Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
fotham'g Good Reign. 2 CHRONICLES XXVII, XXVIII. 27ie Evil Reign of Ahaz.
sonally Included in the number either of the slain or the captives. The slaughter of 120,(X)0 in one day wivs a terrible calamity, which, it is expressly said (v. fi), was inflicted as a judgment on Judah, "because tUej' had for.saken the Lord God of their fathers." Amontf the slain were some persons of distinction, " Maaseiah the king's son." The sons of Ahaz being too young to take part in a battle, this individual must have Ijeen a younger son of the late king Jotham. " Azrikam, the governor of the house," i. e., the palace; and "Elkanah that was next to the king," i. e.. the vizier or prime minister (Genesis -11. 40; Esther 10. 3) These were all cut down on the field by Zichri, an Israeliwicked act Is in both records traced to the intoxicating Influence of overweening pride and vanity. But here Ihe additional circumstances are stated, that his entrance was opposed, and strong remonstj-ances made (1 Chronicles 6. 10) by the high priest, who was accompanied by eiglity inferior priests. Rage and tlireats were the only answers he deigned to return, but God took care to vindicate the sacredness of the priestly office, and at the moment of the king's lifting the censer, struck him with leprosy. The earthquake mentioned (Amos 1. 1) is said to have been felt at the moment. [Josephus.] 21. dwelt lu a several house—in an infirmary. [Bertheau.] 33. tliey burled him ... In the field of tlie burial vvlilch belonged to tlie kings—He was interred not In, but near, the sepulchre of the kings, as the corpse of a leper would have polluted it.
tish warrior, or as some think, ordered to be put to death after the battle. A vast number of captives also fell into the power of the conquerors; and an equal division of war prisoners being made between the allies, they were sent off under a military escort to the respective capitals of Syria and Israel. 8. the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred tliousand —Tliese captives included a great number of women, boys, and girls, a circumstance which creates a presumption that the Hebrews, like other Orientals, were accompanied in the war by multitudes of non-combatants (see on Judges 4. 8). The report of these " bretlnen," being brought as captives to Samaria, excited general indignation among the better-disposed inhabitants; and Oded, a prophet, accompanied by the princes (v. 12, compared with v. I I), went out, as tlie escort was approaching, to prevent the disgraceful outrage of introducing sucii prisoners, into tlie
CHAPTER XXVII.
Ver. 1-4. JoTHAM, Reig>'ino Well, Prospers. 1. Jotliam was twenty and five years old—(See on 2 Kings
15. 32-3.5.) His mother's name . . . was •Terushah, the daughter of Zadok—or descendant of tlie famous priest of that name. 3. he did that which was right—The general rectitude of his government is described by representing it as conducted on the excellent principles which had guided the early part of his father's reign, the people did yet corruptly—(see 2 Kings 15.35); but the description here is more emphati(t, tliat thougli Jotham did niucli to promote the good of iiis kingdom, and aimed at a tliorougli reformation in religion, tlie widespread and inveterate wickedness of the people frustrated all his laudable efforts. 3. He built the high gate of the house of the Lord—Situated on tlie nortli—tliat portion of tlie temple hill which was liigli compared witli tlie southern part—hence " the higlier," or uyiper gate (2 Kings 15.35). lie built, >. e., repaired or embellished, and on the wall of OpV„j Hebrew, the Opliel, i. e., the mound, or eminence on the south-eastern slope of tlie temple mount, a lidge lying between tlie valleys Kedron and Tyropoeon, called "tlie lower city." [Josephus.] lie "built much," having tlie same desire as iiis father to secure tlio defence of Jerusalem in every direction. 4. in the mountains of .Tudali, and in the forests Itc built castles and towers— t. e., in tlie elevated and wooded spots wlieio city. The officers of the squadron were, of course, not to blame; they were simply doing their military duty in conducting those prisoners of war to their destination. But Oded clearlj' showed that the Israelitish army had gained the victory—not by the superiority of their arms, but in consequence of the Divinejudgment against Judah; he forcibly exposed the enormity of the oft'once of keeping "their brethren" as slaves got in war; ho protested earnestly against adding this great offence of unnatural and sinful cruelty (Leviticus. 25. 43, 44; Micah 2. 8, 9) to the already overwhelming amount of their own national sins; and such was tlie effect of his spirited ronionstranco, and the opposing tide of popular feeling, " that the armed men left the captives and the spoil before tlie princes and all the congregation." 15. the men which were expressed by name rose up—These were either the " heads of the children of Ephraim" (mentioned v. 12), or some otiier leading individuals chosen for the benevolent office.
fortified cities could not be placed, he erected castles and towers.
