The Second Book of the KINGS, commonly called The Fourth Book of the KINGS

  CHAP. 1

  Moab rebels, 1. Ahaziah, sending to Baal-zebub, hath his judgment by Elijah, 2–4. Elijah twice brings fire from heaven upon them whom Ahaziah sent to apprehend him, 5–12. He pities the third captain, and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death, 13–16. Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah, 17, 18.

1 Moab. Nu. 24:17. 2 Sa. 8:2. 1 Ch. 18:2. Ps. 60:8. after the. ch. 3:4, 5; 8:20, 22.
2 a lattice. The flat roofs of the eastern houses are generally surrounded by a parapet wall breast high; but, instead of this, some terraces are guarded with balustrades only, or latticed work. Of the same kind, probably, was the lattice, or net, as the term shevacha seems to import, through which Ahaziah fell into the court. This incident proves the necessity of the law for the formation of battlements for the roof, (De. 22:8,) which God graciously dictated from Sinai, which furnishes a beautiful example of his paternal care and goodness; for the terrace was a place where many offices of the family were performed, and business frequently transacted. Ju. 5:28. Ca. 2:9. Ac. 20:9. was sick. 1 Ki. 22:34, marg. 2 Ch. 21:14, 15. Job 31:3. Baal-zebub. ver. 3, 6, 16. Mat. 10:25; 12:24–27. Mar. 3:22. Lu. 11:15, Beelzebub. god. Ju. 11:24. 1 Sa. 5:10. 1 Ki. 11:33. Is. 37:12, 19. whether. ch. 8:7–10. 1 Ki. 14:3.
3 angel. ver. 15. 1 Ki. 19:5, 7. Ac. 8:26; 12:7–11. Elijah. ver. 8. 1 Ki. 17:1. Arise. 1 Ki. 18:1. it. ver. 6, 16; ch. 5:8, 15. 1 Sa. 17:46. 1 Ki. 18:36. Ps. 76:1. ye go. Je. 2:11–13. Jon. 2:8. Mar. 3:22.
4 Thou shalt. etc. Heb. The bed whither thon art gone up, thou shalt not come down from it. but shalt. Ge. 2:17; 3:4. Nu. 26:65. 1 Sa. 28:19. 1 Ki. 14:12. Pr. 11:19; 14:32. Eze. 18:4.
6 Thus saith. Is. 41:22, 23. therefore. ver. 3, 4. 1 Ch. 10:13, 14. Ps. 16:4.
7 What manner of man was he? Heb. What was the manner of the man? Ju. 8:18. 1 Sa. 28:14.
8 an hairy man. That is, he wore a rough garment, either made of camels’ hair, as that of John the Baptist, or of a skin, dressed with the hair on. Sir J. CHARDIN informs us, in a MS. note on this place, cited by Mr. HARMER, that the eastern dervishes and fakeers are clothed just as Elijah was, with a hairy garment, girded with a leathern girdle. Is. 20:2. Zec. 13:4. Mat. 3:4; 11:8. Lu. 1:17. Re. 11:3.
9 sent unto. ch. 6:13, 14. 1 Ki. 18:4, 10; 19:2; 22:8, 26, 27. Mat. 14:3. he sat. 1 Ki. 18:42. Lu. 6:11, 12. Thou man. Am. 7:12. Mat. 26:68; 27:29, 41–43. Mar. 15:29, 32. He. 11:36.
10 If I be a man. ch. 2:23, 24. Nu. 16:28–30. 1 Ki. 18:36–38; 22:28. 2 Ch. 36:16. Ps. 105:15. Mat. 21:41; 23:34–37. Ac. 5:3–10. let fire. Or, rather, as the original literally imports, and the LXX. render, καταβησεται πυρ, fire SHALL come down; Elijah’s words being simply declarative, and not imprecatory. Nu. 11:1; 16:35. Job 1:16. Ps. 106:18. Lu. 9:54. He. 12:29. Re. 11:5. consumed. Da. 3:22, 25; 6:24. Ac. 12:19.
11 Again. Nu. 16:41. 1 Sa. 6:9. Is. 26:11. Je. 5:8. Jno. 18:5–12. Ac. 4:16, 17. O man. 1 Sa. 22:17–19. Pr. 29:12. Is. 32:7. Mat. 2:16. Lu. 22:63, 64.
12 See on ver. 9, 10.
13 he sent again. Job 15:25, 26. Pr. 27:22. Ec. 9, 3. Is. 1:5. fell on. Heb. bowed. Is. 66:2. besought. Ex. 11:8. Nu. 12:11–13. 1 Ki. 13:6. Is. 60:14. Re. 3:9. O man of God. Ps. 102:17. Ja. 4:7.
14 Behold. ver. 10, 11. let my life. 1 Sa. 26:21, 24. Ps. 49:8; 72:14; 116:15. Pr. 6:26. Mat. 16:25, 26. Ac. 20:24.
15 be not afraid of him. Ge. 15:1. 1 Ki. 18:15. Ps. 27:1. Is. 51:12, 13. Je. 1:17; 15:20. Eze. 2:6. Mat. 10:28. He. 11:27.
16 Forasmuch. See on ver. 3, 4, 6. Ex. 4:22, 23. 1 Ki. 14:6–13; 21:18–24; 22:28. Baal-zebub. Literally, ‘the lord of flies;’ or, as the LXX. render, Βααλ μυιαν θεον, Baal the fly god. See Note on Ex. 8:24. on which thou art gone up. In the East there is usually at the end of each chamber a little gallery, raised three or four feet above the floor, with a balustrade in front, to which they go up by a few steps: here they place their beds; an allusion to which situation is involved in this declaration of Elijah’s, and frequently referred to in the Sacred Scriptures: see Ge. 49:4. Ps. 132:3.
17 Jehoram. As it is said in ch. 3:1, that he began his reign in the eighteenth of Jehoshaphat, it is supposed that Jehoshaphat admitted his son Jehoram to reign with him eight or nine years before his death. ‘The second year that Jehoram was Prorex, and the eighteenth of Jehoshaphat.’ in the second. ch. 3:1; 8:16, 17. 1 Ki. 22:51.
18 in the book. See on 1 Ki. 14:19; 22:39.


  CHAP. 2

  Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan, 1–8; and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven, 9–11. Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah’s mantle, is acknowledged his successor, 12–15. The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him, 16–18. Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters, 19–22. Bears destroy the children that mocked Elisha, 23–25.

1 take up. Ge. 5:24. 1 Ki. 19:4. Lu. 9:51. Ac. 1:9. He. 11:5. Re. 11:12. by a whirlwind. 1 Ki. 18:12; 19:11. Job 38:1. Elisha. 1 Ki. 19:16–21. Gilgal. Jos. 4:19; 5:9.
2 Tarry here. Ru. 1:15, 16. 2 Sa. 15:19, 20. Jno. 6:67, 68. As the Lord. ver. 4, 6; ch. 4:30. 1 Sa. 1:26; 17:55; 25:26. Je. 4:2. I will not. Ru. 1:16–18. 2 Sa. 15:21. 1 Jno. 2:19. Beth-el. Ge. 28:19. 1 Ki. 12:29, 33; 13:1, 2.
3 And the sons. ver. 5, 7, 15; ch. 4:1, 38; 9:1. 1 Sa. 10:10–12; 19:20. 1 Ki. 18:4; 20:35. Is. 8:18. thy master. De. 33:3. Ac. 22:3.
4 Jericho. Jos. 6:26. 1 Ki. 16:34. Lu. 19:1. As the Lord. ver. 2; ch. 4:30. Ac. 2:42; 11:23.
5 the sons. i.e. as the Targumist renders, talmeedey neveeya, ‘disciples of the prophets.’ thy master. See on ver. 3. Jos. 1:1, 2. Lu. 24:51. Jno. 17:5–7. Ac. 1:2, 11; 20:25. Yea, I know it. Ge. 48:19. Ec. 3:7. Is. 41:1. Hab. 2:20.
7 fifty men. ver. 17. 1 Ki. 18:4, 13. to view afar off. Heb. in sight, or over against.
8 his mantle. Την μηλωτην αυτου, his sheep skin, says the Septuagint; the skins of sheep being formerly worn by prophets as the simple insignia of their office: see Note on ch. 1:8. 1 Ki. 19:13, 19. were. ver. 14. Ex. 14:21, 22. Jos. 3:14–17. Ps. 114:5–7. Is. 11:15. He. 11:29. Re. 16:12.
9 Ask what. ch. 13:14–19. Nu. 27:16–23. De. 34:9. 1 Ch. 29:18, 19. Ps. 72:1, 20. Lu. 24:45–51. Jno. 17:9–13. Ac. 1:8; 8:17; 20:25–36. Elisha said. Nu. 11:17, 25. 1 Ki. 3:9. 2 Ch. 1:9, 10. Jno. 14:12–14; 16:7. 1 Co. 12:31. a double portion. This probably refers to the law respecting the firstborn, who had a double portion of the property of his father. As Elisha may have considered himself as the first-born of Elijah, so he requested a double portion of his spiritual influence. Nu. 27:20. De. 21:17. Zec. 9:12; 12:8. 1 Ti. 5:17.
10 Thou hast. Mar. 11:22–24. Jno. 16:24. asked a hard thing. Heb. done hard in asking. if thou see. ver. 12. Ac. 1:9, 10.
11 ch. 6:17. Ps. 68:17; 104:3, 4. Eze. 1:4, etc.; 10:9, etc. Hab. 3:8. Zec. 6:1–8. He. 1:14. by a whirlwind. See on ver. 1. into heaven. Mar. 16:19.
12 saw it. ver. 10. My father. ch. 13:14. Job 22:30. Pr. 11:11. Ec. 7:19; 9:16–18. Is. 37:4, 15, 21. Ac. 27:24. he saw him. Pr. 30:4. Mar. 16:19. Lu. 2:15; 24:51. Jno. 3:13. Ac. 1:9. 2 Co. 5:2, 4. Ep. 4:8. Re. 11:12. rent them. Job 1:20, 21. Is. 57:1, 2. Ac. 8:2.
13 the mantle. ver. 8. 1 Ki. 19:19. bank. Heb. lip. 1 Ki. 9:26.
14 smote. See on ver. 8–10. Jos. 1:1–9. Mar. 16:20. Jno. 14:12. Ac. 2:33; 3:12, 13. Where is. Ju. 6:13. 1 Ki. 18:36–39. Ps. 42:2, 10; 115:2. Joel 2:17.
15 to view. See on ver. 7. The spirit. Nu. 11:25–29; 27:20. Jos. 3:7. Is. 11:2; 59:21. Jno. 15:26, 27. Ac. 1:8. 2 Co. 12:9. 1 Pe. 4:14. bowed. ver. 19; ch. 4:1–4, 37; 6:1–7. Jos. 4:14.
16 strong men. Heb. sons of strength. the Spirit. 1 Ki. 18:12. Eze. 3:14; 8:3; 11:24; 40:2. Ac. 8:39. 2 Co. 12:2, 3. some mountain. Heb. one of the mountains.
17 they urged. 2 Sa. 18:22, 23. Lu. 11:8. Ro. 10:2. found him not. He. 11:5.
19 my Lord seeth. Nu. 12:11. 1 Ki. 18:7, 13. 1 Ti. 5:17. the water. Ex. 7:19; 15:23. Jos. 6:17, 26. 1 Ki. 16:34. barren. Heb. causing to miscarry. Ex. 23:26. De. 28:2–4, 11, 15–18. Ho. 9:14.
20 salt therein. Ju. 9:45. Eze. 47:11. Zep. 2:9.
21 cast. ch. 4:41; 6:6. Ex. 15:25, 26. Le. 2:13. Mat. 5:11. Mar. 9:50. Jno. 9:6. I have healed. Eze. 47:8–11. 1 Co. 1:18–28. Re. 22:2, 3. there shall. Ps. 107:33–38. Re. 21:4.
23 Beth-el. 1 Ki. 12:28–32. Ho. 4:15; 10:5, 15. Am. 3:14; 4:4; 5:5; 7:13. little children. The words nëârim ketannim not only signify little children, but young men; for katon signifies not only little, but young, in opposition to old; and näâr signifies not only a child, but a young man, grown to years of maturity: thus Isaac is called näâr when twenty-eight years old, Joseph when thirty-nine, and Rehoboam when forty. These idolatrous young men, having heard of the ascension of Elijah, without believing it, blasphemously bade Elisha follow him. The venerable prophet, from a Divine impulse, pronounced a curse ‘in the name of the Lord,’ which was immediately followed by the most terrible judgment; thus evincing the Source from which it flowed. Job 19:18; 30:1, 8, etc. Pr. 20:11; 22:6, 15. Ec. 11:10. Is. 1:4; 3:5. Je. 7:18. mocked. Ge. 21:9. 2 Ch. 36:16. Job 30:1, 8, 9. Ps. 35:15. Is. 57:3, 4. Ga. 4:29. He. 11:36. Go up. ver. 11. Mat. 27:29–31, 40–43.
24 cursed them. ch. 1:10–12. Ge. 9:25. De. 28:15–26. Ju. 9:20, 57. Je. 28:16; 29:21–23. La. 3:65. Am. 7:17. Mar. 11:14, 21. Ac. 5:5, 9; 8:20; 13:9–11. 2 Co. 10:6. she bears. 2 Sa. 17:8. Pr. 17:12; 28:15. Ho. 13:8. children of them. Ex. 20:5. 1 Ki. 13:24; 19:17; 20:36.
25 mount Carmel. ch. 4:25. 1 Ki. 18:19, 42.


  CHAP. 3

  Jehoram’s reign, 1–3. Mesha rebels, 4, 5. Jehoram, with Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of water, by Elisha obtains water, and promise of victory, 6–20. The Moabites, deceived by the colour of the water, coming to spoil, are overcome, 21–25. The king of Moab, failing in his attempt to break through to the king of Edom, sacrifices his son, and raises the siege, 26, 27.

1 Jehoram. ch. 1:17; 8:16, Joram. 1 Ki. 22:51.
2 wrought. ch. 6:31, 32; 21:6, 20. See on 1 Sa. 15:19. 1 Ki. 16:19. but not. 1 Ki. 16:33; 21:20, 25. and like. ch. 9:22, 34. 1 Ki. 21:5–15, 25. image. Heb. statue. Baal. ch. 10:18, 26–28. 1 Ki. 16:31, 32.
3 he cleaved. ch. 10:20–31. See on 1 Ki. 12:28–33. which made. See on 1 Ki. 14:16; 15:26, 34; 16:31. he departed. ch. 13:2, 6, 11; 14:24; 15:9, 18; 17:22. 1 Ki. 12:26–28; 13:33. 1 Co. 1:19, 20.
4 a sheepmaster. Ge. 13:2; 26:13, 14. 2 Ch. 26:10. Job 1:3; 42:12. rendered. 2 Sa. 8:2. 1 Ch. 18:2. Ps. 60:8; 108:9, 10. lambs. Is. 16:1.
5 See on ch. 1:1; 8:20. 2 Ch. 21:8–10.
6 A.M. 3109. B.C. 895. numbered. 1 Sa. 11:8; 15:4. 2 Sa. 24:1, etc. 1 Ki. 20:27.
7 wilt thou go. See on 1 Ki. 22:4, 32, 33. 2 Ch. 18:3, 29–32; 19:2; 21:4–7; 22:3, 4, 10–12.
8 the wilderness of Edom. The wilderness of Edom was probably the same as that of Zin or Kadesh, through which the children of Israel passed; extending southward from the Dead Sea, to the eastern branch of the Red Sea. See Note on Nu. 13:21. Nu. 21:4. Mal. 1:2, 3.
9 Edom. See on 1 Ki. 22:47. no water. Ex. 15:22; 17:1. Nu. 20:2, 4; 21:5; 33:14. that followed them. Heb. at their feet. Ex. 11:8, marg. Ju. 4:10.
10 the Lord. ch. 6:33. Ge. 4:13. Ps. 78:34–36. Pr. 19:3. Is. 8:21; 51:20.
11 Is there not here. See on 1 Ki. 22:7. Ps. 74:9. Am. 3:7. that we may. ver. 1, 3. Jos. 9:14. Jn. 20:8–11, 18, 23, 26–28. 1 Ch. 10:13; 14:10, 14; 15:13. poured water. That is, was his constant and confidential servant. Mr. HANWAY, speaking of a Persian supper, says, ‘Supper being now brought in, a servant presented a basin of water, and a napkin hung over his shoulders; he went to every one in the company, and poured water on their hands to wash.’ Ge. 18:4. Jos. 1:1. 1 Ki. 19:21. Lu. 22:26, 27. Jno. 13:4, 5, 13, 14. 1 Ti. 5:10. Phi. 2:22.
12 The word. ch. 2:14, 15, 21, 24. 1 Sa. 3:19–21. Israel. ch. 2:25; 5:8, 9, 15. Is. 49:23; 60:14. Re. 3:9.
13 What. Eze. 14:3–5. Mat. 8:29. Jno. 2:4. 2 Co. 5:16; 6:15. get. Ju. 10:14. Ru. 1:15. Pr. 1:28. Je. 2:27, 28. the prophets. 1 Ki. 18:19; 22:6, 10, 11, 22–25. Nay. See on ver. 10. De. 32:37–39. Ho. 6:1.
14 As the Lord. ch. 5:16. 1 Ki. 17:1; 18:15. I regard. 2 Ch. 17:3–9; 19:3, 4. Ps. 15:4. I would not look. 1 Sa. 15:26–31. 1 Ki. 14:5, etc.; 21:20. Je. 1:18. Da. 5:17–23. Mat. 22:16.
15 bring me. This was evidently intended to soothe and tranquillize the prophet’s mind, which had been agitated and discomposed with holy indignation by the presence of the idolatrous king, and the recollection of his abomination. The soothing influence of music is generally acknowledged in every civilized nation. 1 Sa. 10:5; 16:23; 18:10. 1 Ch. 25:2, 3. Ep. 5:18, 19. the hand. 1 Ki. 18:46. Eze. 1:3; 3:14, 22; 8:1. Ac. 11:21.
16 Make this valley. ch. 4:3. Nu. 21:8, 16–18.
17 Ye shall not. 1 Ki. 18:36–39. Ps. 84:6; 107:35. Is. 41:17, 18; 43:19, 20; 48:21. that ye may. Ex. 17:6. Nu. 20:8–11.
18 And this. 1 Ki. 3:13. Je. 32:17, 27. Lu. 1:37. Ep. 3:20. a light. ch. 20:10. 1 Ki. 16:31. Is. 7:13; 49:6. Eze. 8:17. he will. 1 Ki. 20:13, 28. Is. 7:1–9.
19 And ye. ch. 13:17. Nu. 24:17. Ju. 6:16. 1 Sa. 15:3; 23:2. fell. De. 20:19, 20. mar. Heb. grieve. ver. 25.
20 when the meat. Ex. 29:39, 40. 1 Ki. 18:36. Da. 9:21. there came water. This supply was altogether miraculous; for there was neither wind nor rain, nor any other natural means to furnish it. filled. See on Ps. 78:15, 16, 20. Is. 35:6, 7.
21 gathered. Heb. were cried together. put on armour. Heb. gird himself with a girdle. 1 Ki. 20:11. Ep. 6:14.
23 This is blood. ch. 6:18–20; 7:6. slain. Heb. destroyed. now therefore. Ex. 15:9. Ju. 5:30. 2 Ch. 20:25. Is. 10:14.
24 smote the. Jos. 8:20–22. Ju. 20:40–46. 1 Th. 5:3, 4. went forward. or, smote in it even.
25 beat down. ver. 19. Ju. 9:45. 2 Sa. 8:2. Is. 37:26, 27. stopped. Ge. 26:15, 18. 2 Ch. 32:4. and felled. De. 20:19, 20. only in, etc. Heb. until he left the stones thereof in Kir-haraseth. Kir-haraseth. Supposed to be the same as Ar, or Areopolis, the capital of Moab. See on De. 2:9. Is. 16:7, 11. Je. 48:31, 36, Kir-heres.
26 unto the king of Edom. ver. 9. Am. 2:1.
27 offered him. In cases of great extremity, it was customary in various heathen nations, to offer human sacrifices, and even their own children. This was frequent among the Phœnicians, Greeks, Romans, Scythians, Gauls, Africans, and others; and was the natural fruit of a religious system, which had for the objects of its worship cruel and merciless divinities. The king of Moab, in this case, sacrificed his son to obtain the favour of Chemosh his god, who, being a devil, delighted in blood and murder, and the destruction of mankind. The dearer any thing was to them, the more acceptable those idolaters thought the sacrifice, and therefore burnt their children in the fire to their honour. Ge. 22:2, 13. De. 12:31. Ju. 11:31, 39. Ps. 106:37, 38. Eze. 16:20. Mi. 6:7. they departed. 1 Sa. 14:36–46. 1 Ki. 20:13, 28, 43.


  CHAP. 4

  Elisha multiplies the widow’s oil, 1–7. He obtains a son for the good Shunammite, 8–17. He restores her son when dead, 18–37. At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage, 38–41. He satisfies an hundred men with twenty loaves, 42–44.

