Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 28

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 28:1, Ahaz reigning very wickedly, is greatly afflicted by the Syrians; 2 Chronicles 28:6, Judah being captivated by the Israelites, is sent home by the counsel of Oded the prophet; 2 Chronicles 28:16, Ahaz sending for aid to Assyria, is not helped thereby; 2 Chronicles 28:22, In his distress he grows more idolatrous; 2 Chronicles 28:26, He dying, Hezekiah succeeds him.

Verse 1

am 3262-3278, bc 742-726

Ahaz: 2 Kings 16:1, 2 Kings 16:2-20, 1 Chronicles 3:13, Isaiah 1:1, Isaiah 7:1-12, Hosea 1:1, Micah 1:1, Matthew 1:9

like David his father: 2 Chronicles 17:3

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:8 - my servant David 2 Kings 15:38 - Ahaz 2 Chronicles 29:2 - General

Verse 2

For he walked: 2 Chronicles 21:6, 2 Chronicles 22:3, 2 Chronicles 22:4, 1 Kings 16:31-33, 2 Kings 10:26-28

molten images: Exodus 34:17, Leviticus 19:4

Baalim: Judges 2:11, Judges 2:13, Hosea 2:13, Hosea 2:17

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:3 - he walked 2 Chronicles 29:6 - For our fathers 2 Chronicles 33:3 - he reared Isaiah 2:8 - is full Jeremiah 32:35 - they built Micah 1:5 - they

Verse 3

burnt incense: or, offered sacrifice

the valley: 2 Kings 23:10, Jeremiah 7:31, Jeremiah 7:32, Jeremiah 19:2-6, Jeremiah 19:13

burnt: 2 Chronicles 33:6, Leviticus 18:21, 2 Kings 16:3, Psalms 106:37, Psalms 106:38, Jeremiah 2:34, Jeremiah 32:35, Ezekiel 16:20, Ezekiel 16:21, Micah 6:7

after the abominations: 2 Chronicles 33:2, Deuteronomy 12:31

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:2 - giveth Deuteronomy 18:10 - maketh Joshua 15:8 - valley of the son Joshua 18:16 - the valley of the son 2 Kings 17:17 - they caused 2 Kings 21:6 - he made 2 Chronicles 28:25 - burn 2 Chronicles 36:14 - very much Isaiah 57:5 - slaying Jeremiah 19:5 - to burn Ezekiel 11:12 - but Ezekiel 20:26 - in that

Verse 4

Leviticus 26:30, Deuteronomy 12:2, Deuteronomy 12:3, 2 Kings 16:4

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:5 - in the open 1 Kings 14:23 - groves 2 Kings 15:30 - in the twentieth

Verse 5

his God: 2 Chronicles 36:5, Exodus 20:2, Exodus 20:3

delivered him: 2 Chronicles 24:24, 2 Chronicles 33:11, 2 Chronicles 36:17, Judges 2:14, 2 Kings 16:5, 2 Kings 16:6, Isaiah 7:1, Isaiah 7:6

Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:9 - General 1 Samuel 4:10 - a very great 2 Samuel 24:14 - let me not 2 Kings 16:9 - went up 2 Kings 17:20 - delivered 2 Kings 19:4 - the remnant 2 Chronicles 25:22 - put to the worse 2 Chronicles 28:9 - because the Lord God 2 Chronicles 28:10 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 29:9 - our fathers 2 Chronicles 33:12 - the Lord Psalms 50:7 - I am Isaiah 1:7 - country Isaiah 3:8 - Jerusalem Isaiah 5:13 - my people Isaiah 17:1 - Damascus Ezekiel 16:57 - reproach Hosea 10:11 - Judah Micah 2:8 - risen

