Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 16

Introduction

2 Chronicles 16:1-6 correspond with 1 Kings 15:17-22, where see notes. On the date six and thirtieth year, see note on 2 Chronicles 15:19.

Verse 7

7. Hanani the seer See note on 1 Kings 16:1. This prophet and his son Jehu (compare 1 Chronicles 19:2) were noted for uttering oracles of rebuke and judgment. They boldly stood up before kings to admonish them of their sins, and to proclaim the threatened judgments of the Almighty.

Therefore is the host… of Syria escaped out of thine hand Thus the prophet implies that had Asa assumed the defensive, and fought against Baasha and Ben-hadad, the Syrian host would, like the Egyptian under Zerah, have fallen into his hands.

Verse 10

10. Asa was wroth with the seer Alas, that he whose heart had been encouraged by the words of Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:8,) could not endure the words of Hanani!

A prison house Hebrews, a house of the stocks. Gesenius defines the word rendered stocks “a wooden frame, in which the feet, hands, and neck of a person were so fastened that his body was held bent.” Very different was Rehoboam’s action when the prophet Shemaiah rebuked him and threatened judgment. 2 Chronicles 12:5-6.

Asa oppressed some of the people the same time For doubtless some of the people sympathized with Hanani, and were greatly dissatisfied with the king’s measures; for many would clearly see that his league with Syria against Israel would in turn give Ben-hadad an advantage over the kingdom of Judah which might in time become disastrous. Asa attempted to suppress the discontent of the people by oppression.

Verse 12

12. Diseased in his feet Perhaps the gout. See note on 1 Kings 15:23.

Yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord in his disease, as in war with Baasha, he sought other counsellors than the prophets of Jehovah.

Verse 14

14. Buried him in his own sepulchres He for some reason had had private tombs excavated in Jerusalem for himself and family, so that, apparently by his own desire, he was not buried in the tombs of the kings of Judah.

Laid him in the bed The niche or grave-chamber of the tomb which had been prepared for the king.

Sweet odours and divers kinds of spices The use of large quantities of perfumes and spices, especially at the burial of distinguished persons, was common among the ancient Israelites, as well as among other nations. Eighty pounds of spices are said to have been used at the funeral of Rabbi Gamaliel. At the funeral of Herod the Great five hundred servants attended as spice bearers. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus gave a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes for the burial of Jesus. See John 19:39, note.

A very great burning Not the burning of the dead body, for that practice was very rare in Israel, but a burning of fragrant spices, which was customary at the funerals of kings. Asa’s funeral was distinguished by the unusually large quantity of spices burned on the occasion.