1 A.M. 3110. B.C. 894. sons. ver. 38. See on ch. 2:3, 5. 1 Ki. 20:35. thy servant did fear. Ge. 22:12. 1 Ki. 18:3. Ne. 7:2. Ps. 103:11, 17; 112:1, 2; 115:13; 147:11. Ec. 8:12; 12:13. Mal. 3:16; 4:2. Ac. 13:26. Re. 15:4; 19:5. the creditor. Le. 25:39, 40, 48. Ne. 5:2–5; 10:31. Je. 34:14. Mat. 18:25, 30, 35. Ja. 2:13.
2 What shall I. ch. 2:9; 6:26, 27. Mat. 15:34. Jno. 6:5–7. Ac. 3:6. 2 Co. 6:10. save a pot of oil. 1 Ki. 17:12. Ja. 2:5.
3 empty vessels. ch. 3:16. Jno. 2:7. borrow not a few. Heb. scant not. ch. 13:18, 19. Ps. 81:10. Jno. 16:24.
4 thou shalt shut. ver. 32, 33. 1 Ki. 17:19, 20. Is. 26:20. Mat. 6:6. Mar. 5:40. Ac. 9:40. and shalt pour. Mar. 6:37–44; 8:5–9. Jno. 2:7–9; 6:11. Ep. 3:20.
5 she went. ch. 5:11. 1 Ki. 17:15, 16. Lu. 1:45. He. 11:7, 8.
6 when the vessels. ver. 43, 44. Mat. 9:29; 13:58; 14:20; 15:37. Lu. 6:19. 2 Ch. 6:12, 13. And the oil. ch. 13:19. Jos. 5:12. 1 Ki. 17:14. Jno. 6:12.
7 pay. Ps. 37:21. Ro. 12:17. Phi. 4:8. 1 Th. 2:9, 10; 4:12. 2 Th. 3:7–12. debt. or, creditor.
8 it fell on. Heb. there was. ver. 11, 18. Shunem. This city was situated in the tribe of Issachar, five miles south from mount Tabor, according to EUSEBIUS; and is probably the place which he calls Sanim, in Acrabatene, in the neighbourhood of Samaria or Sebaste. ver. 12. Jos. 19:18. 1 Sa. 28:4. 1 Ki. 1:3. a great woman. 2 Sa. 19:32. Job 1:3; 32:9. Lu. 1:15. she constrained him. Heb. she laid hold on him. Ge. 19:3. Ju. 19:20. Pr. 7:21. Lu. 14:23; 24:29. Ac. 16:15.
9 she said. Pr. 31:10, 11. 1 Pe. 3:1. this is. Mat. 5:16. 1 Th. 2:10. Tit. 1:8. 2 Pe. 1:21; 3:2. man of God. See on De. 33:1. 1 Ki. 13:1; 17:18, 24. 1 Ti. 6:11.
10 Let us. Is. 32:8. Mat. 10:41, 42; 25:40. Mar. 9:41. Lu. 8:3. Ro. 12:13. He. 10:24; 13:2. 1 Pe. 4:9, 10. a little chamber. An âleeyah, or oleäh, as the Arabs call it; a small back house annexed to the principal dwelling, in which the prophet could live in as great privacy as in his own house, and to which he could retire at pleasure, without breaking in upon the private affairs of the family, or being in his turn interrupted by them in his devotions. See the Note on Ju. 3:20. 1 Ki. 17:19.
12 Gehazi. ver. 29–31; ch. 5:20–27; 8:4, 5. servant. ch. 3:11. 1 Ki. 18:43; 19:3. Ac. 13:5.
13 thou hast. Mat. 10:40–42. Lu. 9:3–5. Ro. 16:2, 6. Phi. 4:18, 19. 1 Th. 5:12, 13. 2 Ti. 1:16–18. He. 6:10. to the king. ch. 3:15–18; 8:3–6. Ge. 14:24. 2 Sa. 19:32–38. to the captain. ch. 9:5. 2 Sa. 19:13. 1 Ki. 2:32. I dwell. 1 Ti. 6:6–8. He. 13:5. among mine. ch. 8:1. Ru. 1:1–4. Ps. 37:3.
14 she hath no child. Ge. 15:2, 3; 17:17; 18:10–14; 25:21; 30:1. Ju. 13:2. 1 Sa. 1:2, 8. Lu. 1:7.
16 About this. Ge. 17:21; 18:10, 14. season. Heb. set time. thou shalt. Ge. 17:16, 17. Lu. 1:13, 30, 31. my lord. See on ch. 2:19. do not lie. ver. 28; ch. 5:10, 11. Ge. 18:12–15. 1 Ki. 17:18; 18:9. Ps. 116:11. Lu. 1:18–20.
17 Ge. 21:1. 1 Sa. 1:19, 20. Ps. 113:9. Lu. 1:24, 25, 36. He. 11:11.
18 to the reapers. Ru. 2:4.
19 My head. From this peculiar exclamation, and the season of the year, it is probable he was affected by the coup de soleil, or stroke of the sun, which is by no means uncommon in hot climates, and often proves fatal. Job 14:1, 2. Je. 4:19.
20 his mother. Is. 49:15; 66:13. Lu. 7:12. and then died. Ge. 22:2; 37:3, 5. 1 Ki. 17:17. Eze. 24:16–18. Lu. 2:35. Jno. 11:3, 5, 14.
21 the bed. ver. 10. 1 Ki. 17:19.
22 I may run. ver. 24, 26. Jno. 11:3. Ac. 9:38.
23 new moon. Nu. 10:10; 28:11. 1 Ch. 23:31. Is. 1:13–15. well. Heb. peace. ver. 26.
24 Then she. Ex. 4:20. 1 Sa. 25:20. 1 Ki. 13:13, 23. an ass. These animals were not anciently, as now, used only by the lower classes, but were in general use among the noble and chief personages of the East, and it was not unusual for even the husband to walk by the side of his wife while thus riding; the driver, as was the custom, following. The Shunammite, when she went to the prophet, did not desire so much attendance; but only requested her husband to send her an ass and its driver. Drive. 1 Sa. 25:19. slack not thy riding for me. Heb. restrain not for me to ride.
25 to mount. ch. 2:25. 1 Ki. 18:19, 42. Is. 35:2.
26 Run now. Zec. 2:4. Is it well with thee. Ge. 29:6; 37:14. 1 Sa. 17:18. Mat. 10:12, 13. Ac. 15:36. It is well. ver. 23. Le. 10:3. 1 Sa. 3:18. Job 1:21, 22. Ps. 39:9.
27 him by the feet. Heb. by his feet. Mat. 28:9. Lu. 7:38. thrust. Mat. 15:23; 20:31. Mar. 10:13. Jno. 4:27; 12:4–6. Let her alone. Mar. 14:6. Jno. 12:7. vexed. Heb. bitter. 1 Sa. 1:10. Job 10:1. Pr. 14:10; 18:14. hid it from me. ch. 6:12. Ge. 18:17. 2 Sa. 7:3. Am. 3:7. Jno. 15:15.
28 Did I desire. Ge. 30:1. Do not. See on ver. 16.
29 Gird up thy loins. ch. 9:1. 1 Ki. 18:46. Ep. 6:14. 1 Pe. 1:13. take my. ch. 2:14. Ex. 4:17. salute him not. Lu. 10:4. lay my staff. ch. 2:8, 14. Ex. 7:19, 20; 14:16. Jos. 6:4, 5. Ac. 3:16; 19:12.
30 As the Lord. See on ch. 2:2, 4. I will not. Ex. 33:12–16. Ru. 1:16–18.
31 neither voice. 1 Sa. 14:37; 28:6. Eze. 14:3. Mat. 17:16–21. Mar. 9:19–29. Ac. 19:13–17. hearing. Heb. attention. 1 Ki. 18:26, 29. not awaked. Job 14:12. Da. 12:2. Mar. 5:39. Jno. 11:11, 43, 44. Ep. 5:14.
32 the child. 1 Ki. 17:17. Lu. 8:52, 53. Jno. 11:17.
33 shut the door. ver. 4. Mat. 6:6. prayed. ch. 5:11; 6:17, 18, 20. 1 Ki. 17:20, 21; 18:26, 27. Jno. 11:41, 42. Ac. 9:40. Ja. 5:13–18.
34 1 Ki. 17:21. Ac. 20:10.
35 to and fro. Heb. once hither and once thither. and the child opened. ch. 8:1, 5; 13:21. 1 Ki. 17:22. Lu. 7:14, 15; 8:55. Jno. 11:43, 44. Ac. 9:40.
36 Call this Shunammite. ver. 12. Take up. 1 Ki. 17:23. Lu. 7:15. He. 11:35.
37 fell at his feet. ver. 27; ch. 2:15. 1 Ki. 17:24.
38 Elisha. ch. 2:1. 1 Sa. 7:16, 17. Ac. 10:38; 15:36. a dearth. ch. 8:1. Le. 26:26. De. 28:22–24, 38–40. 2 Sa. 21:1. Je. 14:1–6. Eze. 14:13. Lu. 4:25. the sons. ch. 2:3. 1 Sa. 19:20. were sitting. Pr. 8:34. Lu. 2:46; 8:35, 38; 10:39. Ac. 22:3. Set on the great pot. Mar. 6:37; 8:2–6. Lu. 9:13. Jno. 21:5, 9.
39 a wild vine. Is. 5:4. Je. 2:21. Mat. 15:13. He. 12:15. wild gourds. The word pakküôth, from peka, in Chaldee, to burst, and in Syriac, to crack, thunder, is generally supposed to be the fruits of the coloquintida, or colocynth; whose leaves are large, placed alternately, very much like those of the vine, whence it might be called a wild vine: the flowers are white, and the fruit of the gourd kind, of the size of a large apple, and when ripe, of a yellow colour, and a pleasant and inviting appearance. It ranks among vegetable poisons, as all intense bitters do; but, judiciously employed, it is of considerable use in medicine. It is said that the fruit, when ripe, is so full of wind that it bursts, and throws its liquor and seeds to a great distance: and if touched, before it breaks of itself, it flies open with an explosion, and discharges its fœtid contents in the face of him who touched it.
40 O thou. ver. 9; ch. 1:9, 11, 13. De. 33:1. 1 Ki. 17:18. death. Ex. 10:17; 15:23. Mar. 16:18.
41 he cast. ch. 2:21; 5:10; 6:6. Ex. 15:25. Jno. 9:6. 1 Co. 1:25. there. Ac. 28:5. harm. Heb. evil thing.
42 Baal-shalisha. 1 Sa. 9:4, 7. bread. ver. 38. Ex. 23:16. De. 12:6; 26:2–10. 1 Sa. 9:7. 2 Ch. 11:13, 14. Pr. 3:9, 10. 1 Co. 9:11. Ga. 6:6. of barley. ch. 7:1, 16–18. De. 8:8; 32:14. Jno. 6:9, 13. the husk thereof. or, his scrip, or garment. Note: Parched corn, or corn to be parched; full ears before they are ripe, parched on the fire: a very frequent food in the East. The loaves were probably extremely small, as their loaves of bread still are in eastern countries. But small as this may appear, it would be a considerable present in the time of famine; though very inadequate to the number of persons. Baal-shalisha, of which the person who made this seasonable present was an inhabitant, was situated, according to EUSEBIUS and JEROME, fifteen miles north of Diospolis, or Lydda.
43 his servitor. See on ver. 12. What. Mat. 14:16, 17; 15:33, 34. Mar. 6:37–39; 8:4. Lu. 9:13. Jno. 6:9. They shall eat. Mat. 14:20; 15:37; 16:8–10. Mar. 6:42, 43; 8:20. Lu. 9:17. Jno. 6:11–13.


  CHAP. 5

  Naaman, by the report of a captive maid, is sent to Samaria to be cured of his leprosy, 1–7. Elisha, sending him to Jordan cures him, 8–14. He refusing Naaman’s gifts grants him some of the earth, 15–19. Gehazi, abusing his master’s name unto Naaman, is smitten with leprosy, 20–27.

1 A.M. 3110. B.C. 894. Naaman. Lu. 4:27. a great. ch. 4:8. Ex. 11:3. Es. 9:4; 10:3. with. Heb. before. honourable. or, gracious. Heb. lifted up, or accepted in countenance. by him. Pr. 21:31. Is. 10:5, 6. Je. 27:5, 6. De. 2:37. Jno. 19:11. Ro. 15:18. deliverance. or, victory. a leper. ver. 27; ch. 7:3. Le. 13:2, 3, 44–46. Nu. 12:10–12. 2 Sa. 3:29. 2 Ch. 26:19–23. 2 Co. 12:7.
2 by companies. ch. 6:23; 13:20. Ju. 9:34. 1 Sa. 13:17, 18. waited on. Heb. was before. Ps. 123:2.
3 Would God. Nu. 11:29. Ac. 26:29. 1 Co. 4:8. with. Heb. before. he would. ver. 8. Mat. 8:2, 3; 11:5. Lu. 17:12–14. recover him of. Heb. gather in.
4 and told his lord. ch. 7:9–11. Mar. 5:19; 16:9, 10. Jno. 1:42–46; 4:28, 29. 1 Co. 1:26, 27.
5 Go to, go. Ge. 11:3, 7. Ec. 2:1. Is. 5:5. Ja. 4:13; 5:1. and took. ch. 8:8, 9. Nu. 22:7, 17, 18; 24:11–13. 1 Sa. 9:8. 1 Ki. 13:7; 22:3. Ac. 8:18–20. with him. Heb. in his hand. ten talents of silver. This, at 353l. 11s. 10½d. the talent, would amount to 3535l. 18s. 9d. six thousand. If shekels are meant, as the Arabic reads, then this, at 1l. 16s. 5d. each, will amount to 10,925l.; and the whole to 14,464l. 18s. 9d.; besides the value of the ten changes of raiment. ten changes. Ge. 45:22 Ju. 14:12. Ja. 5:2, 3.
7 that he rent. ch. 11:14; 18:37; 19:1. Nu. 14:6. Je. 36:24. Mat. 26:65. Ac. 14:14. Am I God. Ge. 30:2. De. 32:39. 1 Sa. 2:6. Da. 2:11. Ho. 6:1. see how. 1 Ki. 20:7. Lu. 11:54.
8 rent his clothes. ver. 7. 2 Sa. 3:31. let him come. ver. 3, 15; ch. 1:6. 1 Ki. 17:24; 18:36, 37. and he shall. Ex. 11:8. Ro. 11:13. Eze. 2:5. Ho. 12:13.
9 ch. 3:12; 6:32. Is. 60:14. Ac. 16:29, 30, 37–39.
10 sent a messenger. Mat. 15:23–26. wash. ch. 2:21; 3:16; 4:41. Jno. 9:7. 1 Co. 6:11. seven times. Le. 14:7, 16, 51; 16:14, 19. Nu. 19:4, 19. Jos. 6:4, 13–16. thy flesh. ver. 14. Ex. 4:6, 7.
11 Naaman. Pr. 13:10. Mat. 8:8; 15:27. Lu. 14:11. went away. Pr. 1:32. Mat. 19:22. Jno. 6:66–69; 13:20. He. 12:25. Behold. Pr. 3:7. Is. 55:8, 9. Jno. 4:48. 1 Co. 1:21–25; 2:14–16; 3:18–20. I thought, etc. Heb. I said, etc. or, I said with myself, He will surely come out, etc. strike. Heb. move up and down.
12 Abana and Pharpar. or, Amana. This river is evidently the Barrada, or Barda, as the Arabic renders, the Chrysorrhoas of the Greeks, which taking its rise in Antilibanus, runs eastward towards Damascus, where it is divided into three streams, one of which passes through the city, and the other two through the gardens; which reuniting at the east of the city, forms a lake about five or six leagues to the south-east, called Behairat el Marj, or, Lake of the Meadow. Pharpar was probably one of the branches. better. ver. 17; ch. 2:8, 14. Jos. 3:15–17. Eze. 47:1–8. Zec. 13:1; 14:8. Mar. 1:9.
13 his servants. ver. 3. 1 Sa. 25:14–17. 1 Ki. 20:23, 31. Job 32:8, 9. Je. 38:7–10. My father. ch. 2:12; 6:21; 13:14. Ge. 41:43. Mal. 1:6. Mat. 23:9. 1 Co. 4:15. how much rather. 1 Co. 1:21, 27. Wash. See on ver. 10. Ps. 51:2, 7. Is. 1:16. Jno. 13:8. Ac. 22:16. Ep. 5:26, 27. Tit. 3:5. He. 10:22. 1 Pe. 3:21. Re. 7:14.
14 went he down. Job 31:13. Pr. 9:9; 25:11, 12. Eze. 47:1–9. Zec. 13:1; 14:8. according to. 2 Ch. 20:20. Jno. 2:5. He. 11:7, 8. his flesh. ver. 10. Job 33:25. and he was clean. Lu. 4:27; 5:13. Tit. 2:14.
15 he returned. Lu. 17:15–18. now I know. ver. 8. Jos. 2:9–11; 9:9, 24. 1 Sa. 17:46, 47. 1 Ki. 18:36. Is. 43:10, 11; 44:6, 8; 45:6. Je. 10:10, 11; 16:19–21. Da. 2:47; 3:29; 4:34; 6:26, 27. Ro. 10:10. a blessing. Ge. 33:11. 1 Sa. 25:27. 2 Co. 9:5.
16 As the Lord. See on ch. 3:14. 1 Ki. 17:1; 18:15. I will receive. ver. 20, 26. Ge. 14:22, 23. 1 Ki. 13:8. Da. 5:17. Mat. 10:8. Ac. 8:18–20; 20:33–35. 1 Co. 6:12; 10:32, 33. 2 Co. 11:9, 10; 12:14.
17 of earth. ver. 12. Ro. 14:1. will henceforth. Ac. 26:18. 1 Th. 1:9. 1 Pe. 4:3.
18 and he leaneth. This verse should probably, as many learned men have supposed, be read in the past, and not in the future tense; ‘In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master went into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaned on my hand, and I worshipped in the house of Rimmon; in that I have worshipped in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.’ Rimmon is supposed by SELDEN to be the same with Elion, a god of the Phœnicians, borrowed undoubtedly from the Elyon of the Hebrews, one of the names of God. ch. 7:2, 17. and I bow. ch. 17:35. Ex. 20:5. 1 Ki. 19:18. the Lord pardon. 2 Ch. 30:18, 19. Je. 50:20.
19 he said. Mat. 9:16, 17. Jno. 16:12. 1 Co. 3:2. He. 5:13, 14. Go in peace. Ex. 4:18. 1 Sa. 1:17; 25:35. Mar. 5:34. Lu. 7:50; 8:48. little way. Heb. a little piece of ground. Ge. 35:16, marg.
20 Gehazi. ch. 4:12, 31, 36. Mat. 10:4. Jno. 6:70; 12:6; 13:2. Ac. 8:18, 19. my master. Pr. 26:16. Lu. 16:8. Jno. 12:5, 6. Ac. 5:2. as the Lord liveth. ch. 6:31. Ex. 20:7. 1 Sa. 14:39. and take. Ex. 20:17. Ps. 10:3. Je. 22:17. Hab. 2:9. Lu. 12:15. 1 Ti. 6:9–11. 2 Ti. 4:10. Tit. 1:7. 1 Pe. 5:2. 2 Pe. 2:14, 15.
21 he lighted. Lu. 7:6, 7. Ac. 8:31; 10:25, 26. Is all well. Heb. Is there peace? ch. 4:26; 9:17–22.
22 My master. 1 Ki. 13:18. Is. 59:3. Je. 9:3, 5. Jno. 8:44. Ac. 5:3, 4. Re. 21:8. the sons. See on ch. 2:3. 1 Ki. 20:35. give them. 2 Co. 12:16–18. a talent. See on ver. 5. Ex. 38:24–28. 1 Ki. 20:39.
23 Be content. 1 Ki. 20:7. Lu. 11:54. And he urged him. ver. 16; ch. 2:17. bound. ch. 12:10. marg. and they bare. Is. 30:6.
24 tower. or, secret place. and bestowed. Jos. 7:1, 11, 12, 21. 1 Ki. 21:16. Is. 29:15. Hab. 2:6 Zec. 5:3, 4.
25 stood before. Pr. 30:20. Eze. 33:31. Mat. 26:15, 16, 21–25. Jno. 13:2, 26–30. Whence. ch. 20:14. Ge. 3:8, 9; 4:9; 16:8. Thy servant. ver. 22. Ac. 5:3, 4. no whither. Heb. not hither or thither.
26 he said. Ps. 63:11. Pr. 12:19, 22. Ac. 5:9. Went. ch. 6:12. 1 Co. 5:3. Col. 2:5. Is it a time. ver. 16. Ge. 14:23. Ec. 3:1–8. Mat. 10:8. Ac. 20:33, 35. 1 Co. 9:11, 12. 2 Co. 11:8–12. 2 Th. 3:8, 9.
27 leprosy. See on ver. 1. Jos. 7:25. Is. 59:2, 3. Ho. 10:13. Mal. 2:3, 4, 8, 9. Mat. 27:3–5. Ac. 5:5, 10; 8:20. 1 Ti. 6:10. 2 Pe. 2:3. unto thy seed. 1 Sa. 2:30–36. 2 Sa. 3:29. a leper. ch. 15:5. Ex. 4:6. Nu. 12:10.


  CHAP. 6

  Elisha, giving leave to the young prophets to enlarge their dwellings, causes iron to swim, 1–7. He discloses the king of Syria’s counsel, 8–12. The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is smitten with blindness, 13–18. Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace, 19–23. The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children, 24–29. The king sends to slay Elisha, 30–33.

1 the sons. See on ch. 2:3; 4:1. 1 Ki. 20:35. the place. ch. 4:38. 1 Sa. 19:20. too strait for us. Jos. 17:14; 19:47. Job 36:16. Is. 49:19, 20; 54:2, 3.
2 and take thence. Jno. 21:3. Ac. 18:3; 20:34, 35. 1 Co. 9:6. 1 Th. 2:9. 2 Th. 3:8. 1 Ti. 6:6.
3 Be content. ch. 5:23. Ju. 19:6. Job 6:28. go with thy. Ju. 4:8.
4 they cut down wood. De. 19:5; 29:11.
5 ax head. Heb. iron. Ec. 10:10. Is. 10:34. Alas, master. ver. 15; ch. 3:10. Re. 18:10, 16, 19. for it was borrowed. ch. 4:7. Ex. 22:14, 15. Ps. 37:21.
6 he cut down. This could have no natural tendency to raise the iron and to cause it to swim: it was only a sign, or ceremony, which the prophet chose to employ on the occasion. ch. 2:21; 4:41. Ex. 15:25. Mar. 7:33, 34; 8:23–25. Jno. 9:6, 7. the iron. This was a real miracle; for the gravity of the metal must otherwise still have kept it at the bottom of the river.
7 Take it up. ch. 4:7, 36. Lu. 7:15. Ac. 9:41. put out. Ex. 4:4.
8 the king. ver. 24. 1 Ki. 20:1, 34; 22:31. took. 1 Ki. 20:23. Job 5:12, 13. Pr. 20:18; 21:30. Is. 7:5–7; 8:10. camp. or, encamping.
9 Beware. ch. 3:17–19. 1 Ki. 20:13, 28. thither the Syrians. ch. 4:27. Am. 3:7. Re. 1:1.
10 sent to the place. To see if it were so. But the Vulgate renders, misit rex Israel ad locum, et præoccupavit eum; ‘the king of Israel sent to the place, and pre-occupied it;’ which is very likely, though not expressed in the Hebrew text. ch. 5:14. Ex. 9:20, 21. 1 Ki. 20:15. Pr. 27:12. Mat. 24:15–17. warned him. Eze. 3:18–21. Mat. 2:12; 3:7. He. 11:7. saved. ch. 2:12; 13:14. 2 Ch. 20:20. Am. 7:1–6. Ac. 27:24.
11 Therefore. 1 Sa. 28:21. Job 18:7–11. Ps. 48:4, 5. Is. 57:20, 21. Mat. 2:3, etc. Will ye not. 1 Sa. 22:8.
12 None. Heb. No. Elisha. ch. 5:3, 8, 13–15. Am. 3:7. telleth. See on ver. 9, 10. Is. 29:15. Je. 23:23, 24. Da. 2:22, 23, 28–30, 47; 4:9–18. thy bed chamber. Ps. 139:1–4. Ec. 10:20.
13 spy where. 1 Sa. 23:22, 23. Ps. 10:8–10; 37:12–14, 32, 33. Je. 36:26. Mat. 2:4–8. Jno. 11:47–53. Ac. 23:12–27. Dothan. This is supposed to be the same place where Joseph was sold by his brethren; and it is placed by EUSEBIUS 12 miles north of Samaria. Ge. 37:17.
14 sent he thither horses. It is strange the Syrian monarch did not think, that he who could penetrate his secrets with respect to the Israelitish army, could inform himself of all the machinations against his own life. ch. 1:9–13. 1 Sa. 23:26; 24:2. Mat. 26:47, 55. Jno. 18:3–6. great. Heb. heavy, ch. 18:17, marg.
15 servant. or, minister. See on ch. 3:11; 5:20, 27. Ex. 24:13. 1 Ki. 19:21. Mat. 20:26–28. Ac. 13:5. Alas. ver. 5. 2 Ch. 20:12. Ps. 53:5. Mat. 8:26.
16 Fear not. Ex. 14:13. Ps. 3:6; 11:1; 27:3; 118:11, 12. Is. 8:12, 13; 41:10–14. Mar. 16:6. Ac. 18:9, 10. Phi. 1:28. they that be. 2 Ch. 16:9; 32:7, 8. Ps. 46:7, 11; 55:18. Is. 8:10. Mat. 26:53. Ro. 8:31. 1 Jno. 4:4.
17 prayed. Ps. 91:15. Ja. 5:16–18. open his eyes. ver. 18–20. Ps. 119:18. Is. 42:7. Ac. 26:18. Ep. 1:18. Re. 3:7. full of horses, ch. 2:11. Ps. 34:7; 68:17; 91:11; 104:3. Eze. 1:13–16. Zec. 1:8; 6:1–7. Mat. 26:53. He. 1:14. Re. 19:11, 14.
18 Smite this people. Confound their sight, so that they may not know what they see; and so mistake one place for another. The word sanverim, rendered blindness, occurs only here and in Ge. 19:11, on which see the Note. De. 28:28. Job 5:14. Zec. 12:4. Jno. 9:39; 12:40. Ac. 13:11. Ro. 11:7.
19 follow me. Heb. come ye after me. Mat. 16:24. Mar. 8:34. Lu. 9:23. I will bring. 2 Sa. 16:18, 19. Lu. 24:16.
20 open the eyes. See on ver. 17. Lu. 24:31. opened. Ju. 20:40–42. Lu. 16:23.
21 My father. This was dastardly: the utmost he ought to have done with these men, when thus brought into his hand, was to make them prisoners of war. ch. 2:12; 5:13; 8:9; 13:14. shall. 1 Sa. 24:4, 19; 26:8. Lu. 9:54–56; 22:49.
22 wouldest. De. 20:11–16. 2 Ch. 28:8–13. thy sword. Ge. 48:22. Jos. 24:12. Ps. 44:6. Ho. 1:7; 2:18. set bread. Pr. 25:21, 22. Mat. 5:44. Ro. 12:20, 21.
23 he prepared. 1 Sa. 24:17, 18. 2 Ch. 28:15. Pr. 25:21, 22. Mat. 5:47. Lu. 6:35; 10:29–37. So the bands. That is, for a considerable time. What is mentioned in the next verse was more than a year afterwards. See on ver. 8, 9; ch. 5:2; 24:2.
24 gathered. ch. 17:5; 18:9; 25:1. De. 28:52. 1 Ki. 20:1; 22:31. Ec. 9:14.
25 a great famine. ver. 28, 29; ch. 7:4; 25:3. Le. 26:26, 32. 1 Ki. 18:2. Je. 14:13–15, 18; 32:24; 52:6. an ass’s head. If the pieces of silver were drachms, the whole would amount to about 2l. 9s.; which was a great price for so mean a part of this unclean animal. Eze. 4:13–16. dove’s dung. This probably denotes, as BOCHART, SCHEUCHZER, and others suppose, a kind of pulse, or vetches, which the Arabs still call pigeon’s dung. ‘They never,’ says Dr. SHAW, ‘constitute a dish by themselves, but are strewed singly as a garnish over cuscasowe, pillowe, and other dishes. They are besides in the greatest repute after they are parched in pans and ovens; then assuming the name leblebby;’ and he thinks they were so called from being pointed at one end, and acquiring an ash colour in parching.
26 Help, my lord. 2 Sa. 14:4. Is. 10:3. Lu. 18:3. Ac. 21:28.
27 If the Lord, etc. or, Let not the Lord save thee. whence. Ps. 60:11; 62:8; 118:8, 9; 124:1–3; 127:1; 146:3. Is. 2:22. Je. 17:5.
28 What aileth thee. Ge. 21:17. Ju. 18:23. 1 Sa. 1:8. 2 Sa. 14:5. Ps. 114:5. Is. 22:1. Give thy son. Le. 26:29. De. 28:53–57. Is. 9:20, 21; 49:15. La. 4:10. Eze. 5:10. Mat. 24:18–21. Lu. 23:29.
29 next. Heb. other. she hath hid. 1 Ki. 3:26. Is. 49:15; 66:13.
30 he rent his clothes. ch. 5:7; 19:1. 1 Ki. 21:27. Is. 58:5–7.
31 God do so. Ru. 1:17. 1 Sa. 3:17; 14:44; 25:22. 2 Sa. 3:9, 35; 19:13. 1 Ki. 2:23. if the head. 1 Ki. 18:17; 19:2; 22:8. Je. 37:15, 16; 38:4. Jno. 11:50. Ac. 23:12, 13.
32 the elders. Eze. 8:1; 14:1; 20:1; 33:31. ere the messenger. ver. 12; ch. 5:26. See ye how. Lu. 13:32. son of a murderer. 1 Ki. 18:4, 13, 14; 21:10. the sound. 1 Ki. 14:6.
33 this evil is of the Lord. Ge. 4:13. Ex. 16:6–8. 1 Sa. 28:6–8; 31:4. Job 1:11, 21; 2:5, 9. Pr. 19:3. Is. 8:21. Je. 2:25. Eze. 33:10. Mat. 27:4, 5. 2 Co. 2:7, 11. Re. 16:9–11. wait for the. Ps. 27:14; 37:7, 9; 62:5. Is. 8:17; 26:3; 50:10. La. 3:25, 26. Hab. 2:3. Lu. 18:1.