Verse 6

Pekah: 2 Kings 15:27, 2 Kings 15:37, Isaiah 7:4, Isaiah 7:5, Isaiah 7:9, Isaiah 9:21

an hundred: 2 Chronicles 13:17

valiant men: Heb. sons of valour

because: 2 Chronicles 15:2, Deuteronomy 6:14, Deuteronomy 6:15, Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 29:24-26, Deuteronomy 31:16, Deuteronomy 31:17, Deuteronomy 32:20, Joshua 23:16, Joshua 24:20, Isaiah 1:28, Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 24:6, Jeremiah 2:19, Jeremiah 15:6

Reciprocal: Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred Judges 20:48 - smote them 1 Samuel 4:10 - a very great 2 Samuel 18:7 - twenty thousand men 1 Kings 20:29 - an hundred thousand 2 Kings 15:25 - Pekah 2 Kings 17:20 - delivered 2 Kings 19:4 - the remnant 2 Chronicles 25:22 - put to the worse 2 Chronicles 29:8 - he hath delivered 2 Chronicles 34:21 - that are left Proverbs 17:14 - beginning Isaiah 28:1 - whose Ezekiel 16:57 - reproach Amos 6:13 - Have Zephaniah 3:7 - howsoever

Verse 7

next to the king: Heb. the second to the king, Genesis 41:43, Genesis 43:12, Genesis 43:15, Esther 10:3

Verse 8

carried: Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 28:41

brethren: 2 Chronicles 11:4, Acts 7:26, Acts 13:26

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:9 - General Numbers 31:18 - keep alive for yourselves Judges 8:10 - fell an hundred 2 Kings 6:22 - wouldest Isaiah 14:17 - opened not the house of his prisoners Joel 3:3 - General Micah 2:8 - securely

Verse 9

he went out: 2 Chronicles 19:1, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 25:15, 2 Chronicles 25:16, 1 Kings 20:13, 1 Kings 20:22, 1 Kings 20:42, 2 Kings 20:14, 2 Kings 20:15

Behold: To this beautiful speech nothing can be added by the best comment: it is simple, humane, pious, and overwhelmingly convincing; and it is no wonder that it produced the effect here described. That there was much humanity, as well as firmness, in the heads of the children of Ephraim, who joined with the prophet of Jehovah on this occasion, their subsequent conduct, as detailed in the 2 Chronicles 28:15, sufficiently proves. They did not barely dismiss these most unfortunate captives, but they took that very spoil which their victorious army had taken, and with clothed, shod, fed, and anointed these distressed people, set the feeblest of them upon asses, and escorted them safely to Jericho! We can scarcely find a parallel to this in the universal history of the wars which savage man has carried on against his fellows from the foundation of the world. The compliance also of the whole army, in leaving both the captives and spoil to the disposal of the princes, was really wonderful, and perhaps unparalleled in history. Both the princes and army are worthy to be held up to the admiration and imitation of mankind.

because the Lord God: 2 Chronicles 28:5, Judges 3:8, Psalms 69:26, Isaiah 10:5-7, Isaiah 47:6, Jeremiah 15:17, Jeremiah 15:18, Ezekiel 25:12-17, Ezekiel 26:2, Ezekiel 26:3, Obadiah 1:10-16, Zechariah 1:15

reacheth: Genesis 4:10, Genesis 11:4, Ezra 9:6, Revelation 18:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:15 - The Lord 1 Kings 12:24 - Ye shall not go up 1 Chronicles 21:13 - but let me 2 Chronicles 11:4 - they obeyed Nehemiah 5:7 - I set a great assembly Jeremiah 51:9 - her judgment Daniel 4:22 - thy greatness Joel 3:3 - General Matthew 5:44 - General Matthew 7:3 - but

Verse 10

keep: Leviticus 25:39-46

not with: Jeremiah 25:29, Matthew 7:2-4, Romans 12:20, Romans 12:21, 1 Peter 4:17, 1 Peter 4:18

the Lord: 2 Chronicles 28:5

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:13 - an accursed Judges 20:21 - destroyed Nehemiah 1:6 - both I Jeremiah 34:14 - At the Matthew 7:3 - but