5-9. He StTBDUES THE Ammonites. 5. He fought wUh the king of the Ammonites—Tliis invasion lie not only repelled, but, pursuing the Ammonites into their own territory, imposed on them a yearly triliute, wliich, for two years, they paid; but when Hc/.in, king of Syria, and Pekali, king of Israel, combined to attack the kingdom of Judali, they took the opportunity of revolting, and Jotliam was too distracted by other mutters to attempt the re-conquest (see on 2 Kings 15. 37).
Under their kindly superintendence, the prisoners were not only released, but out of the spoils were comfortably relieved with food and clothing, and conveyed as far as Jericho on tlieir way back to their own homes. This is a beautiful incident, and full of interest, as showing that even at this period of national decline tliere were not a few who steadfastly ailhrred to the law of God. 10. At that time did Iving Ahaz send unto tlic kiii;;s of Assyria — "Kings," the plural for the singular, which in many ancient versions is found. "At that time," refers to the period of Alia/.'s great distress, wlien, after a succession of defeats, he retreated within the walls of Jerusalem, whither—either in the same or a subsequent campaign—the Syrian aiiii Israelitish allies marched to besiege him (see on 2 Kings Ifi. 7-9). Though delivered from
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Ver. 1-21. Ahaz, Reigning Wickedly, is Afflicted BY THE Syrians. 1-4. Ahaz was twenty years old—
(see on 2 Kings 16. 1-4). Tliis prince, discarding the principles and example of liis excellent father, early betrayed a strong bias to idolatry. Ho ruled with au arbitrary and absolut(! authority, and not us a theoi'ratlc sovereign : lie tills danger, other enemies Infested Ills dominions both on the south and the west. 17. again the Kdomltea had come and smitten .ludah—This invasion must have been after Ufzlii (at the beginning of llie late Sy ro Israel-. not only forsook the temple of (lod, but embraced first the symbolic worship establislied in th(! sister Iciiigdoiu, and afterwards the gross idolatry pi ad iscd hy the t'unaaiiitlsli war), had rcli'ascd that |ieo|ile fniiii the .yoke of.liiilali
(ch. 15. 11 ; cf. 2 Kings 1(1. (>). IS. CJederoth— ( )n the riilllstlne frontier (Joshua 15.11). Shoeho—or .Socnh (Joshua ites. 5, G. the Lord . , . dellvvrel liinii Into the hand of the king of Syria . . . he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel-Tlicso verses, without alli Kling to the Ibnnutlon of a confederacy between the S.yriun and Israelltish kings to invade the kingdom of Judah, or relating the commenceineiit of tlie war in the close of .lotham's reign (2 Kings 15.37), give the lssu(^ only of some battles that wen; fought in the early part of the campaign, delivereti him . . . smote hint . . . he was also delivered— t. e., his army, for Alia/ wan not per280
15. ;i5), now SliuwelUeh, a town in the Valley of .Judah (see on 1 Saiiiiiel 17. 1). tiimso—Now .Tlniza, a little east of li Udd (Lyddal [ItoniNSON.) AU these disasters, by which the "Lord brought Judah low," was becniise of Ahnjs, king of Israel (.ludalil, see ch. 21. 2; '24. hi; '2S. 27, who made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord. ^O. I'llgatli-pllneser . . .distressed hint, but stre.ngthened htm no! i.<:. Not wit hstumll iig t lie temporary relief which 'I'ilgath-pllnescr aH'oidud hlui liy the conqtie«l
Ilezekiah's Good Reign, 2 CHRONICLES XXIX, XXX. The House of God Clocmsed, of Damascus and the slaughter of Rezin (2 Kings 16. 9), the temple, the priest brought all the sweepings out to the porch, where they were received by the Levites, and thrown into the brook Kedron. This took eight days more; and, at the end of this period they repaired to the palace, and announced that not only had tlie whole of the sacred edifice, witliin and without, undergone a thorough purification, but all the vessels which the late king had taken away and applied to a common use in his palace, had been restored, "and sanctified." 30. Tlien Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city—His anxiety to enter upon the expiatory service with all possible despatch, now that the temple had been properly prepared for it, prevented his summoning the whole representatives of Israel. The requisite number of victims having been provided, and the oflicers of the temple having sanctified themselves according to the directions of the law, the priests were appointed to offer sacrifices of atonement successively for " the kingdom," little advantage resulted from it, for Tilgath-pilneser spent the winter in voluptuous revelry at Damascus; and the connection formed with the Assyrian king was eventually a source of new and greater calamities and humiliation to the kingdom of Judah (u. 2, 3).
22-27. His Idolatky in His Distress. 33. In the time of Ills distress did he trespa yet more against tite Iiord—This Infatuated king surrendered himself to the Influence of Idolatry, and exerted his royal authority to extend it, with the intensity of a passion—with the ignorance and servile fear of a heathen {v. 23) and a ruthless defiance of God (see on 2 Kings 16. 10-20).