  CHAP. 7

  Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria, 1, 2. Four lepers, venturing on the host of the Syrians, bring tidings of their flight, 3–11. The king, finding by spies the news to be true, spoils the tents of the Syrians, 12–16. The lord who would not believe the prophecy of plenty, having the charge of the gate, is trodden to death in the press, 17–20.

1 Elisha said. See on ch. 6:33; 20:16. 1 Ki. 22:19. Is. 1:10. Eze. 37:4. To-morrow. ver. 18, 19. Ex. 8:23; 9:5, 6; 14:13; 16:12. Jos. 3:5. 1 Sa. 11:9. Ps. 46:5. a measure of fine flour. A seah of flour; the seah was about two gallons and a half; the shekel 2s. 4d. at the lowest computation: a wide difference between this and the price of the ass’s head. ch. 6:25. Re. 6:6. of barley. ch. 4:42. Jno. 6:9. in the gate of Samaria. From this it appears that the gates were not only used as courts of judicature, but as market-places. So Mr. MORIER observes: ‘In our rides we usually went out of the town at the Derwazeh Shah Abdul Azeem, or the gate leading to the village of Shah Abdul Azeem, where a market was held every morning, particularly of horses, mules, asses, and camels. At about sun-rise, the owners of the animals assemble and exhibit them for sale. But besides, here were sellers of all sorts of goods, in temporary shops and tents: and this, perhaps, will explain the custom alluded to in 2 Ki. 7:18.’
2 a lord, etc. or, a lord which belonged to the king, leaning on his hand. ch. 5:18. if the Lord. Ge. 18:12–14. Nu. 11:21–23. Ps. 78:19–21, 41. windows. Ge. 7:11. Mal. 3:10. thou shalt see it. ver. 17–20. De. 3:27. 2 Ch. 20:20. Is. 7:9. Ro. 3:3. 2 Ti. 2:13. He. 3:17–19.
3 four leprous. See on ch. 5:1; 8:4. Le. 13:46. Nu. 5:2–4; 12:14. Why. ver. 4. Je. 8:14; 27:13.
4 we will enter. Je. 14:18. let us fall. 1 Ch. 12:19. Je. 37:13, 14. if they save us. Es. 4:16. Je. 8:14. Jon. 3:9. Lu. 15:17–19. we shall but die. 2 Sa. 14:14. He. 9:27.
5 in the twilight. 1 Sa. 30:17. Eze. 12:6, 7, 12. behold. Le. 27:8, 26. De. 28:7; 32:25, 30.
6 the Lord. ch. 3:22, 23, etc.; 19:7. 2 Sa. 5:24. Job 15:21. Ps. 14:5. Je. 20:3, 4. Eze. 10:5. Re. 6:15, 16; 9:9. the kings of the Hittites. 1 Ki. 10:29. the kings of the Egyptians. 2 Ch. 12:2, 3. Is. 31:1; 36:9.
7 they arose. Job 18:11. Ps. 48:4–6; 68:12. Pr. 21:1; 28:1. Je. 48:8, 9. their horses. Ps. 20:7, 8; 33:17. Am. 2:14–16. and fled for their life. Nu. 35:11, 12. Pr. 6:5. Is. 2:20. Mat. 24:16–18. He. 6:18.
8 hid it. ch. 5:24. Jos. 7:21. Je. 41:8. Mat. 13:44; 25:18.
9 they said one. ver. 3. Hag. 1:4, 5. this day. ver. 6. Is. 41:27; 52:7. Na. 1:15. Lu. 2:10. Phi. 2:4. some mischief will come upon us. Heb. we shall find punishment. ch. 5:26, 27. Nu. 32:23. Pr. 24:16.
10 the porter. ver. 11. 2 Sa. 18:26. Ps. 127:1. Mar. 13:34, 35. no man there. See on ver. 6, 7.
12 unto his servants. ch. 6:8. Ge. 20:8; 41:38. 1 Ki. 20:7, 23. I will now. ver. 1; ch. 5:7. They know that we be hungry. This was a very natural conclusion; and, in the history of the revolt of Ali Bey, we have an account of a stratagem very similar to that supposed to have been practised by the Syrians. The pasha of Damascus having approached the Sea of Tiberias, found sheik Daher encamped there; but the sheik, deferring the engagement till the next morning, during the night divided his army into three parts, and left the camp with great fires blazing, all sorts of provisions, and a large quantity of spirituous liqours. In the middle of the night the pasha, thinking to surprise the sheik, marched in silence to the camp, which, to his astonishment, he found entirely abandoned; and imagining the sheik had fled with so much precipitation that he could not carry off his baggage and stores, he stopped in the camp to refresh his soldiers. They soon fell to plunder, and drank so freely of the spirits, that, overcome with its fumes, they sunk into a deep lethargy. At that time, two sheiks came silently to the camp, and being rejoined by Daher, rushed upon the sleeping foe, 8000 of whom were slain; the pasha and a few soldiers barely escaping with their lives. ch. 6:25–29. hide themselves. Jos. 8:4–12. Ju. 20:29–37.
13 one. See on ch. 5:13. in the city. Heb. in it. they are even. ver. 4; ch. 6:33. Je. 14:18. La. 4:9.
15 vessels. Es. 1:7. Is. 22:24. had cast away. Job 2:4. Is. 2:20; 10:3; 31:7. Eze. 18:31. Mat. 16:26; 24:16–18. Phi. 3:7, 8. He. 12:1.
16 spoiled the tents. 1 Sa. 17:53. 2 Ch. 14:12–15; 20:25. Job 27:16, 17. Ps. 68:12. Is. 33:1, 4, 23. according to. ver. 1. Nu. 23:19. Is. 44:26. Mat. 24:35.
17 the lord. See on ver. 2. the people trode upon him. ch. 9:33. Ju. 20:43. Is. 25:10. Mi. 7:10. He. 10:29.
18 as the man. See on ver. 1, 2; ch. 6:32. Ge. 18:14.
20 Nu. 20:12. 2 Ch. 20:20. Job 20:23. Is. 7:9. Je. 17:5, 6. He. 3:18, 19.


  CHAP. 8

  The Shunammite, having left her country seven years, to avoid the forewarned famine, for Elisha’s miracle’s sake has her land restored by the king, 1–6. Hazael, being sent with a present by Bed-hadad to Elisha at Damascus, after he had heard the prophecy, kills his master, and succeeds him, 7–15. Jehoram’s wicked reign in Judah, 16–19. Edom and Libnah revolt, 20–22. Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram, 23, 24. Ahaziah’s wicked reign, 25–27. He visits Joram, being wounded, at Jezreel, 28, 29.

1 A.M. 3113. B.C. 891. whose son. See on ch. 4:18, 31–35. sojourn. Ge. 12:10; 26:1; 47:4. Ru. 1:1. the Lord. Ge. 41:25, 28, 32. Le. 26:19, 20, 26. De. 28:22–24, 38–40. 1 Ki. 17:1; 18:2. Ps. 105:16; 107:34. Hag. 1:11. Lu. 21:11, 22. Ac. 11:28. called for a famine. Je. 25:29. seven years. Ge. 41:27. 2 Sa. 21:1; 24:13. Lu. 4:25.
2 with. 1 Ti. 5:8. land. Ju. 3:3. 1 Sa. 27:1–3.
3 A.M. 3119. B.C. 885. ver. 6; ch. 4:13; 6:26. 2 Sa. 14:4. Ps. 82:3, 4. Je. 22:16. Lu. 18:3–5.
4 the king. As it appears not likely that the king would hold conversation with a leprous man; or, that, knowing Gehazi had been dismissed with the highest disgrace from the prophet’s service, he would talk with him concerning his late master; some have supposed that this happened before the cleansing of Naaman. But it agrees better with the chronology to consider it as having taken place after that event; the king, probably, having an insatiable curiosity to know the private history of a man who had done such astonishing things. As to the circumstance of Gehazi’s disease, he might overlook that and converse with him, keeping at a reasonable distance, as nothing but actual contact could defile. Gehazi. ch. 5:20–27; 7:3, 10. Tell. Mat. 2:8. Lu. 9:9; 23:8. Jno. 9:27. Ac. 24:24. all the great. ch. 2:14, 20–22, 24; 3:14–16; 4:3–6, 16, 17; 5:14, 27; 6:6, 9–12, 17–20, 32; 7:1, 16–20.
5 he had restored. ch. 4:35. behold, the woman. Ru. 2:3. Es. 5:14; 6:11, 12. Pr. 16:9. Ec. 9:11. Mat. 10:29, 30. Ac. 8:27, etc. Ro. 8:31. My lord. ch. 6:12, 26. 1 Sa. 26:17. Ps. 145:1.
6 officer. or, eunuch. ch. 9:32. Ge. 37:36. 1 Ch. 28:1, margins. Restore all. De. 22:2. Ju. 11:13. 2 Sa. 9:7. Pr. 16:7; 21:1.
7 Damascus. Ge. 14:15. 1 Ki. 11:24. Is. 7:8. Ben-hadad. ch. 6:24. 1 Ki. 15:18; 20:1, 34. The man of God. ch. 1:9, 10; 2:15; 6:12. See on De. 33:1. 1 Ki. 13:1. is come. Ju. 16:2. Ac. 17:6.
8 Hazael. 1 Ki. 19:15. Take. See on ch. 5:5. 1 Sa. 9:7. 1 Ki. 14:3. enquire. ch. 1:2, 6; 3:11–13. 1 Ki. 14:1–4. Lu. 13:23. Ac. 16:30.
9 Hazael. See on 1 Ki. 19:15. with him. Heb. in his hand. ch. 5:5. Thy son Ben-hadad. ch. 6:21; 13:14; 16:7. 1 Sa. 25:8. Phile. 14.
10 Thou mayest. 1 Ki. 22:15. the Lord. ver. 13. Ge. 41:39. Je. 38:21. Eze. 11:25. Am. 3:7; 7:1, 4, 7; 8:1. Zec. 1:20. Re. 22:1. he shall surely die. ver. 15; ch. 1:4, 16. Ge. 2:17. Ezo. 18:13.
11 stedfastly. Heb. and set it. wept. Ge. 45:2. Ps. 119:136. Je. 4:19; 9:1, 18; 13:17; 14:17. Lu. 19:41. Jno. 11:35. Ac. 20:19, 31. Ro. 9:2. Phi. 3:18.
12 my lord. See on ch. 4:28. 1 Ki. 18:13. the evil. ch. 10:32, 33; 12:17; 13:3, 7. Am. 1:3, 4. dash. ch. 15:16. Ps. 137:8, 9. Is. 13:16, 18. Ho. 10:14; 13:16. Am. 1:3–5, 13. Na. 3:10.
13 a dog. 1 Sa. 17:43. 2 Sa. 9:8. Ps. 22:16, 20. Is. 56:10, 11. Mat. 7:6. Phi. 3:2. Re. 22:15. he should do. Je. 17:9. Mat. 26:33–35. The Lord. See on ver. 10. 1 Ki. 19:15. Mi. 2:1.
14 He told me. ver. 10; ch. 5:25. Mat. 26:16.
15 And it came. ver. 13. 1 Sa. 16:12, 13; 24:4–7, 13; 26:9–11. 1 Ki. 11:26–37. on the morrow. Ps. 36:4. Mi. 2:1. that he took a thick cloth. There is a considerable degree of ambiguity in this passage. The pronoun he is generally referred to Hazael; but Dr. GEDDES and others are decidedly of opinion, that we should understand by it Ben-hadad; who, encouraged by the favourable answer of Elisha, as reported by Hazael, adopted a violent remedy to allay the heat of his fever, and put over his face the keveer, or fly-net, (See Note on 1 Sa. 19:13,) dipped in water, which suddenly checked the perspiration, and occasioned his death. so that he died. ch. 9:24; 15:10–14, 25, 30. 1 Ki. 15:28; 16:10, 18. Is. 33:1. Hazael. ver. 13. 1 Ki. 19:15.
16 A.M. 3112. B.C. 892. Jehoram. ch. 1:17. 1 Ki. 22:50. 2 Ch. 21:1–20. began to reign. Heb. reigned. ‘Began to reign in concert with his father.’
17 A.M. 3112–3119. B.C. 892–885.
18 in the way. ch. 3:2, 3. 1 Ki. 22:52, 53. the house. ch. 9:7, 8; 21:3, 13. 2 Ch. 21:13. Mi. 6:16. the daughter. ver. 26. 1 Ki. 21:25. 2 Ch. 18:1; 19:2; 21:6; 22:1–4. his wife. Ge. 6:1–5. De. 7:3, 4. See on 1 Ki. 11:1–5. Ne. 13:25, 26.
19 for David. ch. 19:34. 2 Sa. 7:12, 13, 15. 1 Ki. 11:36; 15:4, 5. 2 Ch. 21:7. Is. 7:14; 37:35. Je. 33:25, 26. Ho. 11:9. Lu. 1:32, 33. light. Heb. candle, or lamp. See on 1 Ki. 11:36.
20 Edom. ver. 22; ch. 3:9, 27. Ge. 27:40. 2 Ch. 21:8–10. made a king. 2 Sa. 8:14. 1 Ki. 22:47.
21 Zair. Zaïr is supposed by CALMET and others to be the same as Seïr, the country of Seir the Horite, inhabited by the Edomites or Idumeans. Probably the former was a dialectical pronunciation of the latter.
22 Yet. ‘And so fulfilled. Ge. 27:40.’ See ver. 20. Libnah. ch. 19:8. Jos. 21:13. 2 Ch. 21:10.
23 ch. 15:6, 36. See on 1 Ki. 11:41; 14:29; 15:23. 2 Ch. 21:11–20.
24 slept. See on 1 Ki. 2:10; 11:43; 14:20, 31. Ahaziah. 1 Ch. 3:11. 2 Ch. 21:1, 17; 25:23, Jehoahaz; 22:1, 6, Azariah.
25 A.M. 3119–3120. B.C. 885–884. See on ver. 16, 17; ch. 9:29. 2 Ch. 21:20.
26 Two and twenty. In the parallel passage of Chronicles, it is said, ‘forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign;’ but this is evidently a mistake, as it makes the son two years older than his own father! For his father began to reign when he was thirty-two years old, and reigned eight years, and so died, being forty years old. See ver. 17, and the Note on 2 Ch. 22:2. one year. ch. 9:21–27. 2 Ch. 22:5–8. Athaliah. ch. 11:1, 13–16. daughter. or, grand-daughter. ver. 18.
27 he walked. See on ver. 18. the son in law. ver. 18. 2 Ch. 22:3, 4. Ec. 7:26. 2 Co. 6:14–17.
28 A.M. 3120. B.C. 884. he went. ch. 3:7; 9:15. 1 Ki. 22:4. 2 Ch. 18:2, 3, 31; 19:2; 22:5. Hazael. ver. 12, 13. 1 Ki. 19:17. Ramoth-gilead. Jos. 21:38. 1 Ki. 4:13; 22:3.
29 Joram. ch. 9:15. which the Syrians had given. Heb. wherewith the Syrians had wounded. Ramah. ‘Called Ramoth, ver. 28.’ Ahaziah. ch. 9:16. 2 Ch. 22:6, 7. sick. Heb. wounded. 1 Ki. 22:34.


  CHAP. 9

  Elisha sends a young prophet with instructions to anoint Jehu at Ramoth-gilead, 1–3. The prophet having done his message, flees, 4–10. Jehu, being made king by the soldiers, kills Joram in the field of Naboth, 11–26. Ahaziah is slain at Gur, and buried at Jerusalem, 27–29. Proud Jezebel is thrown down out of a window, and eaten by dogs, 30–37.

1 one. The Jews say that this was Jonah the prophet, the son of Amittai. the children. ch. 4:1; 6:1–3. See on 1 Ki. 20:35. Gird up thy loins. As the upper garments of the Orientals were long and flowing, it was indispensably necessary to tuck up the skirts with a girdle about their loins, in order to use any expedition in their work or on a journey. ch. 4:29. 1 Ki. 18:46. Je. 1:17. Lu. 12:35–37. 1 Pe. 1:13. box of oil. 1 Sa. 10:1; 16:1. 1 Ki. 1:39. Ramoth-gilead. ch. 8:28, 29. De. 4:1, 3. 1 Ki. 22:4, 20.
2 Jehu. Jehoram having retired from the army, Jehu seems to have been left first in command, having been long employed by Ahab’s family. ver. 14. 1 Ki. 19:16, 17. among his brethren. ver. 5, 11. inner chamber. Heb. chamber in a chamber. 1 Ki. 20:30; 22:25, margins.
3 pour it. Ex. 29:7. Le. 8:12. 1 Sa. 16:13. 1 Ki. 19:16. I have anointed. ch. 8:13. 1 Sa. 9:16; 15:1, 17; 16:12. Ps. 75:6, 7. Pr. 8:15, 16. Je. 27:5–7. Da. 2:21; 4:35; 5:18. Jno. 19:10, 11. and flee. 1 Sa. 16:2. Mat. 2:13; 10:16.
4 the young man. Hannäâr hannavee, not as some would render, ‘the servant of the prophet,’ but, as correctly rendered by our venerable translators, ‘the young man, the prophet;’ for הנער, hannäâr, ‘the young man,’ is not in regimine, but in appositione, with הנביא, hannavee, ‘the prophet.’
5 I have an errand. Ju. 3:19.
6 he arose. Ac. 23:18, 19. I have anointed. See on ver. 3. 1 Ki. 1:34; 19:16. 2 Ch. 22:7. Ps. 2:6, marg.; 75:6. Is. 45:1. Da. 2:21; 4:17, 32; 5:20, 21. over the people. 1 Ki. 3:8; 10:9; 14:7; 16:2.
7 I may avenge. De. 32:35, 43. Ps. 94:1–7. Mat. 23:35. Lu. 18:7, 8. Ro. 12:19; 13:4. He. 10:30. Re. 6:9, 10; 18:20; 19:2. at the hand. ver. 32–37. 1 Ki. 18:4; 21:15, 21, 25.
8 I will cut off. See on 1 Ki. 14:10, 11; 21:21, 22. him that pisseth. 1 Sa. 25:22. him that is shut up. ch. 14:26. De. 32:36.
9 like the house. 1 Ki. 14:10, 11; 15:29; 21:22. and like the house. 1 Ki. 16:3–5, 11, 12.
10 the dogs. ver. 35, 36. 1 Ki. 21:23. Je. 22:19. he opened. ver. 3. Ju. 3:26.
11 Is all well. ver. 17, 19, 22; ch. 4:26; 5:21. this mad fellow. It is probable there was something peculiar in the young prophet’s manner and address, similar to the vehement actions sometimes used by the prophets when under the Divine influence, which caused the bystanders to use this contemptuous language. Is. 59:15, marg. Je. 29:26. Ho. 9:7. Mar. 3:21. Jno. 10:20. Ac. 17:18; 26:24. 1 Co. 4:10. 2 Co. 5:13.
12 Thus and thus. See on ver. 6–10.
13 and took every. The spreading of garments in the street, before persons to whom it was intended to shew particular honour, was an ancient and very general custom; the garments in these cases being used for carpets. In the Agamemnon of ÆSCHYLUS, the hypocritical Clytemnestra commands the maids to spread carpets before her returning husband, that on his descending from his chariot he may place his foot on ‘a purple-covered path.’ We also find this custom among the Romans. PLUTARCH relates, that when Cato of Utica left the Macedonian army, where he had become legionary tribune, the soldiers spread their clothes in the way. Mat. 21:7, 8. Mar. 11:7, 8. on the top. The ancient fortified cities were generally strengthened with a citadel, (Ju. 9:46, 51,) commonly built on an eminence, to which they ascended by a flight of stairs, (Ne. 3:15.) It is extremely probable, therefore, that Ramoth-gilead, being a frontier town of Israel and Syria, had a tower of this nature; and that Jehu was proclaimed king on the top of the stairs by which they ascended the hill on which the tower stood, i.e. in the area before the door of the tower, and consequently the most public place in the city. blew with trumpets. 2 Sa. 15:10. 1 Ki. 1:34, 39. Ps. 47:5–7; 98:6. is king. Heb. reigneth.
14 conspired. ver. 31; ch. 8:12–15; 10:9; 15:30. 1 Ki. 15:27; 16:7, 9, 16. kept Ramoth-gilead. ch. 8:28. 1 Ki. 22:3.
15 Joram. Heb. Jehoram. returned. ch. 8:29. 2 Ch. 22:6. had given. Heb. smote. none go forth. Heb. no escaper go forth. 1 Sa. 27:9–11.
16 And Ahaziah. ch. 8:28, 29. 2 Ch. 22:6, 7.
17 a watchman. 2 Sa. 13:34; 18:24. Is. 21:6–9, 11, 12; 56:10; 62:6. Eze. 33:2–9. Ac. 20:26–31. Take an horseman. ch. 7:14. Is it peace. ver. 19. 1 Sa. 16:4; 17:22. 1 Ki. 2:15. Lu. 10:5, 6.
18 What hast thou to do. ver. 19, 22. Is. 48:22; 59:8. Je. 16:5. Ro. 3:17.
20 driving. or, marching. Hab. 1:6; 3:12. for he driveth. ch. 10:16. Ec. 9:10. Is. 54:16. Da. 11:44. furiously. Heb. in madness.
21 Make ready. Heb. bind. 1 Ki. 20:14, marg. Mi. 1:13. Joram. 2 Ch. 22:7. met. Heb. found. Nu. 20:14, marg. the portion of Naboth. ver. 25. 1 Ki. 21:1–7, 15, 18, 19.
22 Is it peace. See on ver. 17. What peace. ver. 18. Is. 57:19–21. the whoredoms. 1 Ki. 16:30–33; 18:4; 19:1, 2; 21:8–10, 25. Na. 3:4. Re. 2:20–23; 17:4, 5; 18:3, 23.
23 There is treachery. ch. 11:14. 2 Ch. 23:13.
24 drew a bow with his full strength. Heb. filled his hand with a bow. smote. 1 Ki. 22:34. Job 20:23–25. Ps. 50:22. Pr. 21:30. Ec. 8:12, 13. 1 Th. 5:3. sunk. Heb. bowed.
25 the Lord. 1 Ki. 21:19, 24–29. Is. 13:1. Je. 23:33–38. Na. 1:1. Mal. 1:1. Mat. 11:30.
26 blood of Naboth. Heb. bloods of Naboth. of his sons. De. 24:16. 2 Ch. 24:25; 25:4. I will requite. Ex. 20:5. De. 5:9. Eze. 18:19. plat. or, portion.
27 Ahaziah. ch. 8:29. Nu. 16:26. 2 Ch. 22:7–9. Pr. 13:20. 2 Co. 6:17. garden house. 1 Ki. 21:2. Ibleam. Jos. 17:11. Ju. 1:27. Megiddo. ‘In the kingdom of Samaria.’ ch. 23:29, 30. Ju. 1:27; 5:19. 1 Ki. 4:12. 2 Ch. 22:9.
28 ch. 12:21; 14:19, 20; 23:30. 2 Ch. 25:28; 35:24.
29 in the eleventh. ch. 8:16, 24. 2 Ch. 21:18, 19; 22:1, 2. began Ahaziah. ‘Then he began to reign as viceroy to his father in his sickness. 2 Ch. 21:18, 19. But in Joram’s twelfth year, he began to reign alone. ch. 8:25.’
30 Jezebel. 1 Ki. 19:1, 2. painted her face. Heb. put her eyes in painting. Je. 4:30. Eze. 23:40. tired. Is. 3:18–24. Eze. 24:17. 1 Ti. 2:9, 10. 1 Pe. 3:3.
31 Zimri. 1 Ki. 16:9–20. peace. See on ver. 18–22.
32 Who is on my side? Ex. 32:26. 1 Ch. 12:18. 2 Ch. 11:12. Ps. 118:6; 124:1, 2. eunuchs. or, chamberlains. Es. 1:10; 2:15, 21. Ac. 12:20.
33 Throw her down. See on 1 Ki. 21:11. and on the horses. This terrible mode of punishment appears to have been but rarely used, though we occasionally meet with it during this and subsequent periods. The same punishment, it is well known, obtained among the Romans, who used to throw certain malefactors from the Tarpeian rock. This practice obtains among the Moors at Constantia, a town of Barbary; and is also of frequent occurrence in Persia. and he trode. ver. 26; ch. 7:20. Is. 25:10. La. 1:15. Mi. 7:10. Mal. 4:3. Mat. 5:13. He. 10:29.
34 he did eat. 1 Ki. 18:41. Es. 3:15. Am. 6:4. this cursed woman. 1 Ki. 21:25. Pr. 10:7. Is. 65:15. Mat. 25:41. she is a king’s. 1 Ki. 16:31.
35 but they found. Job 31:3. Ec. 6:3. Is. 14:18–20. Je. 22:19; 36:30. Ac. 12:23.
36 This is. See on 1 Ki. 21:23. by his. Heb. by the hand of his. ch. 14:25. Le. 8:36. 2 Sa. 12:25.
37 the carcase. Ps. 83:10. Ec. 6:3. Is. 14:18–20. Je. 8:2; 16:4; 22:19; 36:20. Eze. 32:23–30.


  CHAP. 10

  Jehu, by his letters, causes seventy of Ahab’s children to be beheaded, 1–7. He excuses the fact by the prophecy of Elijah, 8–11. At the shearing house he slays two and forty of Ahaziah’s brethren, 12–14. He takes Jehonadab into his company, 15–17. By subtilty he destroys all the worshippers of Baal, 18–28. Jehu follows Jeroboam’s sins, 29–31. Hazael oppresses Israel, 32, 33. Jehoahaz succeeds Jehu, 34–36.