Verse 11

deliver: Isaiah 58:6, Jeremiah 34:14, Jeremiah 34:15, Hebrews 13:1-3

the fierce: Ezra 10:14, Matthew 5:7, Matthew 7:2, James 2:13

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:8 - the fierceness

Verse 12

the heads: 1 Chronicles 28:1

stood up: Jeremiah 26:6

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 28:15 - expressed by name Isaiah 7:2 - is confederate with Jeremiah 22:11 - Shallum

Verse 13

add more: Numbers 32:14, Joshua 22:17, Joshua 22:18, Matthew 23:32, Matthew 23:35, Romans 2:5

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:15 - General 1 Kings 12:24 - They hearkened 2 Chronicles 24:18 - wrath 2 Chronicles 30:8 - the fierceness Ezra 10:10 - to increase Job 36:13 - heap Hosea 13:2 - now

Verse 14

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:12 - We will restore

Verse 15

expressed by name: 2 Chronicles 28:12

clothed: Job 31:15-23, Isaiah 58:7, Matthew 25:35-45, Acts 9:39, 1 Timothy 5:10, James 2:15, James 2:16, 1 John 3:17, 1 John 3:18

gave them: 2 Kings 6:22, Proverbs 25:21, Proverbs 25:22, Luke 6:27, Luke 8:27, Luke 8:35, Romans 12:20, Romans 12:21

carried: Romans 15:1

the city: Deuteronomy 34:3, Judges 1:16

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:23 - he prepared 2 Chronicles 28:9 - Behold 2 Chronicles 31:19 - the men Nehemiah 5:12 - We will restore Job 31:19 - General

Verse 16

did king: 2 Kings 16:5-7, Isaiah 7:1-9, Isaiah 7:17

the kings: Instead of malchey, "kings," the Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, and Vulgate, one manuscript, and the parallel place, have mailech, "king.

Reciprocal: Judges 1:16 - city of palm 2 Kings 15:30 - in the twentieth Isaiah 1:7 - country Isaiah 33:1 - thee that Jeremiah 2:36 - as thou wast Ezekiel 23:12 - upon Hosea 5:10 - remove Hosea 5:13 - went

Verse 17

the Edomites: 2 Chronicles 25:11, 2 Chronicles 25:12, Leviticus 26:18, Obadiah 1:10, Obadiah 1:13, Obadiah 1:14

captives: Heb. a captivity

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:40 - that thou 2 Chronicles 29:9 - our fathers Ezekiel 25:12 - Because Joel 3:4 - and what Amos 1:11 - because

Verse 18

Philistines: Ezekiel 16:27, Ezekiel 16:57

Bethshemesh: Joshua 15:10, 1 Samuel 6:9

Ajalon: 2 Chronicles 11:10, Aijalon

Gederoth: Joshua 15:41

Shocho: Joshua 15:48, Socoh

Timnah: Judges 14:1, Timnath

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:1 - Shochoh 2 Kings 18:8 - the Philistines Isaiah 3:8 - Jerusalem Isaiah 9:12 - Syrians Isaiah 14:29 - because Ezekiel 25:12 - Because Ezekiel 25:15 - dealt Joel 3:4 - and what Amos 1:6 - Gaza

Verse 19

the Lord: Deuteronomy 28:43, 1 Samuel 2:7, Job 40:12, Psalms 106:41-43, Proverbs 29:23

because of Ahaz: Hosea 5:11, Micah 6:16

Israel: 2 Chronicles 21:2

made Judah: Genesis 3:7, Genesis 3:11, Exodus 32:25, Revelation 3:17, Revelation 3:18, Revelation 16:15

Reciprocal: Proverbs 29:18 - perish Isaiah 7:17 - bring upon Isaiah 37:4 - for the Lamentations 4:21 - and shalt Ezekiel 16:27 - daughters

Verse 20

am 3264, bc 740

Tilgathpilneser: 2 Kings 15:29, 2 Kings 16:7-10, Tiglath-pileser, 1 Chronicles 5:26, Hosea 5:13

distressed him: 2 Kings 17:5, Isaiah 7:20, Isaiah 30:3, Isaiah 30:16, Jeremiah 2:37

