2 Chronicles 32

Sanherib the King of Assyria invading Juda, Hizkia fortifieth the city of Jerusalem, vers.1, &c. Comforteth and exhorteth the people, 7. Sanherib defieth Hizkia, and blasphemeth God, 9. Hizkia and Isai the Prophet call unto the LORD, 20. The Assyrians are smitten by an Angel, 21. Hizkia falleth sick, 24. Being recovered, he provoketh God, but is afterward grieved for it, and repenteth, 25. He continueth blessed, 27. Offendeth, by dealing with the Ambassadors of Babel, 31. He dieth, and Manasseh his son becometh king, 33.

1. After these acts, [Of which see also 2 Kings 18:13. and Isa.38.1, etc.] and the establishment thereof [or truth, fidelity, firmness, stability, assurance. That is, after that the worship of God was, according to the word of God, faithfully established and assured] Sanherib the king of Assyria came, and entered into Juda, and camped himself against the fenced cities, and thought [Hebr. said; that is, thought, and had an intention. See 2 King.5.on vers.5.] to rent them off for himself. [that is, to take them away from King Hizkia, and to bring them under his own dominion and Jurisdiction.]

2. Now Jehizkia seeing that Sanherib came, and (that) his face was to the war against Jerusalem: [that is, that he had a firm resolution to fight against Jerusalem: [That is, that he had a firm resolution to fight against Jerusalem. Compare 2 Kings 12:17. and see the Annotat. Thereon.]

3. He took counsel with his Princes, and his Champions, to stop the Fountain-waiters which were without the city: And they did help him.

4. For much people was gathered together, who stopped all the Fountains, together with the brook [Called Gihon, below vers.30. See also of this brook, 1 Kings 1:33. and the annotate.] that ran thorough the midst of the land, saying; why should the kings of Assyria [meaning Sanherib king of Assyria, with the Princes that were with him, of which see below vers.21. whereof it may be also that some were Kings that were under the command and dominion of Sanherib] come, and find much water?

5. So he strengthened himself, [That is, he took counsel rage, when he saw the unfaithefulness of the King of Assyria, whose favour he but a little before had purchased, (though in vain) with a great sum of money, 2 Kings 18:14, etc.] and built up all the wall that was broken, [namely, by Joas the King of Israel, when he had smitten Amazia the King of Juda, and taken Jerusalem. See above chap.25.23.] which he raised up to the towers, [which seem to have been upon the corner-gate, and upon the gate of Ephraim: Of which gates see above chap.25.23.] with another wall without, [see of this wall below chap.33.14.] and he fortified Millo, [see 2 Kings 9.on vers.15.] (in) the city of David: And he made weapons and shields in abundance.

6. And he set Captains of war over the people, and he gathered them together to him in the street of the city-gate, [That is, which was by the city-gate] and spake according to their heart, [Hebr. upon their heart: that is, friendly and comfortably, and that which was pleasing and delightful for them to hear. See Gen.34.on v.3.] saying;

7. Be strong, and of good courage, be not afraid, nor dismayed for the face of the king of Assyria, nor for the face of all the multitude that is with him: For there are more with us, then with him.

8. With him is a fleshly arm [Hebr. arm of flesh: that is, a fleshly and weak power, on which a man cannot rely. See Jerem.17.3. Thus the word arm is put for strength, Psa.10 15. And 44.4. Jerem.48.25. Ezek. Chap.30.22. and flesh for that which is weak, brittle, and mortal, Psa.78.39. Isa.31.5.] but with us is the LORD our God, to help us, and to war our wars: [that is, to wage our wars. So 1 Sam.8.20.] and they rested themselves upon Jehizkia the King of Juda. [that is, held themselves contended, being comforted, and relying on the power and help of God, of which the King had assured them in his aforesaid words.]