1 seventy sons. Ju. 8:30; 10:4; 12:14. in Samaria. ch. 5:3. 1 Ki. 13:32; 16:28. 2 Ch. 22:9. the rulers. See on De. 16:18. 1 Ki. 21:8–14. them. Heb. nourishers.
2 as soon. See on ch. 5:6.
3 Look even. De. 17:14, 15. 1 Sa. 10:24; 11:15. 2 Sa. 2:8, 9. 1 Ki. 1:24, 25; 12:20. fight for. 2 Sa. 2:12–17. 1 Ki. 12:21. Jno. 18:36.
4 Behold. ch. 9:24, 27. how then shall. Is. 27:4. Je. 49:19. Na. 1:6. Lu. 14:31.
5 We are thy servants. ch. 18:14. Jos. 9:11, 24, 25. 1 Ki. 20:4, 32. Je. 27:7, 8, 17. Jno. 12:26.
6 If ye be mine. Heb. If ye be for me. See on ch. 9:32. Mat. 12:30. Lu. 9:50. take ye. Nu. 25:4. See on 1 Ki. 21:8–11. your master’s sons. De. 5:9. Jos. 7:24, 25. Job 21:19. Is. 14:21, 22. Re. 2:20–23. which brought them up. ‘The rich,’ says Mr. MORIER, ‘hire a dedeh, or wet nurse for their children. If a boy, the father appoints a steady man from the age of two years to be his laleh, who, I conjecture, must stand in the same capacity as the bringers up of children mentioned in the catastrophe of Ahab’s sons. But if it be a daughter, she has a gees sefeed, or white head, attached to her for the same purpose as the laleh.’
7 slew seventy. ver. 9; ch. 11:1. Ju. 9:5, etc. 1 Ki. 21:21. 2 Ch. 21:4. Mat. 14:8–11.
8 there came. 2 Sa. 11:18–21. 1 Ki. 21:14. Mar. 6:28. Lay ye them. Such barbarities are by no means uncommon in the East. ‘It has been known to occur,’ says Mr. MORIER, ‘after the combat was over, that prisoners have been put to death in cold blood, in order that the heads, which are immediately despatched to the king, and deposited in heaps at the palace gates, might make a more considerable show.’ until the morning. De. 21:23.
9 Ye be righteous. 1 Sa. 12:3. Is. 5:3. I conspired. See on ch. 9:14–24. Ho. 1:4.
10 fall unto the earth. 1 Sa. 3:19; 15:29. Je. 44:28, 29. Zec. 1:6. Mar. 13:31. the Lord hath done. ch. 9:7–10. 1 Ki. 21:19, 21–24, 29. by. Heb. by the hand of. ch. 9:36, marg.
11 and. Ps. 125:5. Pr. 13:20. kinsfolks. or, acquaintance. his priests. ch. 23:20. 1 Ki. 18:19, 40; 22:6. Re. 19:20; 20:10. he left. Jos. 10:30; 11:8. 1 Ki. 14:10; 15:29; 16:11; 21:22. Job 18:19. Ps. 109:13. Is. 14:21, 22.
12 shearing house. Heb. house of shepherds binding sheep.
13 met with. Heb. found. the brethren. ch. 8:24, 29; 9:21–27. 2 Ch. 21:17; 22:1–10. salute. Heb. the peace of, etc.
14 Take them alive. ver. 6, 10, 11. 1 Ki. 20:18. neither left. ch. 8:18; 11:1. 2 Ch. 22:8, 10.
15 lighted on. Heb. found. ver. 13; ch. 9:21, margins. Jehonadab. Je. 35:6, 8, 14–19, Jonadab. Rechab. 1 Ch. 2:55. saluted. Heb. blessed. See on Ge. 31:55; 47:7, 10. Is thine heart right. 1 Ch. 12:17, 18. Jno. 21:15–17. Ga. 4:12. give me. Ezr. 10:19. Eze. 17:18. Ga. 2:9. he took him. Jehu asked for the hand of Jehonadab not merely for the purpose of assisting him into the chariot, but that he might give him an assurance that he would assist him in the prosecution of his desires; for giving the hand is considered as a pledge of friendship and fidelity, or a form of entering into a contract, among all nations. Mr. BRUCE relates, that when he entreated the protection of a sheikh, the great people who were assembled came, ‘and after joining hands, repeated a kind of prayer, of about two minutes long; by which they declared themselves and their children accursed, if ever they lifted their hands against me in the tell, (or field) in the desert, or on the river; or, in case that I, or mine, should fly to them for refuge, if they did not protect us at the risk of their lives, their families, and their fortunes, or, as they emphatically expressed it, to the death of the last male child among them.’ Another striking instance occurs in OCKLEY’S History of the Saracens. Telha, just before he died, asked one of Ali’s men if he belonged to the emperor of the faithful; and being informed that he did, ‘Give me then,’ said he, ‘your hand, that I may put mine in it, and by this action renew the oath of fidelity which I have already made to Ali.’ Ac. 8:31.
16 Come with me. ver. 31; ch. 9:7–9. Nu. 23:4; 24:13–16. 1 Ki. 19:10, 14, 17. Pr. 27:2. Eze. 33:31. Mat. 6:2, 5. Ro. 10:2.
17 he slew. See on ver. 11; ch. 9:8. 2 Ch. 22:8. Ps. 109:8, 9. Mal. 4:1. according. See on ver. 10; ch. 9:25, 26. 1 Ki. 21:21.
18 Ahab served Baal. ch. 3:2. 1 Ki. 16:31, 32; 18:19, 22, 40. Jehu. Job 13:7. Ro. 3:8. Phi. 4:8.
19 all the prophets. ch. 3:13. 1 Ki. 22:6. all his servants. ver. 21. all his priests. ver. 11. But Jehu. See on ver. 18. Job 13:7. Pr. 29:5. 2 Co. 4:2; 11:3, 13–15; 12:16–18. 1 Th. 2:3.
20 Proclaim. Heb. Sanctify. 1 Ki. 18:19, 20; 21:12. Joel 1:14.
21 And they came. Joel 3:2, 11–14. Re. 16:16. the house of Baal. 1 Ki. 16:32. full from one end to another. or, so full that they stood mouth to mouth. Ju. 16:27.
22 vestments. Ex. 28:2. Mat. 22:11, 12.
23 Jehonadab. ver. 15. the worshippers. Mat. 13:30, 41; 25:32, 33.
24 If any of the men. 1 Ki. 20:30–42.
25 Go in. Ex. 32:27. De. 13:6–11. Eze. 9:5–7. let. Eze. 22:21, 22. Re. 16:6, 7. edge. Heb. mouth.
26 images. Heb. statues. 1 Ki. 14:23, marg. and burned them. ch. 19:18. 2 Sa. 5:21.
27 brake down the image. ch. 18:4; 23:7–14. Le. 26:30. De. 7:5, 25. 1 Ki. 16:32. 2 Ch. 34:3–7. made it a draught house. This was an ancient mode of degradation, which still continues in the East; and we are informed, that Abbas the Great, king of Persia, having conquered Bagdad, treated the tomb of Hanifah, one of the fathers of the church among the Turks, in a similar manner. Ezr. 6:11. Da. 2:5; 3:29.
29 A.M. 3120–3148. B.C. 884–856. the sins. ch. 13:2, 11; 14:24; 15:9, 18, 24, 28; 17:22. 1 Ki. 12:28–30; 13:33, 34; 14:16. made Israel. Ge. 20:9. Ex. 32:21. 1 Sa. 2:24. Mar. 6:24–26. 1 Co. 8:9–13. Ga. 2:12, 13. the golden calves. Ex. 32:4. Ho. 8:5, 6; 10:5; 13:2. in Beth-el. 1 Ki. 12:29.
30 Because thou hast. 1 Ki. 21:29. Eze. 29:18–20. Ho. 1:4. according to all that. 1 Sa. 15:18–24. 1 Ki. 20:42; 21:22. thy children. ver. 35; ch. 13:1, 10; 14:23; 15:8–12.
31 took no heed. Heb. observed not. De. 4:15, 23. 1 Ki. 2:4. Ps. 39:1; 119:9. Pr. 4:23. He. 2:1; 12:15. walk. De. 5:33; 10:12, 13. 2 Ch. 6:16. Ne. 10:29. Ps. 78:10. Eze. 36:27. Da. 9:10. he departed. ver. 29; ch. 3:3. 1 Ki. 14:16.
32 cut. Heb. cut off the ends of. Hazael. ch. 8:12; 13:22. 1 Ki. 19:17.
33 eastward. Heb. toward the rising of the sun. the land of Gilead. Nu. 32:33–42. De. 3:12–17. Jos. 13:9–12. even. or, even to. Am. 1:3, 4.
34 ch. 12:19; 13:8. See on 1 Ki. 11:41; 14:19, 29.
35 A.M. 3148. B.C. 856. Jehu slept. 2 Sa. 7:12. 1 Ki. 1:21; 2:10; 14:20, 31. Jehoahaz. ch. 13:1, 7, 8.
36 the time. Heb. the days were.


  CHAP. 11

  Jehoash, being saved by Jehosheba his aunt from Athaliah’s massacre of the seed royal, is hid six years in the house of God, 1–3. Jehoiada, giving order to the captains, in the seventh year anoints him king, 4–12. Athaliah is slain, 13–16. Jehoiada restores the worship of God, 17–21.

1 A.M. 3120. B.C. 884. Athaliah. 2 Ch. 22:10; 24:7. the mother. ch. 8:26; 9:27. and destroyed. A similar history is related by Mr. BRUCE, as having occurred in Abyssinia. Judith ‘surprised the rock Damo, and slew the whole of the princes, to the number, it is said, of about 400;’ while the infant king, Del Naad, was conveyed for safety to a loyal province, and afterwards restored. Mat. 2:13, 16; 21:38, 39. seed royal. Heb. seed of the kingdom. ch. 25:25, marg. Je. 41:1.
2 Jehosheba. 2 Ch. 22:11, Jehoshabeath. Joram. ch. 8:16, Jehoram. Joash. ch. 12:1, 2, Jehoash. they hid him. ch. 8:19. Pr. 21:30. Is. 7:6, 7; 37:35; 65:8, 9. Je. 33:17, 21, 26. in the bed-chamber. Bachadar hammittoth, ‘in a chamber of beds;’ which Sir J. CHARDIN thinks does not mean a room to sleep in, but a chamber used as a repository for beds; for, in the East, they sleep upon cotton mattresses, ‘of which they have several in great houses, against they should have occasion, and a room on purpose for them.’ 1 Ki. 6:5, 6, 8, 10. Je. 35:2. Eze. 40:45.
3 A.M. 3120–3126. B.C. 884–878. And Athaliah. 2 Ch. 22:12. Ps. 12:8. Mal. 3:15.
4 A.M. 3126. B.C. 878. the seventh. 2 Ch. 23:1, etc. rulers. ver. 9. 1 Ch. 9:13. the captains. Ac. 5:24, 26. made a covenant. ver. 17; ch. 23:3. Jos. 24:25. 1 Sa. 18:3; 23:18. 2 Ch. 15:12; 29:10; 34:31, 32. Ne. 9:38. took an oath. Ge. 50:25. 1 Ki. 18:10. Ne. 5:12; 10:29.
5 that enter. 1 Ch. 9:25; 23:3–6, 32; 24:3–6. Lu. 1:8, 9. the watch. ver. 19; ch. 16:18. 1 Ki. 10:5. Je. 26:10. Eze. 44:2, 3; 46:2, 3.
6 the gate of Sur. 1 Ch. 26:13–19. 2 Ch. 23:4, 5. that it be not broken down. or, from breaking up.
7 parts. or, companies. Heb. hands. go forth. ver. 5. 2 Ch. 23:6.
8 he that cometh. ver. 15. Ex. 21:14. 1 Ki. 2:28–31. 2 Ch. 23:7.
9 the captains. See on ver. 4. 1 Ch. 26:26. 2 Ch. 23:8.
10 king David’s spears. JOSEPHUS states that, for fear of creating suspicion, they came unarmed, ‘and Jehoiada having opened the arsenal in the temple which David had prepared, he divided among the centurions, priests, and Levites, the spears (arrows), and quivers, and all other kinds of weapons which he found there.’ 1 Sa. 21:9. 2 Sa. 8:7. 1 Ch. 26:26, 27. 2 Ch. 5:1; 23:9, 10.
11 every man. ver. 8, 10. corner. Heb. shoulder. by the altar. Ex. 40:6. 2 Ch. 6:12. Eze. 8:16. Joel 2:17. Mat. 23:35. Lu. 11:51.
12 he brought. ver. 2, 4. 2 Ch. 23:11. put the crown. 2 Sa. 1:10; 12:30. Es. 2:17; 6:8. Ps. 21:3; 89:39; 132:18. Mat. 27:29. He. 2:9. Re. 19:12. the testimony. Ex. 25:16; 31:18. De. 17:18–20. Ps. 78:5. Is. 8:16, 20. anointed him. ch. 9:3. 1 Sa. 10:1; 16:13. 2 Sa. 2:4, 7; 5:3. 1 Ki. 1:39. La. 4:20. Ac. 4:27. 2 Co. 1:21. He. 1:9. and they clapped. Wyyakkoo kaph, ‘they clapped the hand,’ which Mr. HARMER thinks was similar to the mode in which Oriental females express their respect for persons of high rank, by gently applying one of their hands to their mouth. So PITTS relates, that in some of the towns of Barbary, the leaders of the sacred caravan being received with loud acclamations, ‘the very women get upon the tops of the houses to view the parade, or fine show, where they keep striking their four fingers on their lips, as fast as they can, making a joyful noise all the while.’ Ps. 47:1; 98:8. Is. 55:12. and said. 1 Ki. 1:34. Ps. 72:15–17. Da. 3:9; 6:21. Mat. 21:9. God save the king. Heb. Let the king live. 1 Sa. 10:24. 2 Sa. 16:16, margins.
13 2 Ch. 23:12–15.
14 stood. The Orientals considered a seat by a pillar or column as particularly honourable, a pillar. ch. 23:3. 2 Ch. 34:31. the princes. ver. 10, 11. See on Nu. 10:1–10. all the people. 1 Ki. 1:39, 40. 1 Ch. 12:40. Pr. 29:2. Lu. 19:37. Re. 19:1–7. Treason. ver. 1, 2; ch. 9:23. 1 Ki. 18:17, 18.
15 captains. ver. 4, 9, 10. 2 Ch. 23:9, 14. Have. Ex. 21:14. followeth. See on ver. 8. Let. Eze. 9:7.
16 by the which. 2 Ch. 23:15. there was she slain. Ge. 9:6. Ju. 1:7. Mat. 7:2. Ja. 2:13. Re. 16:5–7.
17 made a covenant. See on ver. 4. De. 5:2, 3; 29:1–15. Jos. 24:25. 2 Ch. 15:12–14; 29:10; 34:31. Ezr. 10:3. Ne. 5:12, 13; 9:38; 10:28, 29. 2 Co. 8:5, between the king. 1 Sa. 10:25. 2 Sa. 5:3. 1 Ch. 11:3. 2 Ch. 23:16. Ro. 13:1–6.
18 went. ch. 9:25–28; 10:26; 18:4; 23:4–6, 10, 14. 2 Ch. 23:17; 34:4, 7. brake they. ch. 18:4. Ex. 32:20. De. 12:3. 2 Ch. 21:17. Is. 2:18. Zec. 13:2. slew Mattan. De. 13:5, 9. 1 Ki. 18:40. Zec. 13:2, 3. appointed. 2 Ch. 23:18–20. officers. Heb. offices.
19 took. See on ver. 4–11. by the way. See on ver. 5. 2 Ch. 23:5, 19. he sat. 1 Ki. 1:13. 1 Ch. 29:23. Je. 17:25; 22:4, 30. Mat. 19:28; 25:31.
20 rejoiced. See on ver. 14. 2 Ch. 23:21. Pr. 11:10; 29:2. slew Athaliah. See on ver. 15.
21 ver. 4; ch. 22:1. 2 Ch. 24:1, etc.


  CHAP. 12

  Jehoash reigns well all the days of Jehoiada, 1–3. He gives order for the repair of the temple, 4–16. Hazael is diverted from Jerusalem by a present of the hallowed treasures, 17, 18. Jehoash being slain, Amaziah succeeds him, 19–21.

1 the seventh. ch. 9:27; 11:1, 3, 4, 21. 2 Ch. 24:1, etc. Jehoash. ch. 11:2. 1 Ch. 3:11, Joash.
2 ch. 14:3. 2 Ch. 24:2, 17–22; 25:2; 26:4.
3 ch. 14:4; 18:4. 1 Ki. 15:14; 22:43. 2 Ch. 31:4. Je. 2:20.
4 A.M. 3148 B.C. 856. said to the priests. ch. 22:4. 2 Ch. 29:4–11; 35:2. the money. ver. 18. 1 Ki. 7:51. 1 Ch. 18:11. 2 Ch. 15:18; 31:12. dedicated things. or, holy things. Heb. holinesses. Le. 5:15, 16; 27:12–27, 31. even the money. ch. 22:4. Ex. 30:12–16. 2 Ch. 24:9, 10. that every man is set at. Heb. of the souls of his estimation. Le. 27:2–8. and all the money. Ex. 25:1, 2; 35:5, 22, 29; 36:3. 1 Ch. 29:3–9, 17. Ezr. 1:6; 2:69; 7:16; 8:25–28. Lu. 21:4. cometh, etc. Heb. ascendeth upon the heart of a man.
5 Let the priests. 2 Ch. 24:5. let them repair. ver. 12; ch. 22:5, 6. 1 Ki. 11:27. 2 Ch. 24:7. Is. 58:12.
6 three and twentieth year. Heb. twentieth year and third year. the priests. 1 Sa. 2:29, 30. 2 Ch. 29:34. Is. 56:10–12. Mal. 1:10. Phi. 2:21. 1 Pe. 5:2.
7 king Jehoash. 2 Ch. 24:5, 6, etc. Jehoiada. ver. 2; ch. 11:4. 2 Ch. 23:1; 24:16. Why repair ye. 1 Ch. 21:3.
9 took a chest. 2 Ch. 24:8, etc. Mar. 12:41. beside. 2 Ch. 24:10. the priests. ch. 22:4; 23:4; 25:18. 1 Ch. 15:18, 24. Je. 35:4; 52:24. door. Heb. threshold. Ps. 84:10, marg.
10 the king’s. ch. 19:2; 22:3, 12. 2 Sa. 8:17; 20:25. scribe. or, secretary. put up. Heb. bound up. ch. 5:23. in bags. Sir J. CHARDIN informs us, ‘it is a custom of Persia always to seal up bags of money; and the money of the king’s treasure is not told, but is received by bags sealed up.’ These are what are called in the East purses; each of which, as MAILLET informs us, contains money to the amount of 1500 livres, or about 63l. of our money. The money thus collected for the reparation of the temple, seems, in like manner, to have been reckoned in bags of equal value to each other; as we can scarcely imagine the placing it in bags would otherwise have been mentioned. The value of a Jewish purse is unknown; but the bags mentioned in ch. 5:23, amounted to a talent.
11 gave the money. ch. 22:5, 6. 2 Ch. 24:11, 12; 34:9–11. laid it out. Heb. brought it forth.
12 masons. 1 Ki. 5:17, 18. Ezr. 3:7; 5:8. Lu. 21:5. was laid out. Heb. went forth.
13 there were not. That is, there were no vessels made for the service of the temple till all the outward repairs were completed; but, when this was done, ‘they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels of gold and silver,’ (2 Ch. 24:14,) to replace those which had been taken away by Athaliah and her sons. 2 Ch. 24:14. bowls. See on Nu. 7:13, 14. 1 Ki. 7:48–50. Ezr. 1:9–11. trumpets. See on Nu. 10:2.
15 they reckoned. ch. 22:7. for they dealt. 2 Ch. 34:12. Ne. 7:2. Mat. 24:45. Lu. 16:1, 10, 11. 1 Co. 4:2, 3. 3 Jno. 5.
16 trespass money. Le. 5:15–18; 7:7. Nu. 5:8–10; 18:8, 9. Ho. 4:8.
17 A.M. 3164. B.C. 840. Hazael. See on ch. 8:12–15. against Gath. 1 Sa. 27:2. 1 Ki. 2:39, 40. 1 Ch. 8:13; 18:1. set his face. Je. 42:15. Lu. 9:51, 53. to Jerusalem. 2 Ch. 24:23, 24.
18 took all the hallowed. He dearly bought, by such unhallowed means, a peace which was of short duration; for the next year Hazael returned, and Jehoash having no more treasures, was obliged to hazard a battle, which he lost, and the principal part of his nobility, so that Judah was totally ruined, and Jehoash soon after slain in his bed by his own servants. ch. 18:15, 16. 1 Ki. 15:18. 2 Ch. 16:2. went away. Heb. went up.
19 the rest. ch. 8:23. 1 Ki. 11:41; 14:19, 29.
20 his servants. ch. 14:5. 2 Ch. 24:24, 25; 25:27; 33:24. the house of Millo. or, Beth-millo. Ju. 9:6. 2 Sa. 5:9. 1 Ki. 11:27.
21 Jozachar. This person is called Zabad in Chronicles, and Shimeath his mother is said to be an Ammonitess; and Jehozabad is said to be the son, not of Shomer, but of Shimrith, a Moabitess. Who the fathers of these two persons were we know not; they were probably foreigners and aliens. Some suppose that they belonged to the king’s chamber, and therefore could have easy access to him. 2 Ch. 24:26, Zabad. Shomer. 2 Ch. 24:26, Shimrith. Amaziah his son. 2 Ch. 24:27.


  CHAP. 13

  Jehoahaz’s wicked reign, 1, 2. Jehoahaz, oppressed by Hazael, is relieved by prayer, 3–7. Joash succeeds him, 8, 9. His wicked reign, 10, 11. Jeroboam succeeds him, 12, 13. Elisha dying, prophesies to Joash three victories over the Syrians, 14–19. The Moabites invading the land, Elisha’s bones raise a dead man, 20, 21. Joash gets three victories over Ben-hadad, 22–25.

1 three and twentieth year. Heb. twentieth year, and third year. ch. 8:26; 10:36; 11:4, 21. Jehoahaz. ch. 10:35.
2 A.M. 3148–3165. B.C. 856–839. followed. Heb. walked after. ver. 11. See on ch. 10:29. 1 Ki. 12:26–33; 14:16. Ho. 5:11.
3 and he delivered. Le. 26:17. De. 4:24–27; 28:25. Ju. 2:14; 3:8; 10:7–14. Is. 10:5, 6. He. 12:29. Hazael. ver. 22. See on ch. 8:12, 13; 12:17. 1 Ki. 19:17. Ben-hadad. ver. 24, 25. all their days. Rather ‘all his days;’ for Joash son of Jehoahaz delivered Israel from Ben-hadad. ver. 22–25.
4 Jehoahaz. Nu. 21:7. Ju. 6:6, 7; 10:10. Ps. 78:34. Is. 26:16. Je. 2:27. the Lord. ch. 14:26. Ge. 21:17. Ex. 3:7. Ju. 10:15, 16. 2 Ch. 33:12, 13, 19. Ps. 50:15; 106:43, 44. Je. 33:3. he saw. Ge. 31:42. Ex. 3:9. Is. 63:9. because the king. ver. 22; ch. 14:26.
5 a saviour. This saviour was undoubtedly Joash, whose successful wars are subsequently detailed. HOUBIGANT recommends to read the seventh verse after the fourth. ver. 25; ch. 14:25, 27. Ne. 9:27. Is. 19:20. Ob. 21. Lu. 2:11. beforetime. Heb. yesterday and third day. Ex. 4:10. De. 19:4. 1 Sa. 19:7. 1 Ch. 11:2.
6 departed. See on ver. 2; ch. 10:29; 17:20–23. De. 32:15–18. walked. Heb. he walked. 1 Ki. 15:3; 16:26. and there remained. Heb. and there stood. ch. 17:16; 18:4; 23:4. De. 7:5. 1 Ki. 16:33.
7 fifty horsemen. 1 Sa. 13:6, 7, 15, 19–23. 1 Ki. 20:15, 27. Is. 36:8. the king. ch. 8:12; 10:32. like the dust. Ps. 18:42. Is. 41:2, 15, 16. Joel 3:14, marg. Am. 1:3.
8 the rest. ch. 10:34, 35. See on 1 Ki. 11:4; 14:19, 20, 29, 31.
9 A.M. 3165. B.C. 839. buried him. ver. 13; ch. 10:35. 1 Ki. 14:13. Joash. ver. 10; ch. 14:8, Jehoash. reigned in his stead. ‘Alone.’
10 In the thirty. Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, was associated with his father in the government two years before his death. It is this association that is spoken of here. Joash reigned sixteen years, which include the years he reigned conjointly with his father. began Jehoash. ‘In consort with his father. ch. 14:1.’
11 he departed. See on ver. 2, 6; ch. 3:3; 10:29.
12 A.M. 3163–3179. B.C. 841–825. the rest. ver. 14–25; ch. 14:15, 25. his might. ch. 14:8–16. 2 Ch. 25:17–24.
13 slept. 2 Sa. 7:12. 1 Ki. 1:21; 2:10; 11:31. Jeroboam. ch. 14:28, 29. was buried. See on ver. 9.
14 A.M. 3166. B.C. 838. fallen sick. ch. 20:1. Ge. 48:1. Jno. 11:3. Phi. 2:26. he died. Ps. 12:1. Is. 57:1. Zec. 1:5. Ac. 13:36. O my father. ch. 2:12; 6:21. Pr. 11:11. Eze. 14:14; 22:30. Mar. 6:20.
16 Put thine hand. Heb. make thine hand to ride. Elisha. ch. 4:34. Ge. 49:24. Ps. 144:1.
17 Open. ch. 5:10–14. Jno. 2:5–8; 11:39–41. The arrow. This was a symbolical action, indicative of the deliverance of Israel from Syria. It was an ancient custom to shoot an arrow or cast a spear into a country before the commencement of hostilities. Ex. 4:2, 17. Ju. 7:9–20. 2 Sa. 5:24. 1 Co. 1:18. Aphek. 1 Sa. 4:1. 1 Ki. 20:26.
18 Smite. Is. 20:2–4. Eze. 4:1–10; 5:1–4; 12:1–7. he smote thrice. ch. 4:6. Ex. 17:11.
19 the man of God. ch. 1:9–15; 4:16, 40; 6:9. was wroth. Le. 10:16. Nu. 16:15. Mar. 3:5; 10:14. now thou shalt. ver. 25. Mar. 6:5.
20 A.M. 3167. B.C. 837. buried him. 2 Ch. 24:16. Ac. 8:2. the bands. ch. 5:2; 6:23; 24:2. the Moabites. ch. 3:5, 24–27. Ju. 3:12; 6:3–6.
21 was let down. Heb. went down. touched. ch. 4:35. Is. 26:19. Eze. 37:1–10. Mat. 27:52, 53. Jno. 5:25, 28, 29; 11:44. Ac. 5:15; 19:12. Re. 11:11.
22 A.M. 3148–3165. B.C. 856–839. Hazael. ver. 3–7; ch. 8:12. Ps. 106:40–42.
23 the Lord. ch. 14:27. Ex. 33:19; 34:6, 7. Ju. 10:16. Ne. 9:31. Ps. 86:15. Is. 30:18, 19. Je. 12:15. La. 3:32. Mi. 7:18, 19. had respect. Ex. 2:24, 25. 1 Ki. 8:28. because of his covenant. Ge. 13:16, 17; 17:2–5, 7, 8. Ex. 3:6, 7; 32:13, 14. Le. 26:42. De. 32:36. Ne. 9:32. Ps. 105:8. Mi. 7:20. Lu. 1:54, 55, 72, 73. neither cast he. ch. 17:18; 24:20. Ps. 51:11. Mat. 25:41. 2 Th. 1:9. presence. Heb. face. Ge. 6:3.
24 Hazael. Ps. 125:3. Lu. 18:7.
25 A.M. 3168. B.C. 836. took again. Heb. returned and took. Three times. ver. 18, 19.


