Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 32

Verses 1-33

Reign of Hezekiah (concluded)

This chapter abbreviates the account of Sennacherib’s invasion as related in 2 Kings 18:13; 2 Kings 20:21, but supplements it by various particulars respecting Hezekiah’s preparation to meet the attack.

3. To stop the waters, etc.] The chief spring which was thus stopped (or ’hidden’) was the fountain of Gihon: see 2 Chronicles 32:30.

4. The brook] lit. ’torrent-valley.’ The Gihon spring was in the ravine of the Kidron.

6. The street of the gate] RV ’the broad place at the gate’: where the people were wont to assemble.

9. After this] The Chronicler omits all account of the surrender of Hezekiah related in 2 Kings 18:14-16.

18. They cried] i.e. the ’servants’ of 2 Chronicles 32:16.

In the Jews’ speech] see 2 Kings 18:26.

22. Guided them] LXX has ’gave them rest,’ which suits the context better.

24. In those days] In 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 the writer summarises very briefly what is related at length in 2 Kings 20 Isaiah 38.

30. Brought it, etc.] better, ’stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon and brought them straight down’ (or, ’underground’) ’westward to the city of David.’ Gihon lay to the E. of Jerusalem, and Hezekiah conveyed its waters by a subterranean aqueduct to the pool of Siloam at the foot of the Temple hill.

31. The ambassadors] i.e. of Merodachbaladan, the king of Babylon: see 2 Kings 20:12.; Isaiah 39.

32. And in the book of the kings, etc.] The conjunction and should be omitted, the vision of Isaiah being incorporated in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel, like the ’book of Jehu the son of Hanani’: 2 Chronicles 20:34.

33. In the chiefest] RV ’in the ascent’: i.e. on the road that led up to the sepulchres.