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:8 - the silver 2 Chronicles 30:6 - escaped Proverbs 25:19 - General Isaiah 10:20 - no more Isaiah 30:6 - riches Jeremiah 2:18 - or what hast Jeremiah 2:36 - as thou wast Jeremiah 50:17 - first Hosea 2:7 - she shall follow

Verse 21

took away: 2 Chronicles 12:9, 2 Kings 18:15, 2 Kings 18:16, Proverbs 20:25

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 15:29 - Tiglathpileser 2 Kings 16:8 - the silver 2 Chronicles 16:2 - brought out Proverbs 25:19 - General Isaiah 7:20 - shave Jeremiah 2:18 - or what hast Jeremiah 2:36 - as thou wast Hosea 5:13 - yet

Verse 22

in the: 2 Chronicles 33:12, Psalms 50:15, Isaiah 1:5, Ezekiel 21:13, Hosea 5:15, Revelation 16:9-11

this is: Esther 7:6, Psalms 52:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:9 - Even Exodus 9:34 - and hardened 1 Kings 21:1 - after 2 Kings 23:37 - all that 2 Chronicles 16:12 - in his disease 2 Chronicles 24:7 - that wicked 2 Chronicles 33:23 - trespassed more and more Job 15:26 - runneth Job 35:10 - none Job 36:13 - heap Proverbs 27:22 - General Isaiah 7:12 - I will not ask Isaiah 9:13 - the people Isaiah 57:10 - There is Jeremiah 2:25 - after Jeremiah 2:30 - In vain Jeremiah 5:3 - thou hast stricken Jeremiah 11:12 - go Jeremiah 32:3 - Zedekiah Ezekiel 22:24 - General Ezekiel 31:18 - This is Daniel 4:17 - the basest Amos 4:6 - yet Haggai 2:17 - yet Luke 15:15 - he went Luke 23:40 - seeing John 5:14 - lest Acts 7:37 - that Revelation 9:20 - yet

Verse 23

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

Verse 24

cut in pieces: 2 Kings 16:17, 2 Kings 16:18, 2 Kings 25:13-17

shut up: 2 Chronicles 29:3, 2 Chronicles 29:7

he made: 2 Chronicles 33:3-5, Jeremiah 2:28, Hosea 12:11, Acts 17:16, Acts 17:23

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 29:19 - all the vessels 2 Chronicles 30:14 - altars Nehemiah 6:10 - let us shut Ezekiel 16:16 - General

Verse 25

burn: or, offer, 2 Chronicles 28:3, *marg.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:12 - approached 2 Kings 17:11 - burnt Acts 22:14 - The God

Verse 26

the rest: 2 Chronicles 20:34, 2 Chronicles 27:7-9, 2 Kings 16:19, 2 Kings 16:20

Verse 27

am 3278, bc 726

they brought: 2 Chronicles 21:20, 2 Chronicles 26:23, 2 Chronicles 33:20, 1 Samuel 2:30, Proverbs 10:7

the kings of Israel: Or, "the kings of Judah;" the name Israel being sometimes applied by the writer of this book, in a general way, to Judah. The Hebrews were accustomed to honour the memory of those kings who had reigned well, by depositing their remains in the royal cemetery. On the contrary, those who died under the disapprobation of the people, as a mark of posthumous disgrace, were denied interment with their predecessors, and were buried in some other place in Jerusalem. So it was with Ahaz, who, though brought into the city, was not buried in the sepulchres of the kings of Judah. It was doubtless with a design to make a suitable impression on the minds of their kings while living, that such distinctions were observed. They might thus restrain them from evil, or excite them to good, according as they were fearful of being execrated, or desirous of being honoured, when dead.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:43 - buried 2 Kings 16:20 - buried 2 Kings 18:1 - Hezekiah 2 Kings 21:18 - and was buried 2 Chronicles 24:25 - not Nehemiah 2:3 - the place Isaiah 14:28 - General Matthew 1:9 - Ezekias