CHAPTER XXIX.
Ver. 1, 2. Hezekiah's Goob Reign. 1. Heiekiah began to reign, &c.—(see on 2 Kings 18. 1-3.) His mother's name, which, in the passage referred to, appears in an abridged form, is here given in full.
i. e., for the sins of the king and his predecessors—"for the sanctuary," i. e., for tlie sins of tlie priests themselves, and for the desecration of the temple—"and for Judah,"
3-11. He Restores Religion. 3. in tlie first year of Ills reign. In the first month—Not the first month efter his accession to the throne, but in Nisan, the first month of the sacred year, the season appointed for the celebration of the passover. he opened the doors of tlie honse of the Iiord—Which had been closed up by his father (ch. 28.24). and he repaired tliem—or embellished them (cf. 2 Kings 18. 16). 4. the east street—The court of the priests, which fronted the eastern gate of the temple. Assembling the priests and Levites there, he enjoined them to set about the Immediate purification of the temple. It does not appear that the order referred to the removal of idols, for objects of idolatrous homage could scarcely have been put there, seeing the doors had been shut np ; but in its forsaken and desolate state the temple and its courts had been polluted by every kind of impurii. e., for the people who, by their voluntary consent, were Involved in tlie guilt of the national apostasy. Animals of the kinds used in sacrifice were offered hy sevens—that number indicating copipleteness. The Levites were ordered to praise God with musical instruments, which, although not originally used in tlie taljeriiacle, had been enlisted in the service of Divine worship by David on the advice of the prophets Gad and Kathan, as well calculated to animate the devotions of the people. At the close of the special services of the occasion, viz., the offering of atonement sacrifices, the king and all civic rulers who were present joined in the worship. A grand anthem was sung (v. 30) by the choir, consisting of some of the psalms of David and Asaph, and a great number of thank ot Terings, praise offerings, and free-will burnt ot Terings were presented at the invitation of the king. 31. Hezekiah . . . said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the li Ord, come near—This address was made to the priests as being now, by the sacrifice of the expiation offerings, anew consecrated to the service'of God, and qualified to resume the functions of tlieir sacred ties. 6. our fatliers have trespassed—Ahaz and the generation contemporary with him were specially meant, for " they turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord," and whether or not they turned east to the rising sun, they abandoned the worship of God. "They Bhut up the doors of the porch," so that the sacred ritual was entirely discontinued. 8, AVlnerefore tlie wrath of the li Ord -was upon Judali and Jerusalem—This pious king had the discernment to ascribe all the national calamities that had befallen the kingdom to the true cause, viz., apostasy from God. The country had been laid waste by successive wars of invasion, and its resources drained, many families mourned members of their household still suttering the miseries of foreign captivity, all their former prosperity and glory liad fled, and to what was this painful and humiliating state of aflairs to be traced, but tlie manifest judgment of God upon the kingdom for its sins? lO. 11. Kow it is in mine heart to make a covenant with God—Convinced of the sin and bitter fruits of idolatry, Hezekiali intended to reverse the policy of his father, and to restore, in all its ancient purity and glory, the worship of tlie true God. His commencement of this resolution at the beginning of his reign attests his sincere piety, and it also proves the strength of his conviction that righteoii>iiiess exalteth a nation, for, instead of waiting till his mrone was consolidated, he devised measures of r uional reformation at the beginning of his reign, and vigorously faced all the dlfliculties which, in such a course, he had to encounter, after the people's habits had so long been moulded to Idolatry. His Intensions were first disclosed to this meeting of the priests and Levites—for the agency of these ofllcials was to be employed in carrying them into oflace (Exodus 28. 41 ; 29. 32). the congregation brought In i. e., the body of civic rulers present. 34. the priests were too few, wherefore their brethren tlie l>evites did help them—The skins of beasts intended as peace offerings might be taken off by the officers, because, in such cases, the carcass was not wholly laid upon the altar; but animals meant for burnt offerings which were wholly consumed by fire could be flayed by the priests alone, not even the Levites being allowed to touch them, except in cases of unavoidable necessity (ch. 35. 11). The duty being assigned by the law to the priests (Leviticus 1.
6), was construed by consuetudinary practice as an exclusion of all others not connected with the Aaroiiic family, for the Lievites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests—i. e., displayed greater alacrity than the priests. This service was hastened on by the irrepressible solicitude of the king; and wliether it was that many of the priests being absent in tlie country, had not arrived in time—whether from the long interruption of the public duties, some of them had relaxed in their wonted attentions to personal cleanliness, and had many preparations to make, or whether from some having participated in the idolatrous services introduced by Ahaz, they were backward in i( i)airing to the temple—a reflection does seem to be cast ui)oii tlieir order as dilatory and not universally ready for duty (cf. ch. 30
15). Thus was the newly-consecrated temple reopened to the no small joy of the pious king and all the people.
eflect.
