c. He is smitten by the Syrians, and by the Israelites, 5. The Israelites carry away many Jews captive with them, 8. Whom they bring again into their own border, by the advice of the Prophet Oded, 9. Achaz seeketh to the Assyrians for help, 16. War is made against him by the Edomites and Philistines, 17. He is not assisted by the King of Assyria, 20. Goeth on in his wickedness, 22. He dieth, and Hizkia his son reigneth, 27.

1. Achaz was twenty years old, [Hebr. a son of twenty years] when he became king, and reigned sixteen years at Jerusalem: And he did not that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, like David his Father. [compare 1 King.11.on v.9.]

2. But he walked in the ways of the Kings of Israel: [See above chap.21.on v.6.] besides, he made also molten images for Baalim. [that is, to the honor of the idols, which they called Baalim, because they held them to be their Lord. See Judg.2.on v.11.]

3. Also he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinmon; [See 2 Kings 23.on v.10.] and he burnt his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, [it is said, 2 Kings 16:3. that he made his son to pass thorough the fire. This King Achaz caused some of his sons to be burnt, as here affirmed, and it may be that he made one to pass only thorough the fire, as it is written, 2 King.16.3. See of this heathenish abomination, Lev.18.on v.21. Compare below chap.33. the annotate. On v.3.] whom the LORD had driven out of possession before the face of the children of Israel.

4. He offered also, and burnt incense on the high places, [See Lev.26.on v.30.] and on the hills; as also under all (or every) green tree. [see Deut.12.on verse 2.]

5. Therefore the LORD his God [To wit, according to the covenant of grace, which God had made with Abraham and his posterity: or according to the hypocrical profession, which Achaz made, feigning himself to hold the Lord God of his Fathers, to be his God also; as idolaters do commonly halt on both sides, 1 Kin.18.21.] delivered him into the hand of the King of Syria, [called Rezin, 2 Kings 16:5.] (so) that they smote him, and carried away captive from him a great multitude of prisoners, whom they brought to Damascus: [Heb. Damesek. So above chap.16.2.] And he was also delivered into the hand of the King of Israel [called Pekah in the following verse, and 2 kin.16.5.] who smote him with a great smitting. [compare above chap.13.on vers.17.]

6. For Pekah, the son of Remalia smote dead in Juda an hundred and twenty thousand one day, all war like men, [Hebr. sons of battle, army, strength. Of the significations of the Hebrew word hail, see Gen.47.on vers.6.] because they had forsaken the LORD God of their Fathers. [compare 1 Kings 15. The annotate. On v.29.]

7. And Zichri a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maalseia the kings [Namely, Achaz his] son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, [or the Leader of the house, who as high Steward had the chief or supream command over the Kings household. So the Ruler over the treasures, is put for the chief or supream treasurer, 1 Chron.26.24.] as also Elkana, the second after the king.

8. And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren, [That is, of the Jews, who with the Israelites were descended from one father Jacob. See ab. Chap.11.on v.4. also below v.11. and 15.] two hundred thousand, women, sons and daughters, and plundered also much prey from them: and they brought the prey to Samaria.

9. Now (there) was a Prophet of the LORD there, whose name was Oded; [A Prophet, to be distinguished from another of this name, who lived in the time of king Asa, ab.ch.15.v.1.] be went out to meet the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them; behold, by reason of the wrath of the LORD the God of your Fathers against Juda, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in wrath, which reacheth up unto heaven. [an hyperbole, or phrase signifying a special exaggeration of the thing whereof mention is made, and importing with all a threatening and vengeance of God from heaven. Compare Gen.11.4. and Ezra 9:6.]

10. Moreover, ye intend [Hebr. say, or, are saying. See Gen.20.on v.11. and 1 Kin.5.on v.5. so bel.v.17.] to subject the children of Juda and Jerusalem for bond-men, and bond-women unto you: Are ye not the only (men)? [to wit, that seek to enthrall your brethren, and to make them slaves and bondmen? Or are ye not besides that singly full of guilty] with you there are guiltinesses [that is, nothing but sins] against the Lord your God. [it is as much as if he had said; as for you that are the rod of Gods judgement against the Jews that have incensed him, are ye better then they? What is there else with you, but meer sins and transgressions, whereby ye have continually hitherto provoked the Lord to anger, so that ye can expect nothing else but plagues and judgments. Oth. Are they not with you, yea concerning you, guiltinesses, etc.]

11. Now then, hearken to me, and bring the captives again, [Hebr. Prison, captivity. See Numb.31.on vers.12. so below vers.13,14,15,17.] which ye have carried away captive of your brethren: for the heat of the LORD’s anger is upon you.

12. Then (certain) men of the head of the children of Ephraim, [Meaning, the chiefest of Samaria. They are called below vers.14. Rulers, or, Princes] Azaria the son of Johanan, Berechia the son of Mesillemoth, and Jehizkia the son of Sallum, and Amaza the son of Hadlai, rose up against those that came from the war:

13. And they said unto them; Ye shall not bring in the captives hither; [To wit, into Samaria] for a guilt upon us against the LORD, [Hebr. guilt of the Lord: that is, against the LORD, as Vers.10.] ye intend. [Hebr.ye are saying; that is, purposing in your heart. See above on vers.10.] to add unto our sins, and to our guiltinesses, although we have much guilt, [it is as much as if they had said; that which ye intend, is a new sin, whereby ye would aggravate our former sins, whereas we have already but too many of them] and the heat of wrath [namely, of the Lord, whereby he is incensed against our sins. The word wrath is, without addition of the word God, often understood of the wrath of God, because it may properly, in respect of its greatness, be called wrath. So Numb.1.53. and 18.5. Josua 22.0. 1 Chron.27.24. above 24.18.] is upon Israel.