  CHAP. 14

  Amaziah’s good reign, 1–4. His justice on the murderers of his father, 5, 6. His victory over Edom, 7. Amaziah, provoking Jehoash, is overcome and spoiled, 8–14. Jeroboam succeeds Jehoash, 15, 16. Amaziah slain by a conspiracy, 17–20. Azariah succeeds him, 21, 22. Jeroboam’s wicked reign, 23–27. Zachariah succeeds him, 28, 29.

1 A.M. 3165. B.C. 839. Joash. ver. 15; ch. 13:10. reigned Amaziah. 1 Ch. 3:12. 2 Ch. 25:1, etc.
3 A.M. 3165–3194. B.C. 839–810. he did. ch. 12:2. 1 Ki. 11:4; 15:3. 2 Ch. 25:2, 3. he did according. 2 Ch. 24:2, 17; 25:14–16. Je. 16:19. Zec. 1:4–6. 1 Pe. 1:18.
4 the high places. ch. 12:3; 15:4, 35.
5 A.M. 3166. B.C. 838. that he slew. Ge. 9:6. Ex. 21:12–14. Nu. 35:33. his servants. ch. 12:20, 21. 2 Ch. 25:3, 4.
6 The fathers. De. 24:16. Eze. 18:4, 20.
7 A.M. 3177. B.C. 827. slew. ch. 8:20–22. 2 Ch. 25:11, 12. the valley of salt. Some suppose that the Valley of Salt was south of the Dead, or Salt Sea, towards the land of Edom; and others suppose it to be the Valley of Salt, about three or four miles south-east of Palmyra, which now supplies, in a great measure, the surrounding country with salt. 2 Sa. 8:13. 1 Ch. 18:12. Ps. 60, title. Selah. or, the rock. Selah is generally supposed to be the same as Petra, which in Greek signifies a rock, the celebrated capital of Arabia Petræa. STRABO places it three or four days’ journey from Jericho, and five days’ journey from the forest of palm trees on the Red Sea. PLINY places it 600 miles from Gaza, and 125 from the Persian Gulf; but CELLARIUS and RELAND very justly consider that the numbers have been changed, and that we ought to read 125 miles from Gaza, and 600 from the Persian Gulf. EUSEBIUS places Beerothbenejaakan 30 miles west from Petra, and Elath ten miles east; and BURCKHARDT discovered the ruins of this ancient city in a valley called Wady Mousa. Joktheel. Jos. 15:38.
8 A.M. 3178. B.C. 826. Amaziah. 2 Ch. 25:17–24. Come. ver. 11. 2 Sa. 2:14–17. Pr. 13:10; 17:14; 18:6; 20:18; 25:8.
9 The thistle. Ju. 9:8–15. 2 Sa. 12:1–4. 1 Ki. 4:33. Eze. 20:49. The word choach, which is rendered here, and in 2 Ch. 25:18. Job 31:18, thistle, in 1 Sa. 13:6, thicket, in Is. 34:13, bramble, and in 2 Ch. 33:11. Pr. 26:9. Ca. 2:2. Ho. 9:6, thorn, is probably the black thorn, or sloe tree, the prunus spinosa of LINNÆUS, as the same word signifies in Arabic. There is a vast deal of insolent dignity in this remonstrance of Jehoash; but it has nothing conciliatory; no proposal of making amends for the injury his army had done to the unoffending inhabitants of Judah. (2 Ch. 25:10–13.) The comparatively useless thorn, which may by chance lacerate the incautious passenger, is made the emblem of the house of Judah and David, while the house of Jehu is represented by the stately cedar.
10 thine heart. De. 8:14. 2 Ch. 26:16; 32:25. Pr. 16:18. Eze. 38:2, 5, 17. Da. 5:20–23. Hab. 2:4. Ja. 4:6. glory of this. Ex. 8:9. Je. 9:23, 24. Ja. 1:9. home. Heb. thy house. why shouldest. 2 Ch. 35:21. Pr. 3:30; 15:18; 17:14; 20:3; 25:8; 26:17. Lu. 14:31, 32.
11 Amaziah. 2 Ch. 25:16, 20. Beth-shemesh. Jos. 19:38; 21:16. 1 Sa. 6:9, etc.
12 was put to the worse. Heb. was smitten. they fled. 1 Sa. 4:10. 2 Sa. 18:17. 1 Ki. 22:36.
13 took Amaziah. ch. 25:6. 2 Ch. 33:11; 36:6, 10. Job 40:11, 12. Pr. 16:18; 29:23. Is. 2:11, 12. Da. 4:37. Lu. 14:11. the gate of Ephraim. 2 Ch. 25:23, 24. Ne. 8:16; 12:39. the corner. Je. 31:38. Zec. 14:10.
14 all the gold. ch. 24:13; 25:15. 1 Ki. 7:51; 14:26; 15:18. and hostages. ch. 18:23, marg.
15 A.M. 3163–3179. B.C. 841–825. the rest. ch. 10:35, 35; 13:12. 1 Ki. 14:19, 20.
16 A.M. 3179. B.C. 825. Jehoash. See on 2 Sa. 7:12. 1 Ki. 1:21. was buried. See on ch. 13:9. Jeroboam. ch. 13:13. Ho. 1:1. Am. 1:1; 7:10, 11.
17 A.M. 3179–3194. B.C. 825–810. Amaziah. ver. 1, 2, 23; ch. 13:10. 2 Ch. 25:25, etc.
18 ch. 13:8, 12. 1 Ki. 11:41; 14:29.
19 A.M. 3194. B.C. 810. they made. ch. 12:20, 21; 15:10, 14, 25, 30; 21:23. 2 Ch. 25:27, 28. fled to Lachish. Jos. 10:31. Mi. 1:13.
20 he was buried. ch. 8:24; 9:28; 12:21. 1 Ki. 2:10; 11:43. 2 Ch. 21:20; 26:23; 33:20.
21 Azariah. ch. 15:13. 2 Ch. 26:1, Uzziah. Mat. 1:8, 9, Ozias. made him king. ch. 21:24. 1 Ch. 3:12.
22 Elath. Elath, the Æla or Elana of the Greek and Roman writers, was a celebrated port situated at the extremity of the eastern branch of the Red Sea, hence called the Elanitic Gulf, ten miles east from Petra, according to EUSEBIUS, and 150 Roman miles from Gaza, according to PLINY, but 1260 stadia, or 157 miles, according to STRABO and MARCIANUS HERECLEOTA. It is now called Akaba, and is nothing but a tower or castle, surrounded by a large grove of date trees, the residence of a governor, dependent on him of Grand Cairo. ch. 16:6. De. 2:8. 1 Ki. 9:26. 2 Ch. 26:2, Eloth.
23 A.M. 3179–3220. B.C. 825–784. the fifteenth. ver. 17. Jeroboam. ver. 27. Ho. 1:1. Am. 1:1; 7:9–11. began to reign. ‘Now he begins to reign alone.’
24 in the sight. ch. 21:6. Ge. 38:7. De. 9:18. 1 Ki. 21:25. he departed. See on ch. 13:2, 6, 11. 1 Ki. 12:28, etc. Ps. 106:20.
25 from the entering. Nu. 13:21; 34:7, 8. Eze. 47:16–18. Am. 6:14. unto the sea. Ge. 14:3. De. 3:17. Jonah. Jon. 1:1. Mat. 12:39, 40; 16:4, Jonas. Gath-hepher. Jos. 19:13, Gittah-hepher.
26 saw the affliction. ch. 13:4. Ex. 3:7, 9. Ju. 10:16. Ps. 106:43–45. Is. 63:9. not any shut. De. 32:36. 1 Ki. 14:10; 21:21.
27 said not. ch. 13:23. Ho. 1:6. blot out. Ex. 32:32, 33. De. 9:14; 25:19; 29:20. Ps. 69:28. Ro. 11:2, etc. Re. 3:5. he saved. ch. 5:1; 13:5. Ho. 1:7. Tit. 3:4–6.
28 the rest. See on ver. 15. Damascus. 2 Sa. 8:6. 1 Ki. 11:24. 1 Ch. 18:5, 6. 2 Ch. 8:3, 4. which belonged to Judah. These places belonged to Judah by David’s conquest, (2 Sa. 3:11,) but had been repossessed by the Syrians.
29 A.M. 3220. B.C. 784. Zachariah. ch. 15:8. reigned. ‘After an interregnum of eleven years.’


  CHAP. 15

  Azariah’s good reign, 1–4. He dying a leper, Jotham succeeds, 5–7. Zachariah the last of Jehu’s generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum, 8–12. Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Menahem, 13–15. Menahem strengthens himself by Pul, 16–20. Pekahiah succeeds him, 21, 22. Pekahiah is slain by Pekah, 23–26. Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-pileser, and slain by Hoshea, 27–31. Jotham’s good reign, 32–35. Ahaz succeeds him, 36–38.

1 A.M. 3194. B.C. 810. In the. ver. 8; ch. 14:16, 17. twenty and seventh. ‘This is the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam’s partnership in the kingdom with his father, who made him consort at his going to the Syrian wars. It is the sixteenth year of Jeroboam’s monarchy.’ Azariah. ver. 13, 30, etc.; ch. 14:21. 2 Ch. 26:1, 3, 4, Uzziah.
3 ch. 12:2, 3; 14:3, 4. 2 Ch. 26:4.
4 the high places. ver. 35; ch. 14:4; 18:4. 1 Ki. 15:14; 22:43. 2 Ch. 17:6; 32:12; 34:3.
5 A.M. 3239–3246. B.C. 765–758. the Lord. 2 Sa. 3:29. 2 Ch. 26:16–20. Job 34:19. so that. ch. 5:27. Nu. 12:10. and dwelt. ch. 7:3. Le. 13:46. Nu. 12:14. De. 24:8. Jotham. 2 Ch. 26:21, 23. judging. 2 Sa. 8:15; 15:2–4. 1 Ki. 3:9, 28. Ps. 72:1.
6 Azariah. Dr. KENNICOTT complains loudly here of ‘the corruption in the name of this king of Judah, who is expressed by four different names in this chapter: Ozriah, Oziah, Ozrihu, and Ozihu. Our oldest Hebrew MS. relieves us here, by reading truly, in verses 1, 6, 7, Uzziah, where the printed text is differently corrupted. This reading is called true, 1. Because it is supported by the Syriac and Arabic versions in these three verses. 2. Because the printed text itself has it so in ver. 32 and 34 of this very chapter. 3. Because it is so expressed in the parallel place in Chronicles: and 4. because it is not Αζαριας, Azarias, but Οζιας, Ozias, (Uzziah) in St. Matthew’s genealogy.’ they not written. See on ch. 14:18. 2 Ch. 26:5–15.
7 A.M. 3246. B.C. 758. 2 Ch. 26:23. Is. 6:1, Uzziah.
8 A.M. 3231. B.C. 773. the thirty. ‘There having been an interregnum for eleven years.’ ver. 1; ch. 14:16, 17, 21. Zachariah. ch. 14:29.
9 as his. See on ch. 10:29, 31; 13:2, 11; 14:24.
10 A.M. 3232. B.C. 772. smote him. ‘As prophesied. Am. 7:9.’ slew him. ver. 14, 25, 30; ch. 9:24, 31. 1 Ki. 15:28; 16:9, 10. Ho. 1:4, 5.
11 See on ch. 14, 28.
12 A.M. 3120. B.C. 884. the word. ch. 10:30. Thy son. ch. 13:1, 10, 13; 14:29. And so. ch. 9:25, 26, 36, 37; 10:10. Nu. 23:19. Zec. 1:6. Mar. 13:31. Jno. 10:35; 19:24, 36, 37. Ac. 1:16.
13 A.M. 3232. B.C. 772. Uzziah. ver. 1, Azariah. Mat. 1:8, 9, Ozias. a full month. Heb. a month of days. 1 Ki. 16:15. Job 20:15. Ps. 55:23. Pr. 28:2, 17.
14 Tirzah. 1 Ki. 14:17; 15:21, 33; 16:8, 9, 15, 17. and smote. See on ver. 10.
15 See on ver. 11. 1 Ki. 14:19, 29; 22:39.
16 Tiphzah. 1 Ki. 4:24. all the women. ch. 8:12. Am. 1:13.
17 A.M. 3232–3243. B.C. 772–761. nine. ver. 13.
18 See on ver. 9.
19 A.M. 3233. B.C. 771. Pul. PRIDEAUX supposes that this Pul was the father of the famous Sardanapalus, who was called Sardan with his father’s name Pul annexed, as was frequent in those times, making Sardanpul: thus Merodach, king of Babylon, was Merodach-Baladan, because he was the son of Baladan. This Pul began to reign, according to USHER, A.M. 3237, the fifth year of Menahem; and he is supposed to be the same that reigned in Nineveh, when Jonah preached in that city. 1 Ch. 5:25, 26. Is. 9:1. Menahem. ch. 12:18; 16:8; 17:3, 4; 18:16. Ho. 5:13; 8:9, 10; 10:6. to confirm. ch. 14:5. Je. 17:5.
20 Menahem. ch. 23:35. exacted. Heb. caused to come forth. the mighty. Ru. 2:1. 2 Sa. 19:32. Job 1:3. of each man, etc. Or rather, as Bishop PATRICK renders, ‘to give to the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each man,’ i.e. in his army. It may be supposed, that Menahem compelled ‘the mighty men of wealth’ to give much more a-piece than this sum, (somewhat about 5l. sterling each) and each of them in some proportion to his affluence. stayed not. ver. 29; ch. 17:3, 4; 18:14–17.
21 A.M. 3232–3243. B.C. 772–761. See on ver. 15.
23 A.M. 3243. B.C. 761. and reigned two years. ch. 21:19. 1 Ki. 15:25; 16:8; 22:51. Job 20:5.
24 A.M. 3243–3245. B.C. 761–759. See on ver. 9, 18.
25 A.M. 3245. B.C. 759. Pekah. ver. 27. 2 Ch. 28:6. a captain. ch. 9:5. 1 Ki. 16:9. conspired. ver. 10; ch. 9:14. with Argob. From the construction of the Hebrew text, it would appear that Argob and Arieh were slain with the king, and that the fifty Gileadites were conspirators with Pekah.
26 See on ver. 15.
27 A.M. 3245–3265. B.C. 759–739. the two. ver. 2, 8, 13, 23. Pekah. ver. 25, 37. Is. 7:1, 4, 9.
28 evil. See on ver. 9, 18; ch. 13:2, 6; 21:2.
29 Tiglath-pileser. Some suppose Tiglath-pileser to be the son of Sardanapalus: but the learned PRIDEAUX makes him the same as Arbaces the Mede, called by ÆLIAN, Thelgamus, and by CASTOR, Ninus Junior, who, with Belesis, headed the conspiracy against Sardanapalus, and fixed his royal seat at Nineveh, as Belesis, called in Scripture Baladan (Is. 39:1), did his at Babylon. He reigned nineteen years, from A.M. 3257 to A.M. 3276. ch. 16:7. 1 Ch. 5:6, 26. 2 Ch. 28:20, 21, Tiglath-pilneser. Is. 9:1. Ijon. 1 Ki. 15:20. 2 Ch. 16:4. Abel-beth-maachah. 2 Sa. 20:14, 15. Janoah. Jos. 16:6, Janohah. Kedesh. Jos. 19:37; 20:7. Hazor. Jos. 11:1, 10, 13; 12:19. Ju. 4:2. Gilead. Nu. 32:1, 40. De. 3:15. Am. 1:3, 13. Galilee. Jos. 20:7. 1 Ki. 9:11. Is. 9:1, 2. Mat. 4:15, 16. carried them. ch. 17:6, 23. Le. 26:32, 38, 39. De. 4:26, 27; 28:25, 64, 65. Is. 1:7; 7:20.
30 A.M. 3265. B.C. 739. made. See on ver. 10, 25. and smote. Ho. 10:3, 7, 15. reigned. ‘After an anarchy for some years.’ in the twentieth. ‘In the fourth year of Ahaz, in the twentieth year after Jotham had begun to reign.’—USHER. ver. 32, 33; ch. 16:1; 17:1. 2 Ch. 28:4–6, 16. Is. 7:1–9; 8:6.
32 A.M. 3246. B.C. 758. Jotham. ver. 7. 1 Ch. 3:12. 2 Ch. 27:1, etc. Mat. 1:9, Joatham. Uzziah. See on ver. 1, 7, 13, 17, 23, 27; ch. 14:21. 1 Ch. 3:12, Azariah.
33 A.M. 3246–3262. B.C. 758–742. Jerusha. 2 Ch. 27:1, Jerushah.
34 according. ver. 3, 4. 2 Ch. 26:4, 5; 27:2.
35 Howbeit. See on ver. 4; ch. 18:4. 2 Ch. 32:12. the higher gate. 2 Ch. 27:3, etc.
36 the rest. See on ver. 6, 7. 2 Ch. 27:4–9.
37 A.M. 3262. B.C. 742. In those days. ‘At the end of Jotham’s reign.’ This Jotham died at forty-one. He was too great a blessing to be continued long to such an unworthy people. His death was a judgment, especially considering the character of Ahaz, his son and successor: for we read (ch. 16:3) Ahaz made his son pass through the fire. This son may have been Hezekiah, who served the Lord, and whose prayer in sickness was most graciously heard and answered. Is. ch. 38. began. ch. 10:32. 1 Sa. 3:12. Je. 25:29. Lu. 21:28. to send. De. 28:48. Ps. 78:49. Is. 10:5–7. Je. 16:16; 43:10. Rezin. ch. 16:5. 2 Ch. 28:6. Is. 7:1, 8. Ho. 5:12, 13. Pekah. See on ver. 27.
38 Jotham. See on 2 Sa. 7:12. 1 Ki. 1:2; 14:20, 31. Ahaz. ch. 16:1. 1 Ch. 3:13. 2 Ch. 28:1. Mat. 1:9, Achaz.


  CHAP. 16

  Ahaz’s wicked reign, 1–4. Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-pileser against them, 5–9. Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah, diverts the brazen altar to his own devotions, 10–16. He spoils the temple, 17, 18. Hezekiah succeeds him, 19, 20.

1 seventeenth. ch. 15:27–30, 32, 33. Ahaz. See on ch. 15:38. 2 Ch. 28:1, etc. Is. 1:1; 7:1. Ho. 1:1. Mi. 1:1.
2 did not. ch. 14:3; 15:3, 34; 18:3; 22:2. 1 Ki. 3:14; 9:4; 11:4–8; 15:3. 2 Ch. 17:3; 29:2; 34:2, 3.
3 he walked. ch. 8:18. 1 Ki. 12:28–30; 16:31–33; 21:25, 26; 22:52, 53. 2 Ch. 22:3; 28:2–4. made his son. ch. 17:17; 23:10. Le. 18:21; 20:2. De. 12:31; 18:10. 2 Ch. 33:6. Ps. 106:37, 38. Je. 32:35. Eze. 16:21; 20:26, 31. according. ch. 21:2, 11. De. 12:31. 1 Ki. 14:24. 2 Ch. 33:2. Ps. 106:35. Eze. 16:47.
4 on the hills. De. 12:2. 1 Ki. 14:23. Is. 57:5–7; 65:4; 66:17. Je. 17:2. Eze. 20:28, 29.
5 A.M. 3262. B.C. 742. Rezin. ch. 15:37. 2 Ch. 28:5–15. Is. 7:1, 2, etc. but could not. 1 Ki. 11:36; 15:4. Is. 7:4–6, 14; 8:6, 9, 10; 9:6, 7.
6 recovered. ch. 14:22. De. 2:8. Elath. Heb. Eloth. 1 Ki. 9:26. 2 Ch. 26:2.
7 Tiglath-pileser. Heb. Tilgath-pileser. See on ch. 15:29. 1 Ch. 5:26, etc. 2 Ch. 28:20, Tilgath-pilneser. I am thy servant. 1 Ki. 20:4, 32, 33. and save. Ps. 146:3–5. Je. 17:5. La. 4:17. Ho. 14:3.
8 the silver. ver. 17, 18; ch. 12:17, 18; 18:15, 16. 2 Ch. 16:2; 28:20, 21. to the king. Ps. 7:15, 16. Is. 7:17; 8:7, 8.
9 A.M. 3264. B.C. 740. went up. 2 Ch. 28:5. Foretold. Am. 1:3–5. Damascus. Heb. Dammesek. Kir. JOSEPHUS informs us that this place was in Upper Media; and it is clear that it must be understood of some city or country in the dominions of the king of Assyria. It is highly probable that it was the country on the banks of the river Κυρος, Cyrus, or Kyrus, now called Kur, or Kura; and we find cities called Cyropolis, Cyrena, and Carine, mentioned by writers as lying in these parts; and a part of Media, called Syromedia, as it is thought, from the Syrians who were carried captive thither. Is. 22:6. Am. 9:7. slew Rezin. Is. 7:16; 9:11.
10 saw an altar. De. 12:30. 2 Ch. 28:23–25. Je. 10:2. Eze. 23:16, 17. Ro. 12:2. 1 Pe. 1:18. the pattern. Ex. 24:4; 39:43. 1 Ch. 28:11, 12, 19. Ps. 106:39. Eze. 43:8, 11. Mat. 15:6, 9.
11 built an altar. 1 Ki. 21:11–13. 2 Ch. 26:17, 18. Je. 23:11. Eze. 22:26. Da. 3:7. Ho. 4:6; 5:11. Mal. 2:7–9. Gal. 1:10. Urijah. Is. 8:2.
12 approached. 1 Ki. 13:1. 2 Ch. 26:16–19; 28:23, 25. offered thereon. Nu. 18:4–7.
13 he burnt. Le. ch. 1–3. of his peace-offerings. Heb. of the peace-offerings which were his.
14 the brasen. Ex. 40:6, 29. 2 Ch. 1:5; 4:1. Mat. 23:35. the altar. ver. 10–12.
15 the morning. ch. 3:20. Ex. 29:39–41. Nu. 28:2–10. Da. 9:21, 27; 11:31; 12:11. the king’s burnt. Le. 4:13–26. 2 Sa. 6:17, 18. 1 Ki. 3:4; 8:64. 2 Ch. 7:4, 5; 29:21–24, 32, 35. Eze. 46:4–7, 12–14. for me to enquire by. ch. 18:4. Ge. 44:5. 2 Ch. 33:6. Is. 2:6. Ho. 4:12.
16 See on ver. 11. Ac. 4:19; 5:29. 1 Th. 2:4. Jude 11.
17 A.M. 3265. B.C. 739. cut off. 2 Ch. 28:24; 29:19. borders. 1 Ki. 7:23, 27–39. 2 Ch. 4:14. sea. ch. 25:13–16. 1 Ki. 7:23–26. 2 Ch. 4:15. Je. 52:20.
18 the covert. There are a great number of conjectures concerning this covert; but it is probable that it was either, as LOCKE supposes, a sort of shelter or canopy erected for the people on the sabbath when the crowd was too great for the porch to contain them; or, as Dr. GEDDES supposes, a seat, covered with a canopy, placed on an elevation, for the king and his court, when they attended public worship. ch. 11:5. 1 Ki. 10:5. Eze. 46:2.
19 A.M. 3262–3278. B.C. 742–726. ch. 15:6, 7, 36, 38; 20:20, 21. 1 Ki. 14:29.
20 A.M. 3278. B.C. 726. buried. ch. 21:18, 26. 2 Ch. 28:27. Hezekiah. ch. 18:1. 1 Ch. 3:13. 2 Ch. 29:1. Is. 1:1. Ho. 1:1. Mi. 1:1. Mat. 1:9, Ezekias.