12-30. The House of God Cleansed, la. Then tlie licvites arose—Fourteen chiefs undertook the duty of collecting and preparing their brethren for the important work of "cleansing the Lord's house." Beginning with the outer courts—that of tlie pri<^sts and that of the people—the cleansing of these occupied eight days, after which they set themselves to purify the interior; but as
CHAPTER XXX.
Ver. 1-12. Hezekiah Proclaims A PasSover. 1. Ileke* kiah srnt to all , , . .Tudnh . . , to come to . . . Jemsalein, to keep the passover—This great religious festival had not been regularly observed l)y the Hebrews in their national capacity for a long time, in consequeaca thf; Levites were not allowed to enter within the walls of
Hezckiah Proclaims a Passover. 2 CHRONICLES XXXI. TTie Altars of Idolatry Destroyed.
both of the division of tiie liingdom, and the many disorders that liad followed that unhappy event. Hezekiah longed extremely to see its observance revived; and th§ expression of his wishes having received a hearty response from the princes and chief men of his own kingdom, the preparatory steps were taken for a renewed celebration of tlie national solemnity, letters to Epliralm aud DIanagseh—The names of these leading tribes are used for the whole kingdom of Israel. It being judged impossible, however, that the temple, the priests, and people could be all duly sanctified at the usual time appointed for the anniversary, viz., the fourteenth day of the first month (Nisan), it was resolved, instead of postponing the feast till another year, to observe it on the fourteenth day of the second month ; a liberty which, being in certain circumstances (Numbers 9. 6-13) granted to individuals, might, it was believed, be allowed to the whole people. Hezekiah's proclamation was, of course, authoritative ill his own kingdom, but it could not have been made and circulated in all the towns and villages of the neighbouring kingdom without the concurrence, or at least the permission, of the Israelitish sovereign. Iloshea, the reigning king, is described as though evil in some respects, yet more favourably disposed to religious liberty than any of his predecessors since the separation of the kingdom. This is thought to be the meaning of the mitigating clause in his character (2 Kings 17. 2). tlie posts— dutj' by the -greater alacrity and zeal of the people. IBIS, the priests sprinkled the blood tvhicli they received of tl«e hand of the Levites—This was a deviation from the established rules and practices in presenting the ot Terings of the temple ; and the reason was, that numbers present on the occasion having not sanctified themselves, the Levltes slaughtered the paschal victims (see on ch. 35. 5) for every one hat was unclean ; wliile a t other times the heads of families killed the lambs themselves, the priests receiving the blood from their hands and presenting it on the altar. Multitudes of the Israelites, especially from certain tribes (v. 18), were in this nnsanctified state, and yet they ate the passover—an exceptional feature and one opposed to the law (Numbers 9. 6) ; but this exception was allowed in answer to Hezekiah's prayer (v. 18-20). tlie Lord . . . healed tlie people—We imagine the whole affair to have been the following : in consequence of their transgressions they had cause to fear disease and even death (Leviticus 15. .SI). Hezekiah prayed for the nation, which was on the point of being diseased, and might therefore be regarded as sick already. [BekTHEAU.l 21. the children of Israel . . . kept the feast —The time appointed by the law for the continuance of the feast was seven days; but in consequence of its having been allowed to fall so long into desuetxide, they doubled the period of celebration, and kept it fourteen days with unabated satisfaction and jOy, materials for the additional sacrificial meals being supplied by the munificence of the king and the princes, and a great number of priests sanctifled themselves—So that there would be a sufficient number of hands for the additional services.
