2 Chronicles 28

2 Chronicles 28:3

Benennon, “the son of Ennom,” 4 K. xvi. — Consecrated. Heb. “burnt.” H.

2 Chronicles 28:4

Tree. Remarkable for its size and beauty; as the heathens supposed that some deity lay there concealed. Mariana. T.

2 Chronicles 28:5

Booty. Heb. “number of captives.” H. — The two kings had besieged Jerusalem without success: (4 K.) but now their forces were divided. M. — The motives of this war were unjust, (Micheas ii. 8.)

2 Chronicles 28:7

CHAPTER XXVIII.

At the same time, is not in Hebrew (C.) or Sept. H. — Zechri, one of the generals of Phacee, slew the king’s son, &c. after the engagement. — Next. Joseph and Aman enjoyed the like dignity, Gen. xli. 42., and Esther xiii. 3. The high priests had also seconds, 4 K. xxv. 18. Sept. “vicar of the king.” C.

2 Chronicles 28:9

Heaven, and cries for vengeance against you. Though God designed to punish his people, your cruelty will not be excused. H. — The effect of this remonstrance, shews that all the kingdom of Israel was not devoid (C.) of feeling and religion. H. — They set a noble example for Christian princes to follow after a victory. D.

2 Chronicles 28:10

God, who forbids this, Lev. xxv. 43., and Micheas ii. 8, 9. Heb. “are there not with you, yea, with you, sins against?” &c. If Juda have deserved punishment, reflect if you also be not guilty, v. 13. Sept. “Behold, am I not here with you to bear witness to the Lord?”

2 Chronicles 28:13

Our, is expressed in Heb. and Sept. These people justly confess that they stand in need of pardon, without adding fresh crimes. H. — The cruel treatment of the people of Juda, and the design to make them slaves, were grievous sins. C.

2 Chronicles 28:15

Above. Heb. “by name.” They deserved to be immortalized. H. — Anointed. This was very common, (M.) and refreshing. Celsus i. 3.

2 Chronicles 28:16

Kings. Heb. “kings.” But Sept. have the singular, 4 K. xvi. 7.

2 Chronicles 28:17

And. Sept. “Because the Edomites had come,…and taken many prisoners.” Prot. “for again,” &c. H.

2 Chronicles 28:18

Gamzo. Syriac, “Garam,” perhaps Gaza, (C.) or a city south of Juda. M.

2 Chronicles 28:19

Of Juda. Heb. “Israel.” But the Sept. have “Juda.” H. — The names are often used promiscuously. C. — For he. Sept. “because he or it had apostatised from the Lord.” — Script. Prot. “he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore,” &c. Thus were the idolatrous Israelites exposed to shame and misery, after they had adored the golden calf, Ex. xxxii. 25. H. — In the Bacchanalian riots, the pagans threw off their garments, to shew that they trusted entirely in their false gods. T. — Achaz had plunged his country in distress, (C.) both of soul and body, (H.) by his scandalous deportment. C. — Of all help, is added by way of explanation; (T.) as God would no longer rescue his rebellious people from the hands of the enemy. H.

2 Chronicles 28:20

And. Heb. and Sept. “And….the king….came against him, and smote him.” Hebrew continues, “but strengthened him not” in the end; though he had been invited, (v. 16.; H.) and had actually made a diversion in favour of Achaz. But not being satisfied, he afterwards returned, and made cruel havoc in the country, imposing tribute upon the king, v. 21., 4 K. xvi. 7., and xviii. 7. It is therefore unnecessary to correct the Hebrew, with Grotius, to make it agree with 4 K. xvi. 7. Thus—he “came to his aid, and relieved him from his distress, (v. 21,) and granted him assistance.”

2 Chronicles 28:21

Gifts. Tribute. C. — Heb. “and gave it to, &c.: but he did not help him.” H.

2 Chronicles 28:22

Moreover. Sept. “but to distress him.” — Wicked policy availeth nothing, but entails much evil. W. — King. Heb. “that king Achaz.” The sacred writer thus stigmatizes the impious king, who grew worse the more he was scourged. H. — This was the monster, which could not be tamed. Amama — Eva. “ille,” is five times used as a reproach, and often to signify applause.

Kimchi — By himself, is an addition. Amama — It gives us to understand (H.) that Achaz acted thus of his own accord. C. — Sept. “And king Achaz said, I will studiously seek the gods of Damascus, who have buffetted me,” &c. H. — This resolution he took while the arms of Rasin were formidable to him: but he put it in execution after the king of Assyria had delivered him, when he went to Damascus to return him thanks, 4 K. xvi. 10. This stupid blindness and impiety irritated God so much, that he abandoned Juda to the arms of the king, who had been called in as a protector. How could he expect aid from gods who had suffered their own country and people of Damascus to fall a prey to the invader!

C.

2 Chronicles 28:24

God: first through fear of the Assyrian, (4 K.) but afterwards he permitted it to continue in the same state of irreligion. C. — So easily do people fall into this abyss, who begin to neglect instruction! H. — Ezechias took care to open the temple again, C. xxix. 3. C. — None of the former kings had dared (H.) to prohibit the worship of the true God. T.

2 Chronicles 28:27

Israel is put as comprising Juda. H. C. xx. 34., and xxiv. 16., &c. C.