  CHAP. 17

  Hoshea’s wicked reign, 1, 2. Being subdued by Shalmaneser, he conspires against him with So, king of Egypt, 3, 4. Samaria for sinning is led into captivity, 5–23. The strange nations which were transplanted into Samaria, being plagued with lions, make a mixture of religions, 24–41.

1 A.M. 3274. B.C. 730. In the twelfth. In ch. 15:30, this is said to be ‘the twentieth year of Jotham,’ which CALMET thus reconciles: ‘Hosea conspired against Pekah, the 20th year of the reign of this prince, which was the 18th of Jotham, king of Judah. Two years after this, that is, the 4th of Ahaz and the 20th of Jotham, Hosea made himself master of a part of the kingdom, according to ch. 15:30. Finally, the 12th year of Ahaz, Hosea had peaceable possession of the whole kingdom, agreeably to ch. 17:1.’ Hoshea. ‘After an interregnum, ch. 15:30; 18:9.’
2 but not as the kings. ch. 3:2; 10:31; 13:2, 11; 15:9, 18, 24. 2 Ch. 30:5–11.
3 Shalmaneser. This was the son and successor of Tiglath-pileser: he reigned 14 years, from A.M. 3276 to 3290. ch. 18:9. Ho. 10:14, Shalman. king of Assyria. ch. 15:19, 29; 16:7; 18:13; 19:36, 37. Is. 7:7, 8; 10:5, 6, 11, 12. and Hoshea. ch. 16:8; 18:14–16, 31. gave. Heb. rendered. presents. or, tribute. 2 Sa. 8:2, 6.
4 A.M. 3279. B.C. 725. found conspiracy. ch. 24:1, 20. Eze. 17:13–19. king of Egypt. ch. 18:21. Is. 30:1–4; 31:1–3. Eze. 17:15. brought. ch. 18:14, 15. bound him. ch. 25:7. 2 Ch. 32:11. Ps. 149:7, 8.
5 A.M. 3281–3283. B.C. 723–721. the king. ch. 18:9. three years. ch. 25:1–3. Je. 52:4, 5.
6 A.M. 3283. B.C. 721. the king of Assyria. ch. 18:10, 11. Ho. 1:6, 9; 13:16, foretold. carried. Le. 26:32, 33, 38. De. 4:25–28; 28:36, 64; 29:27, 28; 30:18. 1 Ki. 14:15, 16. Am. 5:27. Halah. ch. 19:12. 1 Ch. 5:26. Is. 37:12, 13. the Medes. Is. 13:17; 21:2. Da. 5:28.
7 sinned. De. 31:16, 17, 29; 32:15, etc. Jos. 23:16. Ju. 2:14–17. 2 Ch. 36:14–16. Ne. 9:26. Ps. 106:35–41. Eze. 23:2, etc. Ho. 4:1–3; 8:5–14. the Lord. ch. 16:2. 1 Ki. 11:4; 15:3. 2 Ch. 36:5. which had. See on Ex. 20:2. and had feared. ver. 35. Je. 10:5.
8 walked. ch. 16:3, 10; 21:2. Le. 18:3, 27–30. De. 12:30, 31; 18:9. 1 Ki. 12:28; 16:31–33; 21:26. Ps. 106:35. Je. 10:2. of the kings of Israel. Ho. 5:11. Mi. 6:16.
9 secretly. De. 13:6; 27:15. Job 31:27. Eze. 8:12. from the tower. ch. 18:8. Ho. 12:11.
10 they set. ch. 16:4. Ex. 34:13. Le. 26:1. 1 Ki. 14:23. Is. 57:5. images. Heb. statues. groves. De. 16:21. Mi. 5:14. in every. ch. 16:4. 1 Ki. 14:23. De. 12:2, 3.
11 burnt. 1 Ki. 13:1. 2 Ch. 28:25. Je. 44:17. to provoke. ch. 21:6. Ps. 78:56–58.
12 whereof. Ex. 20:3–5; 34:14. Le. 26:1. De. 4:19; 5:7–9. Ye shall not. De. 4:15–19, 23–25; 12:4.
13 testified. De. 8:19; 31:21. Ne. 9:29, 30. Ps. 50:7; 81:8, 9. Je. 42:19. Ac. 20:21. and against. 2 Ch. 36:15, 16. Je. 3:8–11. Ho. 4:15. all. Heb. the hand of all. De. 4:26. Jos. 23:16. Ju. 6:10; 10:11–14. 1 Sa. 12:7–15. Is. 1:5–15, 21–24. Je. 5:29–31. Zec. 1:3–6. seers. See on 1 Sa. 9:9. 1 Ch. 29:29. Turn ye. Is. 1:16–20; 55:6, 7. Je. 7:3–7; 18:11; 25:4, 5; 35:15. Eze. 18:31. Ho. 14:1. 2 Pe. 3:9. keep. Je. 7:22, 23; 26:4–6.
14 but hardened. De. 31:27. 2 Ch. 36:13. Pr. 29:1. Is. 48:4. Je. 7:26. Ro. 2:4, 5. He. 3:7, 8. did not believe. De. 1:32. Ps. 78:22, 32; 106:24. He. 3:12.
15 they rejected. Je. 8:9. his covenant. Ex. 24:6–8. De. 29:10–15, 25, 26. Je. 31:32. testimonies. De. 6:17, 18. 2 Ch. 36:15, 16. Ne. 9:26, 29, 30. Je. 44:4, 23. vanity. De. 32:21, 31. 1 Sa. 12:21. 1 Ki. 16:13. Ps. 115:8. Je. 10:8, 15. Jon. 2:8. became vain. Je. 2:5. Ro. 1:21–23. 1 Co. 8:4. concerning whom. ver. 8, 11, 12. De. 12:30, 31. 2 Ch. 33:2, 9.
16 molten images. Ex. 32:4, 8. 1 Ki. 12:28. Ps. 106:18–20. Is. 44:9, 10. a grove. ver. 10. 1 Ki. 14:15, 23; 15:13; 16:33. worshipped. De. 4:19. Je. 8:2. Baal. ch. 10:18–28; 11:18. 1 Ki. 16:31; 22:53.
17 they caused. ch. 16:3; 21:6. Le. 18:21. 2 Ch. 28:3. Ps. 106:37, 38. Eze. 20:26, 31; 23:37, 39. used. ch. 21:6. De. 18:10–12. 2 Ch. 33:6. Is. 8:19; 47:9, 12, 13. Je. 27:9. Mi. 5:12. Ac. 16:16. Ga. 5:26. sold. 1 Ki. 21:20, 25. Is. 50:1. in the sight. ver. 11; ch. 21:6.
18 removed. ch. 13:23; 23:27. De. 29:20–28; 32:21–26. Jos. 23:13, 15. Je. 15:1. Ho. 9:3. the tribe. 1 Ki. 11:13, 32, 36; 12:20. Ho. 11:12.
19 Also Judah. 1 Ki. 14:22, 23. 2 Ch. 21:11, 13. Je. 2:28; 3:8–11. Eze. 16:51, 52; 22:2–16; 23:4–13. walked. ch. 8:18, 27; 16:3.
20 rejected. ver. 15. 1 Sa. 15:23, 26; 16:1. Je. 6:30. Ro. 11:1, 2. all the seed. 1 Ch. 16:13. Ne. 9:2. Is. 45:25. Je. 31:36, 37; 33:24–26; 46:28. delivered. ch. 13:3, 7; 15:18–20, 29; 18:9. 2 Ch. 28:5, 6. Ne. 9:27, 28. until he had cast. See on ver. 18. De. 11:12. Jon. 1:3, 10. Mat. 25:41. 2 Th. 1:9.
21 For he rent. 1 Ki. 11:11, 31; 14:8. Is. 7:17. they made. 1 Ki. 12:19, 20. 2 Ch. 10:15–19. Jeroboam drave. See on 1 Ki. 12:20, 28–30; 14:16. 2 Ch. 11:11, 15. a great sin. Ge. 20:9. Ex. 32:21. 1 Sa. 2:17, 24. Ps. 25:11. Jno. 19:11.
22 walked in all the sins. See on ch. 3:3; 10:29, 31; 13:2, 6, 11; 15:9.
23 the Lord. See on ver. 18, 20. as he had said. See on ver. 13. 1 Ki. 13:2; 14:16. Ho. 1:4–9. Am. 5:27. Mi. 1:6. So was Israel. ver. 6; ch. 18:11, 12.
24 A.M. 3326. B.C. 678. the king. Ezr. 4:2–10. Babylon. ver. 30. 2 Ch. 33:11. Ava. ver. 31; ch. 18:31. Is. 37:13, Ivah. Hamath. ch. 19:13. Is. 10:9; 36:19. in the cities thereof. ver. 6. Mat. 10:5.
25 they feared. ver. 28, 32, 34, 41. Jos. 22:25. Je. 10:7. Da. 6:26. Jon. 1:9. the Lord sent. ch. 2:24. 1 Ki. 13:24; 20:36. Je. 5:6; 15:3. Eze. 14:15, 21.
26 and placed. See on ver. 24. know not. ver. 27. 1 Sa. 8:9; 10:25. Am. 8:14.
27 one of the priests. Ju. 17:13. 1 Ki. 12:31; 13:2. 2 Ch. 11:15.
28 in Bethel. 1 Ki. 12:29–32. taught them. Is. 29:13. Mat. 15:14.
29 made gods. Ps. 115:4–8; 135:15–18. Is. 44:9–20. Je. 10:3–5. Ho. 8:5, 6. Mi. 4:5. Ro. 1:23.
30 Babylon. ver. 24. Succoth benoth. Succoth-benoth, literally ‘the tents of the daughters.’ Cuth. Cuth is probably the Cush watered by the Gihon, or Araxes, now Aras, (Ge. 2:13,) the ancient country of the Scythians, where we meet with the Quitians, Coëthians, or Coëtæ, and Cytheans, and the cities of Cotatis, Cetemane, Cythanum, Cyta, Cethena, etc. Nergal. Supposed to denote the solar orb; the emblem of which, according to the Rabbins, was a cock. Ashima. JARCHI says this idol was of the form of a goat.
31 the Avites. ver. 24. Ezr. 4:9. Nibhaz. Supposed to be the same as the Anubis of the Egyptians; and was in form partly a dog and partly a man. burnt their children. See on ver. 17. Le. 18:21. De. 12:28, 31.
32 made unto themselves. 1 Ki. 12:31; 13:33. the houses. ver. 29; ch. 23:19. 1 Ki. 13:31.
33 They feared. ver. 41. 1 Ki. 18:21. Ho. 10:2. Zep. 1:5. Mat. 6:24. Lu. 16:13. whom they carried, etc. or, who carried them away from thence. The new inhabitants of the land imitated the idolatrous Israelites, by associating their idols with Jehovah, as the objects of worship. The remainder, however, of the verses seem to relate to the Israelites after they were carried captive. They still persevered in idolatry and disobedience; and not being purified, were left to be consumed in the furnace. It is said that the Israelites ‘did not fear the Lord,’ yet the heathens, who followed their example, are said ‘to have feared the Lord.’ The Israelites did not so much as fear the wrath of Almighty God; but, on the other hand, the poor pagans feared the power of his wrath, and to avert it paid some ignorant worship, according to the wretched instructions given them. As this was an external acknowledgment of his power and Godhead, and a homage paid to him, he was pleased in consequence to withdraw his judgments from them.—SCOTT.
34 fear not. See on ver. 25, 27, 28, 33. whom he named Israel. Ge. 32:28; 33:20; 35:10. 1 Ki. 11:31; 18:11. Is. 48:1.
35 With whom. ver. 15. Ex. 19:5, 6; 24:6–8. De. 29:10–15. Je. 31:31–34. He. 8:6–13. charged them. Ex. 20:4, 5; 34:12–17. De. 4:23–27; 13:1, etc. Jos. 23:7, 16. fear other gods. Ju. 6:10. Je. 10:5.
36 a stretched. See on Ex. 6:6; 9:15. De. 5:15. Je. 32:21. Ac. 4:30. him shall ye fear. Le. 19:32. De. 6:13; 10:20; 12:5, 6, 11, 12. Mat. 10:28. Re. 15:4.
37 the statutes. Le. 19:37. De. 4:44, 45; 5:31–33; 6:1, 2; 12:32. 1 Ch. 29:19. Ps. 19:8–11; 105:44, 45. wrote for you. De. 31:9, 11. Ne. 9:13, 14. and ye shall not. See on ver. 35.
38 ye shall not forget. De. 4:23; 6:12; 8:14–18.
39 the Lord. See on ver. 36. 1 Sa. 12:24. Is. 8:12–14. Je. 10:7. Mat. 10:28. Lu. 1:50. he shall deliver. Ne. 9:27. Lu. 1:71, 74, 75.
40 they did not. Je. 13:23. but they did. See on ver. 8, 12, 34. De. 4:28.
41 these nations. ver. 32, 33. Jos. 24:14–20. 1 Ki. 18:21. Zep. 1:5. Mat. 6:24. Re. 3:15, 16. unto this day. Ezr. 4:1–3.


  CHAP. 18

  Hezekiah’s good reign, 1–3. He destroys idolatry, and prospers, 4–8. The inhabitants of Samaria are carried captive for their sins, 9–12. Sennacherib invading Judah, is pacified by a tribute, 13–16. Rab-shakeh, by blasphemous persuasions, solicits the people to revolt, 17–37.

1 A.M. 3278. B.C. 726. in the third. ver. 9; ch. 15:30; 17:1. Hezekiah. ch. 16:20. 1 Ch. 3:13. 2 Ch. 28:27; 29:1. Mat. 1:9, 10, Ezekias.
2 Twenty and five years old. As Ahaz was 20 years old when he began to reign, and died when he had reigned 16 years, his whole age only amounted to 36 years; and as Hezekiah was, at least, entering on his 25th year when he began to reign, then Ahaz must have been under 12 years of age when his son was born! This is not at all impossible: and there are well-attested facts of men having children at as early a period, especially in eastern countries. A.M. 3278–3306. B.C. 726–698. Abi. 2 Ch. 29:1, Abijah.
3 right in the sight. ch. 20:3. Ex. 15:26. De. 6:18. 2 Ch. 31:20, 21. Job 33:27. Ps. 119:128. Ro. 7:12. Ep. 6:1. according. ch. 22:2. 1 Ki. 3:14; 11:4, 38; 15:5, 11. 2 Ch. 29:2.
4 removed. ch. 12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35. Le. 26:30. 1 Ki. 3:2, 3; 15:14; 22:43. Ps. 78:58. Eze. 20:28, 29. brake. ch. 23:4. De. 7:5; 12:2, 3. Ju. 6:25, 28. 1 Ki. 15:12, 13. 2 Ch. 19:3; 31:1; 33:3. images. Heb. statues. the brasen serpent. Nu. 21:8, 9. Jno. 3:14, 15. unto those days. ch. 16:15. Nehushtan. that is, a piece of brass.
5 trusted. ch. 19:10. 2 Ch. 32:7, 8. Job 13:15. Ps. 13:5; 27:1, 2; 46:1, 2; 84:12; 146:5, 6. Je. 17:7, 8. Mat. 27:43. Ep. 1:12. after him. ch. 19:15–19; 23:25. 2 Ch. 14:11; 16:7–9; 20:20, 35.
6 he clave. None of the kings of Judah, from the time of the division of the kingdom, equalled Hezekiah in the stedfastness and simplicity of his dependence upon the Lord; in which he aspired to an equality with his progenitor David, who had reigned over the whole land. Even Asa, through weakness of faith, sought the assistance of a heathen prince; and Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with idolatrous Ahab; but Hezekiah clave to the Lord, in entire confidence and unreserved obedience, to the end of his life. De. 10:20. Jos. 23:8. Ac. 11:23. from following him. Heb. from after him. kept. ch. 17:13, 16, 19. Je. 11:4. Jno. 14:15, 21; 15:10, 14. 1 Jno. 5:3.
7 And the Lord. Ge. 21:22; 39:2, 3. 1 Sa. 18:14. 2 Ch. 15:2. Ps. 46:11; 60:12. Mat. 1:23; 28:20. Ac. 7:9, 10. he prospered. Ge. 39:2. 1 Sa. 18:5, 14, marg. 2 Sa. 8:6, 14. 2 Ch. 31:21; 32:30. Ps. 1:3; 60:12. Ro. 8:31. rebelled. ver. 20; ch. 16:7.
8 the Philistines. 1 Ch. 4:41. 2 Ch. 28:18. Is. 14:29. Gaza. Heb. Azzah. from the tower. ch. 17:9. 2 Ch. 26:10. Is. 5:2.
9 A.M. 3281. B.C. 723. the fourth year. ver. 1; ch. 17:4–6. Shalmaneser. ch. 17:3, etc. Ho. 10:14, Shalman.
10 A.M. 3283. B.C. 721. they took it. Ho. 13:16. Am. 3:11–15; 4:1–3; 6:7; 9:1–4. Mi. 1:6–9; 6:16; 7:13.
11 the king. ch. 17:6; 19:11. 1 Ch. 5:26. Is. 7:8; 8:4; 9:9–21; 10:5, 11; 37:12. Ho. 8:8, 9; 9:3. Am. 5:1–3, 6, 25–27. Ac. 7:43. Halah. It is thought, with much probability, that Halah, or Chalach, is PTOLEMY’S Calachene, the northern part of Assyria; that Habor, or Chabor, is the mountain, or mountainous country, between Media and Assyria, called by PTOLEMY Χαβωρας, Chaboras; and that Gozan is the Gauzanitis of PTOLEMY, situated between that mountain and the Caspian sea, and between the two channels of the river Cyrus.
12 they obeyed not. ch. 17:7–23. De. 8:20; 11:28; 29:24–28; 31:17. Ne. 9:17, 26, 27. Ps. 107:17. Is. 1:19. Je. 3:8; 7:23. Da. 9:6–11. Mi. 3:4. 2 Th. 1:8. 1 Pe. 2:8; 4:17. Moses. Nu. 12:7. De. 34:5. Jos. 1:1. 2 Ti. 2:24. He. 3:5, 6.
13 A.M. 3291. B.C. 713. the fourteenth. 2 Ch. 32:1, etc. Is. 36:1, etc. Sennacherib. Heb. Sanherib. come up. Is. 7:17, etc.; 8:7, 8; 10:5. Ho. 12:1, 2.
14 I have offended. ver. 7. 1 Ki. 20:4. Pr. 29:25. Lu. 14:32.
15 ch. 12:18; 16:8. 1 Ki. 15:15, 18, 19. 2 Ch. 16:2.
16 gold. 1 Ki. 6:31–35. 2 Ch. 29:3. it. Heb. them.
17 A.M. 3294. B.C. 710. the king. 2 Ch. 32:9. Is. 20:1; 36:2. Tartan. CALMET remarks, that these are not the names of persons, but of offices: Tartan signifies, ‘he who presides over gifts or tribute;’ Rabsaris, ‘the chief of the eunuchs;’ and Rabshakeh, ‘the chief cup-bearer.’ great. Heb. heavy. the conduit of the upper pool. If the Fuller’s field were near En-Rogel, or the Fuller’s fountain, east of Jerusalem, as is generally supposed, then the conduit of the upper pool may have been an aqueduct that brought the water from the upper or eastern reservoir of that fountain, which had been seized in order to distress the city. ch. 20:20. Is. 7:3; 22:9–11; 36:2.
18 Eliakim. ch. 19:2. Is. 22:20–24; 36:3, 22; 37:2. Shebna. Is. 22:15–19. the scribe. or, secretary. 2 Sa. 8:17, marg. the recorder. 2 Sa. 8:16; 20:24. 1 Ki. 4:3. 2 Ch. 34:8.
19 Rab-shakeh. He was the chief speaker, being a very eloquent man, and, according to the Hebrews, whom PROCOPIUS follows, an apostate Jew; which is not improbable, as he spoke Hebrew so fluently; and when he blasphemed the Divine Majesty, the king and nobles rent their clothes, which was not usual unless the blasphemer were an Israelite. Thus saith. 2 Ch. 32:10. Is. 10:8–14; 36:4; 37:13. Da. 4:30. What confidence. ver. 22, 29, 30; ch. 19:10. 2 Ch. 32:7, 8, 10, 11, 14–16. Ps. 4:2. Is. 36:4, 7; 37:10.
20 sayest. or, talkest. vain words. Heb. word of the lips. I have counsel and strength for the war. or, but counsel and strength are for the war. Pr. 21:30, 31. rebellest. ver. 14.
21 trustest. Heb. trustest thee. the staff. Is. 36:6. Eze. 29:6, 7. upon Egypt. Is. 30:2, 7; 31:1–3. so is Pharaoh. ch. 17:4. Je. 46:17.
22 We trust. ver. 5. Da. 3:15. Mat. 27:43. whose high places. ver. 4. 2 Ch. 31:1; 32:12. Is. 36:7. 1 Co. 2:15.
23 pledges. Heb. hostages. I will deliver. 1 Sa. 17:42, 44. 1 Ki. 20:10, 18. Ne. 4:2–5. Ps. 123:3, 4. Is. 10:13, 14; 36:8, 9.
24 How then. Is. 10:8. Da. 2:37, 38; 4:22, 37. thy trust. ver. 21. See on De. 17:16. Is. 31:1, 3; 36:6, 9. Je. 37:7; 42:14–18. Eze. 17:15, 17. chariots. Ps. 20:7, 8.
25 Am I now. ch. 19:6, 22, etc. 1 Ki. 13:18. 2 Ch. 35:21. Is. 10:5, 6. Am. 3:6. Jno. 19:10, 11.
26 Speak. Perceiving that the object of this blasphemous caitiff was to stir up the people to sedition, they mildly and reasonably required him to make his proposals in the Syrian language. in the Syrian language. Ezr. 4:7. Is. 36:11, 12. Da. 2:4.
27 eat. ch. 6:25. De. 28:53–57. Ps. 73:8. La. 4:5. Eze. 4:13, 15. their own piss. Heb. the water of their feet.
28 Rab-shakeh. 2 Ch. 32:18. Is. 36:13–18. the king of Assyria. ver. 19. Ezr. 7:12. Ps. 47:2. Is. 10:8–13. Eze. 29:3; 31:3–10. Re. 19:16.
29 saith. Ps. 73:8, 9. Let not. 2 Ch. 32:11, 15. Da. 3:15–17; 6:16. Jno. 19:10, 11. 2 Th. 2:4, 8.
30 make you. ver. 22; ch. 19:10, 22. Ps. 4:2; 11:1; 22:7, 8; 71:9, 11; 125:1, 2. Mat. 27:43. Lu. 23:35. this city. ch. 19:32–34.
31 Make an agreement with me. or, Seek my favour. Heb. Make with me a blessing. Ge. 32:20; 33:11. Pr. 18:16. eat ye. 1 Ki. 4:20, 25. Zec. 3:10. cistern. or, pit.
32 I come. ver. 11; ch. 17:6, 23; 24:14–16; 25:11. like your own. Ex. 3:8. Nu. 13:26, 27; 14:8. De. 8:7–9; 11:12; 32:13, 14. persuadeth. or, deceiveth. ver. 29.
33 Hath any. ch. 19:12, 13, 17, 18. 2 Ch. 32:14–17, 19. Is. 10:10; 36:18–20.
34 the gods. ch. 19:13. Nu. 13:21. 2 Sa. 8:9. Je. 49:23. Hamath. Hamath, there is little doubt, was the Epiphania of the Greeks, as JOSEPHUS, THEODORET, and JEROME, expressly assert. It was a celebrated city of Syria, situated on the Orontes, and the present Hamah doubtless occupies its site; as Abulfeda, who was prince or emir of Hamah about A.D. 1345, expressly states, in his Description of Syria, that Hamah is an ancient city mentioned in the writings of the Israelites. It is still a considerable town, situated on both sides of the Orontes, about three days’ journey and a half from Tripoli; and must contain, BURCKHARDT says, at least 30,000 inhabitants. Arpad. Arpad is probably the town of Arphas, mentioned by JOSEPHUS as limiting the province of Gamalitis, Gaulanitis, Batanea, and Trachonitis, to the N.E.; and the Raphan, or Raphanea, which STEPHANUS places near Epiphania. the gods. ch. 17:24–33, Ava. Is. 36:18, 19; 37:11, 12, 18, 19. have they delivered. ch. 17:6, 23, 24, 30, 31; 19:12, 13.
35 Who are. ch. 19:17. Da. 3:15. that the Lord. Ex. 5:2. 2 Ch. 32:15. Job 15:25, 26. Is. 10:15; 37:23–29.
36 held their peace. Ps. 38:13, 14; 39:1. Pr. 9:7; 26:4. Am. 5:13. Mat. 7:6.
37 with their clothes rent. ch. 5:7; 22:11, 19. Ge. 37:29, 34. Job 1:20. Is. 33:7; 36:21, 22. Je. 36:24. Mat. 26:65.


  CHAP. 19

  Hezekiah mourning, sends to Isaiah to pray for them, 1–5. Isaiah comforts them, 6, 7. Sennacherib, going to encounter Tirhakah, sends a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah, 8–13. Hezekiah’s prayer, 14–19. Isaiah’s prophecy of the pride and destruction of Sennacherib, and the good of Zion, 20–34. An angel slays the Assyrians, 35. Sennacherib is slain by his own sons, 36, 37.