i.e., runners, or royal messengers, who were taken from the Icing's body-guard (ch. 2.^;. 1, 2). Each, well mounted, had a certain numlier of miles to traverse, and, having performed his course, was relieved by another, who had to scour an equal extent of ground; so that, as the government messengers were despatched in all directions, public edicts were speedily diffused throughout the country. The proclamation of Hezekiah was followed by a verbal address from himself, piously urging the duty, and setting forth the advantages of a return to the pure faith and institutions which God had delivered to their ancestors through Moses, tlie remnant of yon tliat are escaped ottt of the hand of the kings of Assyria—This implies that several expeditions against Israel had already been made by Assyrian invaders — by Pnl (2 Kings 1.5. 19\ but none of the people were then removed ; at a later period by Tiglath-pileser, when it appears that numbers among the tribes east of Jordan (1 Chronicles .5. 26), and afterwards in the northern parts of Israel (2 Kings 1.5. 20), were carried into foreign exile. The invasion of Shalmaneser cannot be alluded to, as it did not take place till the sixth year of Hezekiiih's reign (2 Kings 17.6; IS. 0-12). 10. The posts passed from city to city—It is not surprising that after so long a discontinuance of the sacred festival, this attempt to revive It should, in some quarters, have excited ridicule and opposition; and, accordingly, among the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Zebulun, liezekiiili's in('ss<'ngers met with oi)en insults and ill usage. KumlxTs, however, in these very districts, as well as throughout the kingdom of the ten tribes, generally complied with the invitation; while, in the kingdom of .ludah, there vvas one unanimous feolingof high expectation and pious delight. The concourse that repaired to .Terusalem on the occasion was very great, and tlie occasion was ever after regarded as one of the greatest passovers that had ever been celebrated.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Ver. 1-10. The People Forward in Destroying Idolatry. 1. all Israel . , , present went out into the cities of Judah—The solemnities of this paschal season left a deep aiui salutary impression on the minds of the assembled worshippers ; attachment to the ancient institutions of their country was extensively revived; ardour in the service of God animated every bosom ; and under the impulse of the devout feelings inspired by the occasion, they took measures at the close of the passover for extirpating idolatrous statues and altars out of every city, as at the beginning of the festival they had done in Jerusalem. Judah and Renjamin—denote the southern kingdom. Ephraim and Manasseh—refer to the northern kingdom. This unsparing <lemolltion of the monuments of idolatry would receive all encouragement from the king and public authorities of the former; and the force of the popular movement was sullicient to efiect the same results among the tribes of Israel, whatever opposition the power of Hoshea or the Invectives of some profane brethren might have made. Thus the reign of Idolatry being completely overthrown, .anil the inire worship of God re-established throughout the land, the people returned every one to his own liome, in the confident expectation that, through the Divine blessing, tlu-y would enjoy a happy future of national peace and prosperity. 5J. Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests, Ao.—The king now turned his attention to provide for the orderly performance of the temple-worslilp — arranging the priests and IjCvUes In their eonrses, assigning to every one his proper place and functions—and issuing edicts for the regular payment of those dues from which the revenues of the sanctuary wei"e di'rlved. To set a proper example to hla sulijects, his own jjroportion was announced in the first instance, for to the king It belonged, out of his privy imrse, to d<>fray the expenses of the altar, both stated and occasional (Numbers
13-27. Thk A.ssKMnt.Y Destroy the Ai,taiis of Tnor.ATRY. 1*. they arose, and took away the altars ftiat M-ere In .lernsalem—As a necessary prepainlion for the right ob Kcrvanee of the approaching solemnity, the removal of the altars was resolved upon, which Aliaz had erected in the city (eh. 28. 24); for, as being the people of God, the Hebrews were bound to extirpate all traces of Idolatry; and it was a happy sign and pledge of the inlluence of (he Hplrlt pervading the minds of the peojilo When they voluntarily undirtook this important preliminary work. 15. the priests and lA'vites were asliamed —Though the Levltes are associated In Ihls statein<'nl,lho priests were principally referred to; those of them who had been dilatory or negligent In sanctifying themselves (ch. 29. were put to the blush and stimulated to their 2S2
1,9, 11, 1!)); and In making this eontribullon from his own means, Hezekiah followed the course which David and Solomon had taken liefore him (see on ch. 8. 1-); 1 Kings 9. 25). .\fterwards he reappointi'd tlm people's dues to the temple; anil from Its being necessary to Kssue a royal mandate in reference to this mutter. It appears that the sacred tribute had been either totally ni'glected, or as the Idolatrous princes were known to appropriate
It to their own purposes, the people had In numy eases
Disposal oj the Tithes. 2 CIIIUA'ICLES XXXII. Sennacherib Invades Judah.
whole land was ravaged; the strong forti-esses of Ashdod (Isaiah 20. l)and Lachish had fallen; the siege of Libnan had commenced, when the king of Judah, doubting his refused or evaded the duty. But on the Improved state of public feeling, Hezekiah's coinmandnieiit was readily obeyed, and contributions of first-fruits and tithes were poured in witli great liberality fronm all vfo'ts of Judah, al)ility to resist, sent to acknowledge his fault, and ofl'er terms of submission by paying the triljute. The commencement of this Assyrian war was disastrous to Hezekiah (2 Kings 18. 13). But the misfortunes of the early period of the war are here passed over, as the historian hastens to relate the remarkable deliverance wliich God wrought for his kingdom of Judah. 3-8. when Hezekiah saw tliat Senna clierib . , , wus pui-posed to fight against Jeiaisalem—An accouiit of tlie means taken to as well as from Israel. The first-fruits, even of some articles of produce that were unfit for sacrifice (Leviticus 2.
