the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Filipino Cebuano Bible
2 Cronica 28:23
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from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
For he sacrificed: This passage, says Mr. Hallet, greatly surprised me; for the sacred historian is here represented as saying, "The gods of Damascus had smitten Ahaz." But it is impossible to suppose that an inspired author should say this; for the Scripture every where represents the heathen idols as nothing and vanity, and as incapable of doing either good or hurt. All difficulty is avoided if we follow the old Hebrew copies, from which the Greek translation was made: "And king Ahaz said, I will seek to the gods of Damascus which have smitten me." 2 Chronicles 25:14, 2 Kings 16:12, 2 Kings 16:13
Damascus: Heb. Darmesek
Because the gods: Habakkuk 1:11
sacrifice to them: Jeremiah 10:5, Jeremiah 44:15-18
But they were: Isaiah 1:28, Jeremiah 44:20-28, Hosea 13:9
Reciprocal: Judges 10:6 - Baalim 2 Kings 16:10 - saw an altar 2 Chronicles 21:2 - Israel 2 Chronicles 29:6 - For our fathers Job 35:10 - none Proverbs 13:6 - wickedness Proverbs 27:22 - General Isaiah 2:8 - is full Isaiah 17:1 - Damascus Isaiah 57:10 - There is Ezekiel 16:28 - General Micah 1:5 - they
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him,.... As he foolishly imagined, that they might do him no more hurt; as it is said of the Indians, that they worship the devil, that he may not hurt them; but that a king of Judah should do this is monstrous stupidity; rather therefore the meaning may be, that he worshipped the gods of those that smote him, those of the men or soldiers of Damascus m see 2 Chronicles 28:5 for the Spirit of God would never ascribe the smiting of him to idols, though he himself might;
and he said, because the gods of the kings of Syria help them; which looks as if this was before Damascus was taken by the king of Assyria, and when Rezin king of Syria prevailed over Ahaz:
therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me; against the Edomites and Philistines; wherefore rather to this, his idolatry, respect is had in 2 Chronicles 28:22,
but they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel; the worship of them was the cause of all the calamities that came upon that part of Israel of which he was king.
m So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
His adoption of the Syrian gods, Hadad, Rimmon, and others, as objects of worship, no doubt preceded the destruction of Damascus by the Assyrians 2 Kings 16:9.
Israel - i. e. “Judah;” so in 2 Chronicles 28:27. Compare 2 Chronicles 28:19.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Chronicles 28:23. He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him — "This passage," says Mr. Hallet, "greatly surprised me; for the sacred historian himself is here represented as saying, The gods of Damascus had smitten Ahaz. But it is impossible to suppose that an inspired author could say this; for the Scripture everywhere represents the heathen idols as nothing and vanity, and as incapable of doing either good or hurt. All difficulty is avoided if we follow the old Hebrew copies, from which the Greek translation was made, Και ειπεν ὁ βασιλεις Αχαζ, εκζητησω τους Θεους Δαμασκου τους τυπτοντας με, And King Ahaz SAID, I WILL SEEK TO THE GODS OF DAMASCUS WHICH HAVE SMITTEN ME; and then it follows, both in Hebrew and Greek, He said moreover, Because the gods of the king of Syria help them; therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. Both the Syriac and Arabic give it a similar turn; and say that Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, and said, Ye are my gods and my lords; you will I worship, and to you will I sacrifice."