9. After this Sanherib the king of Assyria sent his servants, [Meaning Lords, Princes, Officers, that were under his command. See Gen.20.on vers.8.] to Jerusalem, (but he himself was before Lanchis, and all his dominion [that is, power. Understand all the Princes and Rulers, accompanied with their people that were under the power and command of the King of Assyria] with him) unto Jehizkia the King of Juda, and unto all Juda, that were at Jerusalem, saying;

10. Thus saith Sanherib the King of Assyria; whereon do ye trust, that ye bide [Hebr. are sitting. Sitting is put for tarrying or abiding, Gen.49.24. Josh.1.14. 2 Sam.2.13, etc.] at Jerusalem in the fort? [or, strong hold, castle, etc. Oth. Siege.]

11. Doth not Jehizkia invite you, that he might give you over, to die by hunger, and by thirst, saying; The LORD our God shall redeem [Or, rescue, pluck out, deliver] us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

12. Hath not the same Jehizkia taken away his high places, and his altar, [He meant the high places and altars of the LORD the true God, as if the images of idols could not be broken down, otherwise then with the subversion and destruction of true Religion] and spoken to Juda and Jerusalem, saying; ye shall worship before one altar of the true God, and not before the altars idols. Compare 2 Kings 18:22. and the annotate.] and burn incense upon it?

13. Know ye not what I and my Fathers [Meaning, his predecessors in the Assyrian Monarchy, as Salmanasser, whom they write to be his Father; also Tiglath-Pileser, Phul, Belochus, etc. So in the two following verses] have done to all the nations of the lands? [see of some of these nations, 2 Kings 18:34. and 19.12,13.] were the Gods of the nations of those lands any ways able: That is, able in any wise, or by any means to deliver] their land out of mine hand?

14. Who is there among all the Gods of those nations, which my Fathers banned, [See of this word, Duet.2.on v.34.] that could delivered his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand.

15. Now then, let not Hizkia deceive you, neither let him incite you on this manner, nor believe him; for no God of any nation and Kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and (out of) the hand of my Fathers: How much less shall your God [Oth. Your Gods] be able to deliver you out of mine hand? [Heb. how much more shall your Gods not able to deliver you out of mine hand?]

16. Moreover, his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Jehizkia. [For they were twice sent by him, to blaspheme God, and to scoff at Hizkia. First, when he lay with his camp before Lachis, 2 King.18.17. Secondly, when he lay before Libna, and made preparation for to meet the King of the Moors, 2 Kings 19. vers.8.9.]

17. He wrote also letter: [Which he gave his Ambassadors to carry along with them at the second time of his sending them. See 2 Kin.19.14.] to defy the LORD the God o Israel, and to speak against him, saying: As the Gods of the nations of the lands, that have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Jehizkia deliver his people out of mine hand.

18. And they cryed with a loud voice in the Jewish language, against the people of Jerusalem that were upon the wall, to make them afraid, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.

19. And (they) spake of [Oth. Against: So in the following words] the God of Jerusalem, [that is, the true God, that had chosen and adopted the Israelites out of singular grace and favor to be his own peculiar people, and had promised to dwell among them, but especially at Jerusalem in the Temple, where the Ark was, a token of his presence] as of the gods of the nations of the Earth, a work of the hands of man.

20. But king Jehizkia, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed [See the prayer penned by Hizkia, 2 Kings 19 15,16.] against: [oth. for it] and they cried unto heaven.

21. And the LORD sent an Angel, who destroyed all the warlike Champions, and Princes and Captains in the camp of the King of Assyria: [see 2 Kings 19.on v.35. and Isa.37.on vers.36.] So he returned with shame of face into his (own) land; and when he was entered [to wit, to worship. See 2 Kings 19:37.] into the house of his God; [called Niscroch, King.19.37.] then they that were come forth out of his (own) body, [Hebr. they that came out, or, the comings forth of his bowels, or, (some) of them that came forth of his bowels; meaning two of his sons, called Adramelech, and Sareser, 2 Kings 19 37. Compare the phrase with other phrases that have a like meaning, Gen.35.11. and 46.26.] felled him with the sword.

22. Thus the LORD delivered Jehizkia, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of the hand of Sanherib the king of Assyria, and out of the hand of all: [That is, of all the Princes, Captains of war, and souldiers that were come with Sanherib] and he conducted them round about. [to wit, as a shepherd doth guide and lead his sheep; governing, preserving, and defending them on every side.]