11), such as honey (Marg. dates), were appropriated to the priests (Jfumliers IS. 12, 13; Deuteronomy 18. 4) ; the tithes
(],eviticus 27. 81) were intended for tlie support of the whole LevUical tril)e. (Numbers 18. 8, 20, 24.) G. and laid tJtein by heaps—The contributions began to be sent in shortly after the celebration of the passover, which had taken place in the middle of the second month. Some time would elapse before the king's order reached all parts of the kingdom. The wheat harvest occurred In the third month, so that the sheaves of that grain, being presented before any other, formed "the foundation," an ntider-layer in the corn stores of the temple, and the fortify Jerusalem against the threatened siege is given only in this passage. The polluting or filling up of wells, and the altering of the coui'se of rivers, is an old practice that still obtains in the wars of the East. Hezekiah'.s plan was to cover the fountain-heads, so that they might not be discovered by the enemy, an<l to carry the water by subterranean channels or pipes into the citj-—a plan which, while it would secure a constant supply to the inhabitants, would distress the besiegers, as the country all round Jerusalem was very destitute of water. 4. So tlierc was gathered mucli people . . , wlio stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the Iniid—"Where these various fountains were, we have now no positive means of ascertaining; though Enfirst-fruits of their land produce being successively sent in all the summer till the close of the fruit and vintage Season, I. e., the seventh month, continued to raise heap upon heap. 9. HezeUlali questioned wltli tlic priests and tlic Levites concerning tlie heaps—The object of his Inquiries was to ascertain whether the supplies afl Torded tlie prospect of a sut Tlcient maintenance for the members of the sacred order. 10. Azazlali . . . answered . . . we have had enough—This is probably the person mentioned (ch. 20. 17), and his reply was to , the following purport: There has been an abundant harvest, and a corresponding plenty in the incoming of first-fruits and tithes ; the people have testified their gratitude to Him who has crowned the year with His goodness by their liberality towards His servants.
rogel, and the spring now called the Virgin's Fount, may well be numbered amongst them. Josephus nientions the existence of various fountains witli Qut the city, but does not mention any of them in this connection but Siloani. ' The brook,' however, Is located with sulficient precision to enable us to trace it very definitely. We are told that ' it ran through the midst of the land.' Now a stream running through either the Kedron or Hinnora Valley, could, in no proper sense, be said to run 'tlirough the midst of the land;' but one flowing through the true Gihon valley, and separating Akra and Zion from Bezetha, Moriah, and Ophel, as a stream once, doubtless, did, could, with peculiar propriety, be said to run through
11-19. Hezekiah Appoints Officers to Dispose op THE Tithes. 11. Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the honse of the Lord—storehouses, granaries, or cellars; either the old ones, which had been allowed through neglect to fall into decay, were to be repaired, or additional ones built. Private individuals brought their own first-fruits to the temple; but the tithes were levied by the Levites, who kept a faithful account of them in their several places of abode, and tran.smitted the allotted proportion to the priests. Officers were appointed to distribute equal rations to all In the the midst of the land on which the (Holy) City was built. And that this is the correct meaning of the phrase is not only apparent from the force of circumstances, but is positively so declared in the Septuagint, where, moreover, it is called a ' river,' which, at least, implies a much larger stream than the Kedron, and comports well with the marginal reading, where it Is said to ' overflow through the midst of the land.' Previous to the interference of man, there was, no doubt, a very copious stream that gushed forth in the upper portion of that shallow, basinlike concavity north of Damascus Gate, which is unquestionably theupper extremity of the Gihon valley, and pursuing its meandering course through this valley, entered the Tyropoeon at its great southern curve, down wliich it flowed into the valley of the Kedron." [Barciay's City OF THE Great King.] 5, 6. he strengthened himself— he made a careful inspection of the city defences for the purpose of repairing breaches in the wall here, renewing the masonry there, raising projecting machines to the towers, and especially fortifying the lower portion of Zion, i. e., Millo, "(in) the original city of David." "In" cities of the priests who, from age or other reasons, could not repair to the temple. With the exception of children under three years of age—an exception made probably from their being considered unfit to receive solid food lists were kept of the number and age of every male; of priests according to their fathers' house, and Levites from twenty years (see Numbers 4.3; 28.24; 1 Chronicles
Zi.'24). But, besides, provision was also made for their wives, daughters, :ind servants. 18. for in tlieir set office they sanctified tliemsel-ves—This is the reason assigned for providing for the wives and children out of the revenues of the sanctuary, that priests, withflrawing from those secular phrsuits by which they might have maintained their households, devoted themselves entirely to the functions of the ministry.