1 when king. Is. 37:1, etc. he rent. ch. 5:7; 18:37. 1 Sa. 4:12. Ezr. 9:3. Job 1:20. Je. 36:24. Mat. 26:65. covered. ch. 6:30. Ge. 37:34. 1 Ki. 21:27, 29. Es. 4:1–4. Ps. 35:13. Jon. 3:8. Mat. 11:21. went into. 2 Ch. 7:15, 16. Job 1:20, 21.
2 he sent Eliakim. ch. 18:18; 22:13, 14. Is. 37:2–5. to Isaiah. 2 Ch. 26:22. Mat. 4:14. Lu. 3:4, Esaias. the son of Amoz. Is. 1:1; 2:1.
3 This day. ch. 18:29. Ps. 39:11; 123:3, 4. Je. 30:5–7. Ho. 5:15; 6:1. blasphemy. or, provocation. Ps. 95:8. He. 3:15, 16. for the children. Is. 26:17, 18; 66:9. Ho. 13:13.
4 the Lord. Ge. 22:14. De. 32:36. Jos. 14:12. 1 Sa. 14:6. 2 Sa. 16:12. whom the king. ch. 18:17–35. reprove. ver. 22. 1 Sa. 17:45. Ps. 50:21; 74:18. lift up. 2 Ch. 32:20. Ps. 50:15. Je. 33:3. Eze. 36:37. Ro. 9:27. Ja. 5:16, 17. the remnant. ch. 17:5, 6; 18:13. 2 Ch. 28:5, 6. Is. 8:7, 8; 10:6. left. Heb. found.
6 Isaiah. Is. 37:6, 7, etc. Be not afraid. ch. 6:16. Ex. 14:13. Le. 26:8. De. 20:1, 3, 4. Jos. 11:6. 2 Ch. 20:15, 17. Is. 41:10–14; 51:7, 12, 13. the servants. ch. 18:17, 35. Ps. 74:18, 23. Re. 13:6.
7 a blast. ver. 35–37. Job 4:9. Ps. 11:6; 18:14, 15; 50:3. Is. 10:16–18; 11:4. Je. 51:1. hear a rumour. ch. 7:6. Job 15:21. Je. 49:14; 51:46. Ob. 1. I will cause. ver. 36, 37. 2 Ch. 32:21.
8 Libnah. ch. 8:22. Jos. 10:29; 12:15; 15:42. Lachish. ch. 18:14. Jos. 12:11; 15:39. Is. 37:8, 9. Mi. 1:13.
9 when he heard. When Sennacherib had levied contributions on Hezekiah, he marched his army into Egypt; where, after several successes, he laid siege to Pelusium, and spent much time in it; but hearing that Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia, whom STRABO calls Therchon, was marching against him with a great army, to assist his kinsman Sevechus, or Sethon, the king of Egypt, he durst not abide his coming, but raised the siege; and returning to Judea, he encamped against Lachish, and afterwards against Libnah. But finding that Tirhakah pursued him as a fugitive, he marched back to encounter him; and having totally routed his army, he returned to wreak his vengeance on Hezekiah. 1 Sa. 23:27. Is. 37:9. sent. ch. 18:17.
10 ch. 18:5, 29, 30. 2 Ch. 32:15–19. Is. 37:10–14.
11 ver. 17, 18; ch. 17:5, etc. 2 Ch. 32:13, 14. Is. 10:8–11.
12 Have the gods. ch. 18:33, 34. Gozan. ch. 17:6. 1 Ch. 5:26. Haran. Ge. 11:31; 29:4. Ac. 7:4, Charran. Rezeph. Rezeph was probably either Rezapha, which PTOLEMY places in the Palmyrene, west of the Euphrates; or rather, Rezipha, in Mesopotamia, east of the Euphrates. Eden. Ge. 2:8. Is. 37:12, Telassar. Eze. 27:23.
13 the king. ch. 17:24. Nu. 13:21; 34:8. Is. 11:11. Je. 39:5; 49:23. Zec. 9:2. Arpad. ch. 18:34. Is. 37:13, etc. Arphad.
14 Hezekiah. Is. 37:14. spread it. 1 Ki. 8:28–30. Ezr. 9:5. Ps. 74:10, 11; 91:1, 2; 123:1–4.
15 prayed. 2 Sa. 7:18, etc. 2 Ch. 14:11; 20:6; 32:20. Da. 9:3, 4. O Lord God. Ge. 32:28; 33:20. 1 Ki. 8:23. 1 Ch. 4:10. Is. 41:17. dwellest. Ex. 25:22. 1 Sa. 4:4. 2 Ch. 5:7, 8. Ps. 80:1; 99:1. thou art the God. ch. 5:15. 1 Ki. 18:39. Is. 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:22. Da. 4:34, 35. thou hast made. Ge. 1:1; 2:4. Ps. 33:9; 102:25; 146:6. Je. 10:10–12. Jno. ch. 1–3.
16 bow down. Ps. 31:2. Is. 37:17. open. 1 Ki. 8:29. 2 Ch. 6:40. Da. 9:18. which hath sent. ver. 4. Ps. 79:12. Is. 37:4, 17. He. 11:26.
17 Of a truth. Job 9:2. Is. 5:9. Je. 26:15. Da. 2:47. Mat. 14:33. Lu. 22:59. Ac. 4:27. 1 Co. 14:25. the kings. ch. 16:9; 17:6, 24. 1 Ch. 5:26. Is. 7:17, 18; 10:9–11.
18 have cast. Heb. have given. 2 Sa. 5:21. Is. 46:1, 2. for they were. Ps. 115:4–8. Is. 37:18, 19; 44:9–20. Je. 10:3–9, 14–16. Ac. 17:29.
19 O Lord. Ex. 9:15, 16. Jos. 7:9. 1 Sa. 17:45–47. 1 Ki. 8:43; 18:36, 37; 20:28. Ps. 67:1, 2; 83:18. Da. 4:34–37.
20 which thou hast. 2 Sa. 15:31; 17:23. I have heard. ch. 20:5. 2 Ch. 32:20, 21. Job 22:27. Ps. 50:15; 65:2. Is. 58:9; 65:24. Je. 33:3. Da. 9:20–23. Jno. 11:42. Ac. 10:4, 31. 1 Jno. 5:14, 15.
21 The virgin. Is. 23:12; 37:21, 22, etc.; 47:1. Je. 14:17; 18:13; 31:4. La. 1:15; 2:13. Am. 5:2. the daughter. Ps. 9:14; 137:8. Is. 1:8; 23:10; 47:5. Je. 46:11. La. 2:13; 4:21. Mi. 4:8. Zec. 9:9. shaken her head. Job 16:4. Ps. 22:7, 8. Is. 37:22. La. 2:15. Mat. 27:39.
22 Whom. ch. 18:28–35. Ex. 5:2. Ps. 73:9; 74:22, 23. exalted thy voice. Ex. 9:17. Pr. 30:13. Is. 10:15; 14:13, 14. Eze. 28:2–9. Da. 5:20–23. 2 Co. 10:5. 2 Th. 2:4. the Holy One. Ps. 71:22. Is. 5:24; 30:11, 12, 15. Je. 51:5.
23 By. Heb. By the hand of. messengers. ch. 18:17. 2 Ch. 32:17. With the multitude. ch. 18:23, 33, 34. Ps. 20:7. Is. 10:7–11, 14; 37:24, 25. Eze. 31:3, etc. tall cedar trees thereof. Heb. tallness of the cedar-trees thereof. the forest of his Carmel. or, the forest, and his fruitful field.
24 I have digged, etc. I have conquered strange countries, and marched through the driest places, in which I have digged wells for my army. with the sole. My infantry have been so numerous, that they alone have been sufficient to dry up all the rivers of besieged places, either by drinking them, or by diverting their course into other channels. Ex. 15:9. 2 Sa. 17:13. 1 Ki. 20:10. Da. 4:30. besieged places. or, fenced places.
25 Hast thou not, etc. or, Hast thou not heard how I have made it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? should I now bring it to be laid waste, and fenced cities to be ruinous heaps? I have done it. Ps. 33:11; 76:10. Is. 10:5, 6, 15; 37:26, 27; 45:7; 46:10, 11; 54:16. Ac. 4:27, 28.
26 of small power. Heb. short of hand. Nu. 11:23; 14:9. Ps. 48:4–7; 127:1. Je. 37:10; 50:36, 37; 51:30, 32. they were. Ps. 92:7; 102:11. Is. 40:6–8. Ja. 1:10, 11. 1 Pe. 1:24. the grass. Ps. 129:6–8.
27 I know. Ps. 139:1–11. Je. 23:23, 24. abode. or, sitting. thy going out. De. 28:6, 19. Ps. 121:8. Is. 37:28, 29.
28 thy rage. Ps. 2:1–5; 7:6; 10:13, 14; 46:6; 93:3, 4. Lu. 6:11. Jno. 15:18, 23, 24. Ac. 7:51. thy tumult. Ps. 65:7; 74:4, 23; 83:2. I will put. This alludes to the method by which the common people manage their beasts in the East, especially the dromedaries, which are governed by a bridle fastened to a ring, which runs through the nostril of the beast. Job 41:2. Ps. 32:9. Eze. 29:4; 38:4. Am. 4:2. by the way. ver. 33, 36, 37.
29 a sign. ver. 21, 31–34; ch. 20:8, 9. Ex. 3:12. 1 Sa. 2:34. Is. 7:11–14. Lu. 2:12. Ye shall eat. Le. 25:4, 5, 20–22. Is. 37:30.
30 the remnant that, etc. Heb. the escaping of the house of Judah that remaineth. ver. 4. 2 Ch. 32:22, 23. Is. 1:9; 10:20–22. shall yet again. Ps. 80:9. Is. 27:6; 37:31, 32.
31 For. ver. 4. Je. 44:14. Ro. 9:27; 11:5. they that escape. Heb. the escaping. the zeal. Is. 9:7; 59:17; 63:15. Eze. 5:13; 20:9. Zec. 1:14. Jno. 2:17.
32 He shall not come. Is. 8:7–10; 10:24, 25, 28–32; 37:33–35. cast a bank. 2 Sa. 20:15. Eze. 21:22. Lu. 19:43, 44.
34 I will defend. ch. 20:6. Ps. 46:5, 6; 48:2–8. Is. 31:5; 38:6. for mine. De. 32:27. Is. 43:25, 48:9, 11. Eze. 36:22. Ep. 1:6, 14. my servant. 1 Ki. 11, 12, 13; 15:4. Is. 9:7. Je. 23:5, 6; 33:21, 26.
35 that night. Ex. 12:29. Da. 5:30. 1 Th. 5:2, 3. the angel. Ex. 12:29, 30. 2 Sa. 24:16. 1 Ch. 21:12, 16. 2 Ch. 32:21, 22. Ps. 35:5, 6. Ac. 12:23. and smote. Is. 10:16–19, 33; 30:30–33; 37:36. Ho. 1:7. when they arose. Ex. 12:30. Ps. 76:5–7, 10.
36 Sennacherib. ver. 7, 28, 33. Nineveh. Ge. 10:11, 12. Jon. 1:2; 3:2, etc. Na. 1:1; 2:8. Mat. 12:41.
37 Nisroch. ver. 10; ch. 18:5, 30. De. 32:31. 2 Ch. 32:14, 19. Is. 37:37, 38. his sons smote. ver. 7. 2 Ch. 32:21. the land. Armenia or Ararat is a province of Asia, comprising the modern Turcomania and part of Persia; having Georgia on the north, Curdistan, or the ancient Assyria, on the south, and Asia Minor, now Natolia, on the west. Armenia. Heb. Ararat. Ge. 8:4. Je. 51:27. Esarhaddon. Ezr. 4:2.


  CHAP. 20

  Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened, 1–7. The sun goes ten degrees backward for a sign of that promise, 8–11. Berodach-baladan sending to visit Hezekiah, because of the wonder, has notice of his treasures, 12, 13. Isaiah understanding thereof, foretells the Babylonian captivity, 14–19. Manasseh succeeds Hezekiah, 20, 21.

1 A.M. 3291. B.C. 713. was Hezekiah. 2 Ch. 32:24, etc. Is. 38:1, etc. Jno. 11:1–5. Phi. 2:27, 30. the prophet. ch. 19:2, 20. Set thine house in order. Heb. Give charge concerning thine house. 2 Sa. 17:23. Is. 38:1, margins. thou shalt die. Je. 18:7–10. Jon. 3:4–10.
2 he turned. 1 Ki. 8:30. Ps. 50:15. Is. 38:2, 3. Mat. 6:6.
3 remember. Ge. 8:1. Ne. 5:19; 13:14, 22, 31. Ps. 25:7; 89:47, 50; 119:49. Is. 63:11. I have walked. ch. 18:3–6. Ge. 5:22, 24; 17:1. 1 Ki. 2:4; 3:6. Job 1:1, 8. Lu. 1:6. in truth. 2 Ch. 31:20, 21. Ps. 32:2; 145:18. Je. 4:2. Jno. 1:47. 2 Co. 1:12. 1 Jno. 3:21, 22. a perfect heart. 1 Ki. 8:61; 11:4; 15:14. 2 Ch. 16:9. wept sore. Heb. wept with a great weeping. 2 Sa. 12:21, 22. Ps. 6:6; 102:9. Is. 38:14. He. 5:7.
4 court. or, city.
5 Turn again. 2 Sa. 7:3–5. 1 Ch. 17:2–4. the captain. Jos. 5:14, 15. 1 Sa. 9:16; 10:1. 2 Sa. 5:2. 2 Ch. 13:12. He. 2:10. the God. 2 Ch. 34:3. Is. 38:5; 55:3. Mat. 22:32. I have heard. ch. 19:20. Ps. 65:2; 66:19, 20. Lu. 1:13. I have seen. Ps. 39:12; 56:8; 126:5. Re. 7:17. I will heal. ver. 7. Ex. 15:26. De. 32:39. Job 33:19–26. Ps. 147:3. Ja. 5:14, 15. thou shalt go. ver. 8. Ps. 66:13–15, 19, 20; 116:12–14; 118:17–19. Is. 38:22. Jno. 5:14.
6 I will add. Ps. 116:15. Ac. 27:24. I will defend. See on ch. 19:34. 2 Ch. 32:22. Is. 10:24.
7 Take a lump. ch. 2:20–22; 4:41. Is. 38:21. the boil. The word shechin, from the Arabic sachana, to be hot, signifies an inflammatory tumour, or burning boil; and some think that Hezekiah’s malady was a pleurisy; others, that it was the plague; and others, the elephantiasis, a species of leprosy, as one of the Hexapla versions renders in Job 2:7. A poultice of figs might be very proper to maturate a boil, or dismiss any obstinate inflammatory swelling; but we need not discuss its propriety in this case, because it was as much the means which God chose to bless for his recovery, as the clay which Christ moistened to anoint the eyes of the blind man; for in both cases, without Divine interposition the cure could not have been effected.
8 What shall be. ver. 5; ch. 19:29. Ju. 6:17, 37–40. Is. 7:11, 14; 38:22. Ho. 6:2.
9 This sign. Is. 38:7, 8. Mat. 16:1–4. Mar. 8:11, 12. Lu. 11:29, 30.
10 ch. 2:10; 3:18. Is. 49:6. Mar. 9:28, 29. Jno. 14:12.
11 cried unto. Ex. 14:15. 1 Ki. 17:20, 21; 18:36–38. Ac. 9:40. he brought. Jos. 10:12–14. 2 Ch. 32:24, 17. Is. 38:8. dial. Heb. degrees.
12 A.M. 3292. B.C. 712. Berodach-baladan. Is. 39:1, etc., Merodach-baladan. king. 2 Ch. 32:31. Babylon. Ge. 10:10; 11:9. Is. 13:1, 19; 14:4. sent letters. 2 Sa. 8:10; 10:2. for he had heard. Is. 39:1.
13 shewed. 2 Ch. 32:27. Is. 39:2. precious things. or, spicery. 1 Ki. 10:2, 10, 15, 25. armour. or, jewels. Heb. vessels. there was nothing. 2 Ch. 32:25, 26. Pr. 23:5. Ec. 7:20.
14 came Isaiah. Is. 39:3–8. What said. ch. 5:25, 26. 2 Sa. 12:7, etc. 2 Ch. 16:7–10; 25:7–9, 15, 16. Ps. 141:5. Pr. 25:12. Je. 26:18, 19. Am. 7:12, 13. Mar. 6:18, 19. a far country. De. 28:49. Jos. 9:6, 9. Is. 13:5.
15 All the things. ver. 13. Jos. 7:19. Job 31:33. Pr. 28:13. 1 Jno. 1:8–10.
16 Hear. ch. 7:1. 1 Ki. 22:19. Is. 1:10. Am. 7:16.
17 shall be carried. ch. 24:13; 25:13–15. Le. 26:19. 2 Ch. 36:10, 18. Je. 27:21, 22; 52:17–19.
18 thy sons. ch. 24:12; 25:6. 2 Ch. 33:11. they shall be. ‘Fulfilled. Da. 1:3–7.’
19 Good. Le. 10:3. 1 Sa. 3:18. Job 1:21. Ps. 39:9. La. 3:22, 39. Is it not good, etc. or, Shall there not be peace and truth, etc. peace and truth. Es. 9:30. Je. 33:6. Zec. 8:19. Lu. 2:10, 14.
20 he made a pool. 2 Ch. 32:4, 30, 32. Ne. 3:16. Is. 22:9–11. the book. ch. 8:23; 15:6, 26; 16:19. 1 Ki. 14:19; 15:7, 23.
21 A.M. 3306. B.C. 698. slept. ch. 21:18. 1 Ki. 2:10; 11:43; 14:31. 2 Ch. 26:23; 32:33. Manasseh. ch. 21:1.


  CHAP. 21

  Manasseh’s reign, 1, 2. His great idolatry, 3–9. His wickedness causes prophecies against Judah, 10–16. Amon succeeds him, 17, 18. Amon’s wicked reign, 19–22. He being slain by his servants, and those murderers slain by the people, Josiah is made king, 23–26.

1 A.M. 3306–3361. B.C. 698–643. was twelve. ch. 20:21. 1 Ch. 3:13. 2 Ch. 32:33; 33:1, etc. Mat. 1:10, Manasses. Hephzi-bah. Pr. 5:19. Is. 62:4, marg.
2 And he did. ver. 7, 16; ch. 16:2–4; 22:17. 2 Ch. 33:2–4. after the abominations. Le. 18:25–29. De. 12:31. 2 Ch. 36:14. Eze. 16:51.
3 the high places. ch. 18:4, 22. 2 Ch. 32:12; 34:3. he reared. ch. 10:18–20. 1 Ki. 16:31–33; 18:21, 26. a grove. Rather, as we have before remarked, Asherah or Astarte. So CASTEL defines Asherah to be Simulacrum ligneum Astartæ dicatum; ‘A wooden image dedicated to Astarte.’ Ahab. ch. 8:18, 27. Mi. 6:16. and worshipped. ch. 17:16; 23:4. De. 4:19; 17:3. 2 Ch. 33:3–5. Job 31:26.
4 he built. ch. 16:10–16. Je. 32:34. In Jerusalem. Ex. 20:24. De. 12:5. 2 Sa. 7:13. 1 Ki. 8:29; 9:3. Ps. 78:68, 69; 132:13, 14.
5 in the two courts. ch. 23:4, 6. 1 Ki. 6:36; 7:12. 2 Ch. 33:5, 15. Eze. 40:28, 32, 37, 47; 42:3; 43:5; 44:19.
6 A.M. 3321. B.C. 683. he made. ch. 16:3; 17:17. Le. 18:21; 20:2, 3. 2 Ch. 28:3; 33:6. Mi. 6:7. observed times. Le. 19:26, 31. De. 18:10–14. familiar. 1 Ch. 10:13. Is. 8:19; 19:3. Ac. 16:16. wrought. ch. 24:3, 4. Ge. 13:13.
7 A.M. 3306–3327. B.C. 698–677. he set. ch. 23:6. 2 Ch. 33:7, 15. In this house. ver. 4; ch. 23:27. 2 Sa. 7:13. 1 Ki. 8:29, 44; 9:3, 7. 2 Ch. 7:12, 16, 20. Ne. 1:9. Ps. 74:2; 78:68, 69; 132:13, 14. Je. 32:34.
8 will I make. ch. 18:11. 2 Sa. 7:10. 1 Ch. 17:9. 2 Ch. 33:8. only if they. Le. 26:3, etc. De. 5:28, 29; 28:1, etc. Jos. 23:11–13. Ps. 37:3; 81:11–16. Is. 1:19. Je. 7:3–7, 23; 17:20–27. Eze. 22:2–16; 33:25–29.
9 they hearkened. 2 Ch. 36:16. Ezr. 9:10, 11. Ne. 9:26, 29, 30. Ps. 81:10. Da. 9:6, 10, 11. Lu. 13:34. Jno. 15:22. Ja. 4:17. seduced. 1 Ki. 14:16. 2 Ch. 33:9. Ps. 12:8. Pr. 29:12. Ho. 5:11. Re. 2:20. more evil. Eze. 16:47, 51, 52.
10 2 Ch. 33:10; 36:15. Ne. 9:26, 30. Mat. 23:34–37. In the following verses the doom of Judah and Jerusalem is passed, and it is a heavy doom. The prophets were sent in the first place to teach them the knowledge of God, to remind them of their duty, and direct them in it: if they succeeded not in that, their next work was to reprove them for their sins, and to set them in view before them, that they might repent and reform, and return to their duty: if in this they prevailed not, their next work was to foretell the judgments of God, that the terror of them might awaken to repentance those who would not be made sensible of the obligations of his love; or else that the execution of them, in their season, might be a demonstration of the divine mission of the prophets who foretold them. They were made judges to those who would not hear and receive them as teachers.—HENRY.
11 Because. ch. 23:26, 27; 24:3, 4. Je. 15:4. above all. ver. 9. 1 Ki. 21:26. Eze. 16:3, 45. made Judah. ver. 9. 1 Ki. 14:16; 15:30; 16:19.
12 I am bringing. ch. 22:16. Da. 9:12. Mi. 3:12. whosoever. 1 Sa. 3:11. Is. 28:16. Je. 19:3. Am. 3:2. Mat. 24:21, 22. Lu. 23:28, 29. Re. 6:15–17.
13 I will stretch. This metaphor is taken from the custom of using a line in measuring land, and in dividing portions of it among several persons. Samaria was taken, pillaged, and ruined, and its inhabitants carried into captivity: Jerusalem shall have the same measure. ch. 17:6. Is. 10:22; 28:17; 34:11. La. 2:8. Eze. 23:31–34. Am. 7:7, 8. Zec. 1:16. the plummet. ch. 10:11. 1 Ki. 21:21–24. I will wipe. I will empty Jerusalem of all its wealth and inhabitants, as truly as a dish turned up and wiped is emptied of its contents. 1 Ki. 14:10. Is. 14:23. Je. 25:9. Eze. 24:10, 11. Re. 18:21–23. wiping it, and turning it upside down. Heb. he wipeth and turneth it upon the face thereof.
14 And I will. De. 31:17. 2 Ch. 15:2. Ps. 37:28; 89:38, etc. Je. 12:7; 23:33. La. 5:20. Am. 5:2. the remnant. ch. 19:4, 30, 31; 24:2. 2 Ch. 36:16, 17. Je. 23:33. deliver. Le. 26:17, 36–38. De. 4:26, 27; 28:25, 31–33, 48. Ju. 2:14, 15. Ne. 9:27–37. Ps. 71:1–7; 106:40–43. Is. 10:6. La. 1:5, 10.
15 since the day. De. 9:21; 31:27, 29. Ju. 2:11–13. Ps. 106:34–40. Eze. 16:15, etc.; 20:4, 13, 21, 30; 23:3, 8, etc. Da. 9:5–11.
16 Manasseh. ch. 24:3, 4. Nu. 35:33. De. 21:8, 9. Je. 2:34; 7:6; 15:4; 19:4. Mat. 23:30, 31; 27:6. Lu. 13:34. He. 11:37. one end to another. Heb. mouth to mouth. beside his sin. ver. 7, 11. Ex. 32:21. 1 Ki. 14:15, 16. 2 Ch. 33:9.
17 the rest. See on ch. 20:20, 21. 2 Ch. 33:1–20.
18 A.M. 3361. B.C. 643. and was buried. 2 Ch. 21:20; 24:16, 25; 28:27; 32:33; 33:20. Je. 22:19.
19 A.M. 3361–3363. B.C. 643–641. Amon. 1 Ch. 3:14. 2 Ch. 33:21–23. Mat. 1:10. two years. ch. 15:23. 1 Ki. 15:25; 16:8; 22:51.
20 as his father. ver. 2–7. Nu. 32:14. 2 Ch. 33:22, 23. Mat. 23:32. Ac. 7:51.
22 ch. 22:17. De. 32:15. 1 Ki. 11:33. 1 Ch. 28:9. Je. 2:13. Jon. 2:8.
23 A.M. 3363. B.C. 641. ch. 12:20; 14:19; 15:25, 30. 1 Ki. 15:27; 16:9. 2 Ch. 33:24, 25.
24 the people of the land slew. ch. 14:5. made Josiah. ch. 11:17; 14:21. 1 Sa. 11:15. 2 Sa. 5:3. 1 Ki. 12:1, 20. 2 Ch. 22:1; 26:1; 33:25.
25 ver. 17; ch. 20:20.
26 in the garden. See on ver. 18. Josiah. 1 Ki. 13:5. Mat. 1:10.


  CHAP. 22

  Josiah’s good reign, 1, 2. He takes care for the repair of the temple, 3–7. Hilkiah having found a book of the law, Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord, 8–14. Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah’s time, 15–20.

