Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 32

Verse 1

The establishment thereof - literally, “the faithfulness thereof” or, in other words, “after these things had been faithfully accomplished.”

2 Chronicles 32:1-8 form a passage supplementary to 2 Kings 18:13-16.

Verse 3

To stop the waters ... - Compare 2 Chronicles 32:30. Hezekiah’s object was probably twofold - to hide the springs outside the city in order to distress the Assyrians, and to convey their water underground into the city, in order to increase his own supply during the siege.

Verse 4

The “brook” intended is probably not the Kidron, but the natural water-course of the Gihon, which ran down the Tyropoeon valley (compare the 1 Kings 1:3 note).

Verse 5

The breaches in the wall of Jerusalem were not entirely due to the old hostility of Joash (marginal reference); but may have been caused either by neglect and carelessness in the reign of Ahaz 2 Chronicles 28:0, or by the simple process of natural decay. Hezekiah pulled down houses for the purpose of his repairs Isaiah 22:10.

On Millo, see the marginal references notes.

Verse 6

The street of the gate ... - Or, “the square at the gate” (compare 2 Chronicles 29:4 note). The gate intended is probably that of Ephraim 2 Chronicles 25:23 - the great northern gate, opposite the “Camp of the Assyrians “ - represented by the modern Damascus gate.

Verse 7

On the language, compare the marginal references, for details, see Isaiah 22:5-13; Isaiah 29:3.

Verse 8

The faith, which Hezekiah’s words express, presently wavered, died away, and was succeeded by despair and submission (compare 2 Kings 18:14-16 notes).

Verses 9-22

The author of Chronicles compresses into 13 verses the history which occupies in Kings a chapter and a half (2 Kings 18:17-19; where see the notes).

2 Chronicles 32:10

In the siege - Perhaps “in straitness” (compare Jeremiah 19:9). Jerusalem is thought by some to have been not so much besieged at this time, as distressed and straitened for supplies, because the Assyrians were masters of the open country.

2 Chronicles 32:13

fathers - i. e. “predecessors.” Sennacherib really belonged to a dynasty that had only furnished one king before himself.

2 Chronicles 32:22

Guided them ... - A slight alteration of the existing text gives the sense - “gave them rest round about;” a common expression in Chronicles 2 Chronicles 15:15; 2 Chronicles 20:30.

Verse 24

Compare 2 Kings 20:0 and notes. The “sign” is not (as in the margin) the miraculous cure, but the going back of the shadow on the dial of Ahaz (see 2 Chronicles 32:31).

Verse 25

His heart was lifted up - Compare the marginal reference. Hezekiah’s pride was shown in his unnecessarily exhibiting his treasures to the ambassadors from Babylon (see 2 Kings 20:13).

There was wrath upon him - Compare 2 Kings 20:17-18.

Verse 26

Hezekiah humbled himself - Perhaps this is the self-humiliation of which Jeremiah speaks (marginal reference) as following on a certain prophecy uttered by Micah. The prophecy Micah 3:12 is by some referred to the earlier part of the reign of Hezekiah; but there is nothing to show that it was not delivered about this time.

Verse 30

See 2 Chronicles 32:3 note. Either then or afterward, Hezekiah conducted the water of this spring by an underground channel down the Tyropoeon valley to a pool or reservoir (marginal reference).

Verse 32

And in the book - The “and” is not in the original. The meaning is, that the acts were recorded in the prophecy of Isaiah, which formed a part of the compilation known as “the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.” See Introduction.

Verse 33

The chiefest of the sepulchres - Most modern commentators render - “on the ascent to the sepulchres;” but some think that an excavation above all the other tombs - in the same repository, but at a higher level (see the margin) - is intended. The catacomb of David was full; and the later princes had sepulchres quite distinct from the old burial-place (see 2Ch 33:20; 2 Kings 21:18, 2 Kings 21:26; 2 Kings 23:30).