20, 21. His Sincerity of Heart. 30. Hezekiah wrought that which was good and right—He displayed the qualities of a constitutional king, in restoring is a supplement of our translators, and the text reads better without it, for it was not the whole city that was repaired, but only the lower portion of Zion, or the original "city of David." he . . . gathered them together ... in the street i. e., the large open space at the gate of Eastern cities, and having equipped his soldiers with a full suit of military accoutrements, he addressed them la an animating strain, dwelling on the motives they had to inspire courage and confidence of success, especially on their consciousness of the favour and helping power of God. 9-30. (See on 2 Kings 18. 17-35; also 19. 8-34.) 18. they cried with a loud voice , , , to the people of .Terusalem . , . on the wall—It appears that the wall ou the west side of the city reached as far to the side of the uppermost pool of Gihon at that time as it does now, if not farther, and the wall was so close to that pool that those sent to negotiate with the Assyrian general auswered him in their own tongue (see ou 2 Kings 18. 27).
and upholding the ancient institutions of the kingdom, while his 7,ealous and persevering el Torts to promote the cause of true religion and the best interests of his subjects entitled him to be ranked with the most illustrious of his predecessors (2 Kings 18. 15).
CHAPTER XXXII.
Ver. l-2k Sennacherib Invades Judah. 1. After these tilings, and the establishment thereof—t. e., the restoration of the temple-worship. The precise date is given, 2 Kings 18. 1.3. Determined to recover the independence of his country, Hezekiah had determined to refuse to pay the tribute which his father had bound himself to pay to Assyria. Sennacherib . . . entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities—The
Hezekiali's Riches and Works. 2 CHRONICLES XXXIII. Manasseh Carried Captive to Babylon, erals, the chief of whom was Tartan (Isaiah 20. 1), with a portion of his army for tlie reduction of Judah also. In a successful attack upon Jerusalem, tliey took multitudes of captives, and got a great prize, including the king himself, among the prisoners, took Manasseh among the thorns—This may mean, as is commonly supposed, that he had hid himself among a thicket of briers and brambles, and we know that the Hebrews sometimes took refuge from their enemies in thickets (1 Samuel 13. 6). But, instead of the Hebrew, Bacochim, "among the thorns," some versions read Bechai/im, "among tlie living," and so the passage would be " took him alive." bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon —Tlie Hebrew word rendered fetters denotes properly two chains of brass. The humiliating state in whicli Manasseh appeared before the Assyrian monarch may be judgea of by a picture on a tablet in the Khorsabad palace, representing prisoners led bound into the king's presence. "The captives represented appear to be inliabitants of Palestine. Behind the prisoners stand four persons with inscriptions on the lower part of their tunics; the first two are bearded, and seem to be accusers; tiie remaining two are nearly defaced ; but behind the last appears the eunucli, whose office it seems to be to usher into the presence of the king those who are permitted to appear before him. He is followed by another person of the same race as tlio-t «')der punishment; liis hands are manacled, and on his aLklito are strong rings fastened together by a lieavy bar." [Nineveh and its Palaces.] No name is given, and, therefore, no conclusion can be drawn that the figure represents Manasseh ; but the people appear to be Hebrews, and this pictorial scene will enable us to imagine the manner in which tlie royal captive from Judali was received in the courtof Babylon. Esar-haddon had established his residence there, for though from tlie many revolts that followed the death of his fatlier, he succeeded at first only to the throne of Assyria, yet liaviiig some time previous to liis conquest of Judaii, recovered possession of Babylon, this enterprising king had united under liis sway the two empires of Babylon and Chaldea, and transferred the seat of his government to Babylon. 13, 13. when he was in aflllction, lie besouglit the I>ord his God—In tlie solitude of exile or imprisonment, Manasseh
21-23. An Angel Destroys the Assyrians. 81. nn angel . . . cut off all the mighty men—(see ou 2 Kings
24-26. Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery. 34. In those days Hezekiah was sick to tlie deatlk—(see ou 2 Kings 20. 1-11).
27-33. His Riches and Works, he had exceeding much riches and honour—(cf. 2 Kings 20. 13 ; Isaiah 39.
2). A great portion of his personal wealtli, like tliat of David and Uzziali, consisted in immense possessions of agricultural and pastoral produce. Besides, lie had accumulated large treasures in gold, silver, and precious things, wiiicli he had taken as spoils from tlie Pliilistines, and wliioh he liad received as presents from neighbouring states, amongst which he was held in great honour as a king under the special protection of Heaven. Much of his great wealth he expended in improving his capital, erecting forts, and promoting the internal benefit of iiis kingdom. 30. stopped the . . . water-course of Gilion, and brouglit it ... to the west side of tlie city, ttc.