23. And many brought presents unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and choice costlinesses to Jehizkia the King of Juda; so that he was after that lifted up [Other. He lifted up himself [see v.25.] before the eyes of all the heathen.

24. In those days Jehizkia was sick unto death? [See hereof further, with the exposition hereto belonging, 2 Kings 20:1. etc. item Isa.38.1.] and he prayed unto the LORD; [see his prayer, 2 Kings 20:3.] he spake unto him, [to wit, by the Prophet Isaia] and he gave him a wonderful token. [see hereof, 2 Kings 20 9.]

25. But Jehizkia made no recompense, according to the benefit done unto him, for his heart was lifted up: [That is, he behaved not himself towards the Lord, so many mercies and favors upon him, to the end that should demean himself humbly and submissively under his hand, and not that he should swell up with pride and arrogance, as he did by shewing all his treasures and wealth unto the Ambassadors of the king of Babel] Therefore (there) was great wrath [to wit, of the Lord] upon him, and upon Juda and Jerusalem. [understand the taking of the city of Jerusalem, and the Babylonish captivity, which God in his just wrath brought upon the Jews, 2 King.20.17,18.]

26. Howbeit, Jehizkia humbled himself for the lifting up of his heart, [See of this humliliation, 2 Kings 20:19.] he, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: So that the great wrath of the LORD came not upon him in the days of Jehizkia.

27. Now Jehizkia had exceeding much riches and honor: And he made him treasure for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all desirable furniture: [Hebr. furniture, or vessels of desire, or precious vessels, or furniture; for precious things are wont to be desired with much delight and pleasure. So below chap.36.vers 10.19.]

28. Store-houses also for the increase of corn, wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, [Hebr. for beasts and beasts] and coats for stocks, [as the stalls were for great beasts, so the coats were for small cattle. Oth. And stalls for stocks; to wit, of sheep and goats: Or, and flocks in the stalls.]

29. Moreover he had made him cities, as also possession of sheep and oxen in abundance: For God gave him very great substance.

30. The same Jehizkia also stopped the upper issue of the waters of Gihon, [Or, water-going, water-course, fountain-vein, or spring, of the water of Gihon] and brought it [to wit, those waters, or that water course] straight down to the west-(side) of the city of David. [see 1 Kings 2 on vers. 10.]

31. But it is so, (that) when the Ambassadors of the Princes of Babel, [Meaning the king of Babels councellors, who with his approbation had sent away these Ambassador: For which cause it is said, that they were their Ambassadors, which 2 Kings 20:12. are called the Kings Ambassadors. The sending of the Ambassadors is done by the King and his Council. See Isa.37.14.] that had sent to enquire about that wonder that was done in the land, [namely, that miracle that was done in the sun for Hizkia’s sake, 2 Kings 20. Vers.10,11.] (were with him), God left him to try him, [understand here such a leaving or forsaking, whereby God leaveth those that are his, not for ever, nor wholly, but only for acertain time withholding from them some help and strengthening, not to cause them to perish, but to try them, to humbled them, and to stir them up to their duty, and to instruct others by their example. Of this tempting or trying of God, see Gen.22.on v.1.] to know all (that) was in his heart. [that is, that God might make known to Hizkia, and to all the church, what was in his heart. For God made trial of him for a while by the forementioned desertion, that he might know himself, and out of the sense and feeling of his own weakness and impotency might have cause to humbled himself; and that all believers beholding their own weakness and infirmity in him, might work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. Compare Deut.8.2. Gen.22.12. with the annotate.]

32. Now the rest of the acts of Jehizkia, and his good deeds, [To wit, which he did unto the people of God, in taking away idolatry, in defending and maintaining the pure worship of God, etc. Compare below chap.35.26.] behold, they are written in the vision of Isaia the Prophet, [that is, in the Prophecy of Isaia: Meaning the Book of his Prophecy: And see there from the 36. Chap.to the 40.] the son of Amoz, (and) in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.

33. And Jehizkia fell asleep with his Fathers, and they buried him in the highest of the sepulchers [Meaning a place that was raised higher, and therefore the worthiest among the rest] of the sons of David: Moreover, all Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death; and Manasseh his son became King in his stead.