14. Then the ready prepared [That is, the armed men, or, the souldiers] left the captives, and the spoil, before the face of the Princes, and of all the congregation.

15. Now the men, which are expressed by name, [To wit, above vers.12. Understand, those that were ordered for this work, viz. to conduct the captives, and to furnish them with necessaries] gat them up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all their naked (ones;) and they arrayed them, and shod them, and fed them, and gave them to drink, and anointed them, [to wit, to revive, and refresh these captives, according to the custom of those Eastern countrys. See Ruth 3.on vers.3.] and carried them upon asses, all that were feeble, [Hebr. (or, every) stumbling (one) that is, those that by reason of old age, or youth, or wounds, or weariness, were not well able to go, and to keep pace with the multitude] and brought them to Jericho the palm-city, [see Deut. 34.on vers.3.] to their brethren: after that they returned to Samaria.

16. At that time [To wit, when Rezin the King of Syria, and Pekah the King of Israel made war against him. See above vers.5. and 2 Kings 16:5,7.] did king Achaz send unto the Kings of Assyria, [that is, to the famous and great King of Assyria, called Tiglath-Pileser, 2 Kings 16:7. Or the Plural Number is put here for the Singular. See Gen.19.on vers.29.] to help him.

17. Moreover, the Edomites were also come; and had smitten Juda, and carried away captives.

18. Furthermore the Philistines had invaded the cities of the low country, and the South of Juda, and had taken Beth-Semes, [See 2 Kings 14.on vers.11.] and Ajalon, [see above chap.11.on vers.10.] and Gederoth, [a city in the Tribe of Juda, Jos.15.41.] and Socho, [see above chap.11.on vers.6,7.] and her dependant places, [Hebr. daughters. That is, place belonging thereunto. See Numb.21.on vers.25.] and Timna, [a city lying in Juda, Jos.15.10.] and her dependant places, and Gimoz, and her dependant places: and they dwelt there.

19. For the LORD humbled Juda, because of Achaz the King of Israel: for he had drawn away Juda, [To wit, from the true God unto Idols, from the pure worship of God, to false and superstitious idolatiries. The like signification hath the Hebrew word, Exod.5.4. Others, for he made Juda naked, to wit, of the help and protection of God, causing them to sin] (so) that they transgressed exceedingly [Hebr. transgressed transgression] against the LORD.

20. And Tillegath-Pilneser [Called also Tiglath-Pilneser, 2 Kings 15.vers.29, etc. See there the Annotations] the king of Assyria [whose help Achaz had sought, above vers.16.] came unto him: howbeit he distressed him, [or, put him to a great strait; causing him to purchase unto his side this hired Rasour, (as Isaias calleth him, chap.7.20.) with a great sum of money, and Achaz was put to very hard shift, to raise such a sum of money] and strengthened him not.

21. For Achaz took a part of the house of the LORD and of the house of the King, and of the Princes: which he gave unto the King of Assyria; [That is, he took away the Silver, and the Gold that was in the Temple, and in the treasures of the Kings house, etc. and gave the same for a present to the King Assyria. See 2 Kings 16:8.] but he helped him not. [Hebr. He was no help unto him: namely, to King Achaz.]

22. Yea in the time, when he was distressed, then he trespassed yet more against the LORD: this was king Achaz. [That is, such a one was King Achaz, to wit, always the same man, so that he grew no whit better, but waxed daily worse and worse, although the Lord plagued and punished him grievously.]

23. For he offered unto the Gods of Damascus, [Hebr. Darmesek] that had smitten him; [some apply these words, that had smitten him, to the people of the city of Damascus; but others to the Gods of Damascus: so that Achaz his meaning should be, that they were the Gods of Damascus, that had smitten him] and said; Because the Gods of the Kings of Syria help them, I will offer unto them, that they may (also) help me: but they were to him for his fall, [Hebr. to cause him to fall] as also to all Israel.

24. And Achaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD: [Namely, of the Porch, and of the holy place, below cha.29.7. whereby this wicked King caused the whole service of God to cease. Compare below chap.29.3.] moreover, he made him altars in all corners at Jerusalem.

25. Also he made in every city [Hebr. in all (or every) city, and city] of due high places, to burn incense unto other Gods: [Meaning, other than the true God, that had revealed himself unto his people, and therefore are also called strange Gods. See Gen.35.2. and the Annotations thereon] he also provoked the LORD God of his fathers to anger.

26. Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, [See above chap.27.on vers.6.] the first, and the last; behold, they are written in the book of the Kings of Juda, and Israel.

27. And Achaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city at Jerusalem. See 1 Kings 16:20.] but they brought him not into the sepulchers of the Kings of Israel: [that is, Juda. See above chap.21.on vers.2.] and Jehizkia his son became king in his stead.