(cf. 2 Kings 20. 20). Particular notice is here taken of the aqueduct, as amongst the greatest of Hezekiah's works. "In exploring the subterranean channel conveying the water from Virgin's Fount to Siloam, I discovered a similar channel entering from the north, a few yards from its commencement; and on tracing it up near the Mugrabin gate, wliere it became so choked with rul>bisli tliat it could be traversed no farther, I there found it turn to the west in the direction of the south end of the cleft, or saddle, of Zion, and if this channel was not constructed for the purpose of conveying tlie waters of Hezekiah's aqueduct, I am unable to suggest any purpose to wliicli itcould have been applied. Perhaps the reason why it was not brought down on the Zion side, was tliat Zion was already well watered in its lower portion by the Great Pool, 'tlie lower pool of Gihon.' And accordingly Williams (Holy City) renders tliis passage, ' He stopped the upper outflow of the waters of Gilion, and led tliem down westward to the city.'" [Barclay's City of the Great King.] The construction of this aqueduct required not only masonic but engineering skill; for the passage was bored througli a continuous mass of rock. Hezeltiali's pool or reservoir made to receive the water witliin tlie north-west part of tlie city still remains. It Is an oblong quadrangular tank, 240 feet in length, from 144 to loO In breadth, but, from recent excavations, appears to liave extended soniewliat fartlier towards the north. 31. in tlic business of tl»c ambassadors who sent ... to ii Kjuire of tite wonder that was done in the land, &c.—Tliey brouglit a present liad leisure for reflection. Tlie calamities forced upon iiim a review of his past life, und»r a conviction tliat the miseries of liis dethronement and captive condition were owing to liis awful and unprecedented apostasy (y. 7) from the God of his fathers. He linnil)led himself, repented, and prayed for an opportunity of bringing forth the fruits of repentance. His prayer was heard; for his coiiiineror notonly released him, but, after two years' exile, restored iiim, with honour and the full exercise of royal power, to a tributary and dependent kingdom. Some political motive, doubtless, prompted the Assyrian king to restore Manasseh, and that was most probalily to have the kingdom of Judah as a barrier between Ilgypt and his Assyrian dominions. . But God overruled this measure for liigher purposes. Manasseh now showed hinist'lf, by the liitliience of sanctified al Ulctioii, a lU'W and better man ; lor lie made ii complete reversal of his former policy, by not only destroying all the Idolatrous statues and altars he had formerly erected In Jerusalem, but displaying the most ardent zeal In restoring and encoiiraging the wor Khlgiof (iod. 14. he built a wall without tlieeily . . . on the west side of Glhon . . . even to the entering In nt tite llsli-gate—"Tlu well-ascertained position of llio
(v. 23) (see on 2 Kings 20. 12, 13), and a letter of congratulation on his recovery, in wliich particular inquiries wore made about the miracle of the sun's retrocession — a natural phenomenon tliat could not fail to excite great interest and curiosity at Babylon, where astronomy was so mucli studied. At the same time, there is reason to believe that they proposed a defensive league against the Assyrians. God left him, to try him, &c.—Hezekiali's oflfence was not so mucli in the display of his military Btores and treasures, as in not giving to God' tlie glory both of tlie miracle and of his recovery, and thus leading those heathen ambassadors to know Him.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Ver. 1-10. Manasseh's Wicked Reign, l, 3. Manasseh . . . did tliat which was evil in the sight t>f tlie Lord—(see on 2 Kings 21. l-Ki.)
fish -gale, shows that the valley of Gihon could lie no ot her than that leading north-west of Damascus gate, and gent ly descending southward, uniting with the Ty ropteon at the north-east corner of Mount Zion. wliere the latter
11-19. He is Carried unto Babylon, where he humbles Himself refore God, and is Restored to his Kingdom. 11.. the captains of tlie host of the king of Assyria—Tills king was Esar-liaddon, who, alter having devoted tlie first years of his reign to tlie eonsolldallon of his government at home, turned his attention to repair the loss of tlie tributary provinces west of the Kuphratcs, which, on tlie disaster and death of Seiinaclierib, had taken the opportunity of shaking off the Assyrian yoke. Having overrun Palestine and removed the remnant that were left In the kingdom of Israel, he despatclied his g(,'nt urns at rlgiit angles and runs towards Slloain. Tlie wall thus liuilt by Manasseli on the west side of the valley of tillion, wouUl extend from the vicinity of I he nortli-east corner of tlH> wall of Zion in a norllu rly dliectioti, until
It crossiicl over the valley to form ajuncl ion with the outer wall at the trencli of Anlonla, iiredsely In the quarter where tne temple would be most easily assailed." |I!arCLAY.] 17. (lie people dl<l saerlllee still in llie high