1 A.M. 3363–3394. B.C. 641–610. Josiah. This prince was one of the best, if not the best, of all the Jewish kings since the time of David. He began well, continued well, and ended well. 1 Ki. 13:2. 2 Ch. 34:1, 2, etc. Je. 1:2. Zep. 1:1. Mat. 1:10, Josias. eight years old. ch. 11:21; 21:1. Ps. 8:2. Ec. 10:16. Is. 3:4. Boscath. This was a city in the plain country of the tribe of Judah; and is mentioned in the parallel passage along with Lachish and Eglon. Jos. 15:39, Bozkath.
2 right. ch. 16:2; 18:3. 2 Ch. 17:3; 29:2. Pr. 20:11. walked. 1 Ki. 3:6; 11:38; 15:5. turned. De. 5:32. Jos. 1:7. Pr. 4:27. Eze. 18:14–17.
3 A.M. 3380. B.C. 642. in the. 2 Ch. 34:3–8, etc.
4 Hilkiah. 1 Ch. 6:13; 9:11. 2 Ch. 34:9–18. that he may. Ten years seem to have elapsed since the people began to present the accustomed offerings; yet no one had taken an account of them, nor were they applied to the purpose for which they were given. sum the silver. ch. 12:4, 8–11. 2 Ch. 24:8–12. Mar. 12:41, 42. the keepers. 1 Ch. 9:19; 26:13–19. 2 Ch. 8:14. Ne. 11:19. Ps. 84:10. door. Heb. threshold.
5 deliver. ch. 12:11–14. to repair. ch. 12:5. 2 Ch. 24:7, 12, 13, 27. Ezr. 3:7.
7 Howbeit. ch. 12:15. 2 Ch. 24:14. they dealt faithfully. Ex. 36:5, 6. Ne. 7:2. Pr. 28:20. Lu. 16:10–12. 1 Co. 4:2. 2 Co. 8:20, 21. 2 Ti. 2:2. 3 Jno. 5.
8 I have found. This certainly was a genuine copy of the divine law, and probably the autograph of Moses, as it is said, in the parallel place of Chronicles, to be the book of the law of the Lord by Moses. It is not probable that this was the only copy of the law in the land, or that Josiah had never before seen the book of Moses; but the fact seems to be, that this was the original of the covenant renewed by Moses in the plains of Moab, and now being unexpectedly found, its antiquity, the occasion of its being made, the present circumstances of the people, the imperfect state in which the reformation was as yet, after all that had been done, would all concur to produce the effect here mentioned on the mind of the pious Josiah. De. 31:24–26. 2 Ch. 34:14, 15, etc.
9 Shaphan. ver. 3, 12; ch. 25:22. Je. 26:24; 29:3; 36:10–12; 39:14; 40:11; 41:2. Eze. 8:11. the scribe. See on ch. 18:18. gathered. Heb. melted.
10 Shaphan. De. 31:9–13. 2 Ch. 34:18. Ne. 8:1–7, 14, 15, 18; 13:1. Je. 36:6, 15, 21. the king. De. 17:18–20. Je. 13:18; 22:1, 2.
11 that he rent. ver. 19. 2 Ch. 34:19. Je. 36:24. Joel 2:13. Jon. 3:6, 7.
12 the king. ch. 19:2, 3. 2 Ch. 34:19–21. Is. 37:1–4. Ahikam. ver. 9. Je. 26:22, 24. Achbor. 2 Ch. 34:20, Abdon. Michaiah. or, Micah.
13 enquire. ch. 3:11. 1 Ki. 22:7, 8. 1 Ch. 10:13, 14. Ps. 25:14. Pr. 3:6. Je. 21:1, 2; 37:17. Eze. 14:3, 4; 20:1–3. Am. 3:7. great. Ex. 20:5. De. 4:23–27; 29:23–28; 31:17, 18. Ne. 8:8, 9; 9:3. Ps. 76:7. Da. 9:5–7. Na. 1:6. Ro. 3:20; 4:15; 7:9. Re. 6:17. because our fathers. 2 Ch. 29:6; 34:21. Ps. 106:6. Je. 16:12; 44:17. La. 5:7. Da. 9:8, 10. Ja. 1:22–25.
14 prophetess. Ex. 15:20. Ju. 4:4. Mi. 6:4. Lu. 1:41, etc.; 2:36. Ac. 21:9. 1 Co. 11:5. Tikvah. 2 Ch. 34:22, Tikvath, Hasrah. wardrobe. Heb. garments. 2 Ki. 10:22. Ne. 7:72. college. or, second part.
15 ch. 1:6, 16. Je. 23:28.
16 Behold. ch. 20:17; 21:12, 13. 2 Ch. 34:24, 25. all the words. ch. 25:1–4. Le. 26:15, etc. De. 28:15, etc.; 29:18–23; 30:17, 18; 31:16–18; 32:15–26. Jos. 23:13, 15. Da. 9:11–14.
17 have forsaken. Ex. 32:34. De. 29:24–28; 32:15–19. Ju. 2:12–14; 3:7, 8; 10:6, 7, 10–14. 1 Ki. 9:6–9. Ne. 9:26, 27. Ps. 106:35–42. Je. 2:11–13, 27, 28. the works. Ps. 115:4–8. Is. 2:8, 9; 44:17–20; 46:5–8. Mi. 5:13. therefore. 1 Th. 2:16. shall not be. De. 32:22. 2 Ch. 36:16. Is. 33:14. Je. 7:20; 17:27. Eze. 20:47, 48. Zep. 1:18.
18 the king. 2 Ch. 34:26–28. thus shall ye. Is. 3:10. Mal. 3:16, 17.
19 thine heart. 1 Sa. 24:5. Ps. 51:17; 119:120. Is. 46:12; 57:15; 66:2, 5. Je. 36:24, 29–32. Eze. 9:4. Ro. 2:4, 5. Ja. 4:6–10. humbled. Ex. 10:3. Le. 26:40, 41. 1 Ki. 21:29. 2 Ch. 33:12, 19, 23. Mi. 6:8. 1 Pe. 5:5, 6. a desolation. Le. 26:31, 32. De. 29:23. Je. 26:6; 44:22. hast rent. ver. 17. wept. Nu. 25:6. Ju. 2:4, 5; 20:26. Ezr. 9:3, 4; 10:1. Ne. 1:4; 8:9. Ps. 119:136. Je. 9:1; 13:17; 14:17. Lu. 19:41. Ro. 9:2, 3. I also have. ch. 19:20; 20:5.
20 I will gather. Ge. 25:8. De. 31:16. 1 Ch. 17:11. 2 Ch. 34:28. thou shalt. During thy life, none of these calamities shall fall upon thee nor thy people; no adversary shall be permitted to disturb the peace of Judea; and thou shalt at last ‘be gathered into thy grave in peace.’ Now, though it is stated that Pharaoh-Necho slew him at Megiddo, yet the Assyrians and the Jews were at peace; and though Josiah might feel it his duty to oppose the Egyptian king’s going against his friend and ally, and that, in his endeavours to oppose him, he was mortally wounded at Megiddo, yet certainly he was not killed there, but was brought to Jerusalem, where he died in peace. gathered. ch. 23:29, 30. Ps. 37:37. Is. 57:1, 2. Je. 22:10, 15, 16.


  CHAP. 23

  Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly, 1, 2. He renews the covenant of the Lord, 3. He destroys idolatry, 4–14. He burns dead men’s bones upon the altar of Beth-el, as was fore-prophesied, 15–20. He keeps a most solemn passover, 21–23. He puts away witches and all abomination, 24, 25. God’s final wrath against Judah, 26–28. Josiah, provoking Pharaoh-nechoh, is slain at Megiddo, 29, 30. Jehoahaz, succeeding him, is imprisoned by Pharaoh-nechoh, who makes Jehoiakim king, 31–35. Jehoiakim’s wicked reign, 36, 37.

1 the king. De. 31:28. 2 Sa. 6:1. 2 Ch. 29:20; 30:2; 34:29, 30, etc.
2 both small and great. Heb. from small even unto great. Ge. 19:11. 1 Sa. 5:9; 30:2. 2 Ch. 15:13. Es. 1:5. Job 3:19. Ps. 115:13. Ac. 26:22. Re. 20:12. he read. De. 31:10–13. 2 Ch. 17:9. Ne. 8:1–8; 9:3; 13:1. the book. ch. 22:8. De. 31:26. 1 Ki. 8:9.
3 stood. ch. 11:14, 17. 2 Ch. 23:13; 34:31, 32. made a covenant. Ex. 24:7, 8. De. 5:1–3; 29:1, 10–15. Jos. 24:25. 2 Ch. 15:12–14; 23:16; 29:10. Ezr. 10:3. Ne. 9:38; 10:28, etc. Je. 50:5. He. 8:8–13; 12:24; 13:20. to walk. De. 8:19. his commandments. De. 4:45; 5:1; 6:1. Ps. 19:7–9. with all their heart. De. 6:5; 10:12; 11:13. Mat. 22:36, 37. And all. Ex. 24:3. Jos. 24:24. 2 Ch. 34:32, 33. Ec. 8:2. Je. 4:2.
4 priests of the second order. These were either such as occasionally supplied the high priest’s office, or those of the second course or order established by David. See the References. 1 Ch. 24:4–19. Mat. 26:3; 27:1. the keepers. See on ch. 22:4. 1 Ch. 26:1–19. to bring. ch. 21:3, 7. 2 Ch. 33:3, 7; 34:3, 4. Baal. ch. 17:16. Ju. 2:13. 1 Ki. 16:31; 18:19, 26, 40; 19:18. Is. 27:9. Je. 7:9. Kidron. 2 Sa. 15:23. Jno. 18:1, Cedron. Beth-el. 1 Ki. 12:29. Ho. 4:15. Am. 4:4.
5 put down. Heb. caused to cease. the idolatrous priests. Heb. Chemarim. Ho. 10:5, marg. ‘Foretold. Zep. 1:4, 5.’ planets. or, twelve signs, or constellations. So the Vulgate duodecim signa, ‘the twelve signs,’ i.e. the zodiac; which is the most probable meaning of the word mazzaloth, from the Arabic manzeel, a caravanserai, house, or dwelling, as being the apparent dwellings of the sun in his annual course; and the Targumists and Rabbins often employ the words tereysar mazzalaya, to denote the signs of the zodiac. all the host. See on ch. 21:3, 4. Je. 8:1, 2; 44:17–19.
6 the grove. Or rather, Asherah, or Astarte. ch. 21:7. Ju. 3:7. 1 Ki. 14:23; 16:33. Je. 17:2. and burned. Ex. 32:20. De. 7:25; 9:21. the graves. ch. 10:27. 2 Ch. 34:4. the children. Probably the common people.
7 the sodomites. Ge. 19:4, 5. 1 Ki. 14:24; 15:12; 22:46. 2 Ch. 34:33. Ro. 1:26, 27. where. Ex. 35:25, 26. Eze. 8:14; 16:16. Ho. 2:13. hangings. Heb. houses.
8 from, etc. The northern and southern borders of Judah. Geba. Jos. 21:17. 1 Ki. 15:22. 1 Ch. 6:60. Is. 10:29. Zec. 14:10. Beer-sheba. Ge. 21:31; 26:23. Ju. 20:1. 1 Ki. 19:3.
9 the priests. Eze. 44:10–14. Mal. 2:8, 9. but they did. 1 Sa. 2:36. Eze. 44:29–31.
10 Topheth. Is. 30:33. Je. 7:31, 32; 19:6, 11–13, Tophet. the valley. Jos. 15:8. 2 Ch. 28:3; 33:6. Je. 19:2; 32:35. Mat. 5:22. Gr. might make. ch. 16:3; 17:17; 21:6. Le. 18:21. De. 18:10. Je. 32:35. Eze. 16:21; 20:26, 31; 23:37–39.
11 the sun. ver. 5. 2 Ch. 14:5; 34:4. Eze. 8:16. house of the Lord. Throughout the East, the horse because of his swiftness and utility, was dedicated to the sun; and the Greeks and Romans feigned that the chariot of the sun was drawn by four horses, Pyrous, Eous, Aithon, and Phlegon; and hence also chariots were dedicated to that luminary. JARCHI says, that those who adored the sun had horses, which they mounted every morning, to go out to meet him at his rising. The kings of Judah had imitated these idolatrous customs, and kept the horses of the sun even at the entrance of the temple of the Lord! chamberlain. or, eunuch, or officer.
12 on the top. De. 22:8. Je. 19:13. Zep. 1:5. which Manasseh. ch. 21:5, 21, 22. 2 Ch. 33:5, 15. brake them down from thence. or, ran from thence. cast. See on ver. 6.
13 the mount of corruption. that is, the mount of Olives. HOUBIGANT, deriving the Hebrew mashchith from mashach, ‘to anoint,’ reads ‘the Mount of Olives.’ JARCHI, following the Chaldee, also says this was the Mount of Olives; for this is the mount hammishchah, of unction: but because of the idolatrous purposes for which it was used, the Scripture changed the appellation to the mount of hammashchith, corruption. Solomon. 1 Ki. 11:7. Ne. 13:26. Ashtoreth. Ju. 2:13; 10:6. 1 Sa. 7:4; 12:10. 1 Ki. 11:5, 33. Chemosh. Nu. 21:29. Ju. 11:24. Je. 48:7, 13, 16. Milcom. Zep. 1:5, Malcham.
14 he brake. Ex. 23:24. Nu. 33:52. De. 7:5, 25, 26. 2 Ch. 34:3, 4. Mi. 1:7. images. Heb. statues. the bones of men. ver. 16. Nu. 19:16, 18. Je. 8:1, 2. Eze. 39:12–16. Mat. 23:27, 28.
15 the altar. ch. 10:31. 1 Ki. 12:28–33; 14:16; 15:30; 21:22. stamped. See on ver. 6.
16 burned. 1 Ki. 13:1, 2, 32. Mat. 24:35. Jno. 10:35. who proclaimed. The Septuagint and Hexaplar Syriac at Paris insert, ‘when Jeroboam stood by the altar at the feast. And turning about, he cast his eyes on the sepulchre of the man of God’—
17 It is the sepulchre. 1 Ki. 13:1, 30, 31.
18 alone. Heb. to escape. the bones of the prophet. 1 Ki. 13:1–22, 31.
19 the houses. ch. 17:9. 1 Ki. 12:31; 13:32. the cities. 2 Ch. 30:6–11; 31:1; 34:6, 7. the kings. ch. 8:18. 1 Ki. 16:33. Mi. 6:16. to provoke the Lord. ch. 17:16–18; 21:6. Ps. 78:58. Je. 7:18, 19. Eze. 8:17, 18.
20 he slew. or, he sacrificed. ch. 10:25; 11:18. Ex. 22:20. De. 13:5. 1 Ki. 13:2; 18:40. Is. 34:6. Zec. 13:2, 3. burned. 2 Ch. 34:5.
21 Keep. 2 Ch. 35:1, etc. as it is written. Ex. 12:3, etc. Le. 23:5–8. Nu. 9:2–5; 28:16–25. De. 16:1–8.
22 Surely. 2 Ch. 35:18, 19. of the kings. 2 Ch. 30:1–3, 13–20; 35:3–17.
24 Moreover. ‘His eighteenth year ending.’ the workers. ch. 21:3, 6. 1 Sa. 28:3–7. Is. 8:19; 19:3. Ac. 16:16–18. Re. 22:15. images. or, teraphim. Ge. 31:19. Ju. 17:5; 18:17, 18. Ho. 3:4. that he might. Le. 19:31; 20:27. De. 18:10–12. Is. 8:20. Ro. 3:20. Ja. 1:25. the book. ch. 22:8–13. 2 Ch. 34:14–19.
25 A.M. 3363–3394. B.C. 641–610. unto him. ch. 18:5. that turned. ver. 3. De. 4:29; 6:5. 1 Ki. 2:4; 8:48; 15:5. Je. 29:13. according. Ne. 10:29. Mal. 4:4. Jno. 1:17; 7:19.
26 Notwithstanding. ch. 21:11–13; 22:16, 17; 24:2, 4. 2 Ch. 36:16. Je. 3:7–10; 15:1–4. provocations. Heb. angers.
27 I will remove. ch. 17:18, 20; 18:11; 21:13; 24:3; 25:11. De. 29:27, 28. Eze. 23:32–35. out of my sight. Ps. 51:11. Je. 31:37; 33:24. La. 2:7. My name. See on ch. 21:4, 7. 1 Ki. 8:29; 9:3.
28 the rest. See on ch. 20:20.
29 A.M. 3394. B.C. 610. Pharaoh-nechoh. Pharaoh-nechoh, called Νεκως, Necos, the son of Psammiticus, by HERODOTUS, was now marching ‘to make war upon the Medes and Babylonians, who had dissolved the Assyrian empire,’ the king of the latter being the famous Nabopollasar, who had also become king of Assyria. ver. 33, 34. 2 Ch. 35:20–24. Je. 46:2. slew him. Ec. 8:14; 9:1, 2. Is. 57:1, 2. Ro. 11:33. Megiddo. Megiddo, called Μαγδολον, Magdolum, by HERODOTUS, was situated in the tribe of Manasseh, west of Jordan, in the valley of Jezreel, and not far from Hadad-Rimmon, or Maximianopolis. This shews that Josiah reigned over the country formerly possessed by the ten tribes; and it is also probable, that Nechoh had landed his troops at or near Cæsarea of Palestine. ch. 9:27. Ju. 1:27; 5:19. 1 Ki. 4:12. Zec. 12:11, Megiddon. Re. 16:16, Armageddon. he had seen him. ch. 14:8, 11.
30 servants. ch. 9:28. 1 Ki. 22:33–38. 2 Ch. 35:24. the people. ch. 14:21; 21:24. 2 Ch. 36:1, 2, etc.
31 Jehoahaz. 1 Ch. 3:15. Je. 22:11, Shallum. Hamutal. ch. 24:18.
32 ch. 21:2–7, 21, 22.
33 put him. 2 Ch. 36:3, 4. Eze. 19:3, 4. Riblah. THEODORET (in Je. ch. 46,) expressly affirms that Riblah or Reblatha was in his time called Emesa. Κωμη δε εστιν η Ρεβλαθα της νυν καλουμενης Εμεσης. Emesa was a city of Syria, situated on the Orontes, and, according to the Antonine Itinerary, 18 miles from Laodicea ad Libanum. It is now called Homs, or Hems, about eight hours, or twenty-four miles S.E. of Hamah or Hamath, in the road to Damascus. The present town only occupies about one quarter of the space contained within the ancient walls, which apparently date from the time of the Saracens. Here is nothing remarkable, except a Roman sepulchre, and a large castle in ruins. ch. 25:6. Je. 39:5, 6; 52:9, 10, 26, 27. that he might not reign. or, because he reigned. put, etc. Heb. set a mulct upon the land. ch. 18:14.
34 Eliakim. 2 Ch. 36:3, 4. turned. ch. 24:17. Ge. 41:45. Da. 1:7. Jehoiakim. ‘Called Jakim, Mat. 1:11. he came. Je. 22:11, 12. Eze. 19:3, 4.
35 the silver. ver. 33. taxed. ch. 15:19, 20.
36 A.M. 3394–3405. B.C. 610–599. Jehoiakim. 1 Ch. 3:15. 2 Ch. 36:5. Je. 1:3. Rumah. JOSEPHUS here reads Abuma; but he also speaks of Ruma, a village of Galilee.
37 he did. Je. 22:13–17; 26:20–23; 36:23–26, 31. Eze. 19:5–9. all that. 2 Ch. 28:22–25; 33:4–10, 22, 23.


  CHAP. 24

  Jehoiakim, first subdued by Nebuchadnezzar, then rebelling against him, procures his own ruin, 1–4. Jehoiachin succeeds him, 5, 6. The king of Egypt is vanquished by the king of Babylon, 7. Jehoiachin’s evil reign, 8, 9. Jerusalem is taken and carried captive into Babylon, 10–16. Zedekiah is made king, and reigns ill, unto the utter destruction of Judah, 17–20.

1 his days. ch. 17:5. 2 Ch. 36:6, etc. Je. 25:1, 9; 46:2. Da. 1:1. Nebuchadnezzar. This prince, so famous in the writings of the prophets, was the son of Nabopollasar king of Babylon.
2 the Lord. ch. 6:23; 13:20, 21. De. 28:49, 50. 2 Ch. 33:11. Job 1:17. Is. 7:17; 13:5. Je. 35:11. Eze. 19:8. according. ch. 20:17; 21:12–14; 23:27. Is. 6:11, 12. Je. 25:9; 26:6, 20; 32:28. Mi. 3:12. his. Heb. the hand of his.
3 Surely. ch. 18:25. Ge. 50:20. 2 Ch. 24:24; 25:16. Is. 10:5, 6; 45:7; 46:10, 11. Am. 3:6. remove them. ch. 23:26, 27. Le. 26:33–35. De. 4:26, 27; 28:63; 29:28. Jos. 23:15. Je. 15:1–4. Mi. 2:10. for the sins. ch. 21:2–11. Ex. 20:5.
4 for the innocent. ch. 21:16. Nu. 35:33. De. 19:10. Je. 2:34; 19:4. he filled. Ps. 106:38. which. Je. 15:1, 2. La. 3:42. Eze. 33:25.
5 the rest. 2 Ch. 36:8. Je. 22:13–17; ch. 26–36.
6 A.M. 3405. B.C. 599. slept. As Jehoiakim was ‘buried with the burial of an ass,’ by being ‘drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem,’ without interment, the expression ‘slept with his fathers,’ can only mean that he died, or slept the sleep of death. In the East, a body exposed during the night would be a prey to wild animals; if any of it were left till the morning, the carnivorous birds would devour it. 2 Ch. 36:6, 8. Je. 22:18, 19; 36:30. Jehoiachin. As this man reigned only three months, and was a mere vassal of the king of Babylon, his reign is scarcely reckoned; and therefore Jeremiah (ch. 31:30) says of Jehoiakim, ‘he shall have none to sit upon the throne of David.’
7 the king. Je. 37:5–7; 46:2. from the river. Ge. 15:18. Nu. 34:5. Jos. 15:4. 1 Ki. 4:21. Is. 27:12.
8 Jehoiachin. 1 Ch. 3:16. Je. 24:1, Jeconiah. Je. 22:24, 28; 37:1, Coniah. Mat. 1:11, 12, Jechonias. eighteen years. In the parallel place, he is said to be only eight years old; but this must be a mistake, for we find that having reigned only three months, he was carried captive to Babylon, and there had wives; and had he been of such a tender age, it could scarcely have been said that, as a king, ‘he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.’ 2 Ch. 36:9.
10 At that time. Da. 1:1, 2. was besieged. Heb. came into siege. ch. 25:2.
12 Jehoiachin. 2 Ch. 36:10. Je. 24:1; 29:1, 2; 38:17, 18. Eze. 17:12. officers. or, eunuchs. took him. ch. 25:27. Je. 52:28, 31. eighth year. ‘Nebuchadnezzar’s eighth year.’ Je. 25:1; 52:28.
13 he carried. ch. 20:17. Is. 39:6. Je. 20:5. and cut. ch. 25:13–15. Ezr. 1:7–11. Je. 27:16–21; 28:3, 4, 6. Da. 5:2, 3. which Solomon. 1 Ki. 7:48–50. 2 Ch. 4:7–22.
14 all. That is, all the chief men, the nobles, and the artificers. Among these were 7000 mighty men, and 1000 craftsmen and smiths. Jerusalem. 2 Ch. 36:9, 10. Je. 24:1–5; 52:28. Eze. 1:1, 2. craftsmen. So 1 Sa. 23:19–22. the poorest sort. ch. 25:12. Je. 39:10; 40:7; 52:16. Eze. 17:14.
15 he carried. See on ver. 8. 2 Ch. 36:10. Es. 2:6. Je. 22:24–28. officers. or, eunuchs.
16 seven thousand. Je. 29:2; 52:28.
17 the king. 2 Ch. 36:10, 11. Je. 37:1; 52:1. his father’s brother. He was son of Josiah, brother to Jehoiakim, and uncle of Jehoiachin. 1 Ch. 3:15, 16. 2 Ch. 36:10. changed. The change of name was to shew Nebuchadnezzar’s supremacy, and that Zedekiah was only his vassal or viceroy. The custom of changing names, we are assured by travellers, still exists in the East. ch. 23:34. 2 Ch. 36:4.
18 A.M. 3405–3416. B.C. 599–588. Zedekiah. 2 Ch. 36:11. Je. 37:1; 52:1, etc. Hamutal. ch. 23:31.
19 And he did. ch. 23:37. 2 Ch. 36:12. Je. 24:8; ch. 37; 38. Eze. 21:25.
20 through. ch. 22:17. Ex. 9:14–17. De. 2:30. Is. 19:11–14. 1 Co. 1:20. 2 Th. 2:9–11. Zedekiah. 2 Ch. 36:13. Je. 27:12–15; 38:17–21. Eze. 17:15–20.


  CHAP. 25

  Jerusalem is besieged, 1–3. Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out, 4–7. Nebuzar-adan defaces the city, carries the remnant, except a few poor labourers, into captivity, 8–12; and spoils and carries away the treasures, 13–17. The nobles are slain at Riblah, 18–21. Gedaliah, who was over them that remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt, 22–26. Evil-merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court, 27–30.

1 A.M. 3414. B.C. 590. in the ninth. This, according to the computation of Archbishop USHER, was on Thursday, January 30th, A.M. 3414, which was a sabbatical year; wherein they proclaimed liberty to their servants, according to the law, but soon enthralled them again. (See Je. 34:8–10.) 2 Ch. 36:17, etc. Je. 34:2, 3, etc.; 39:1, etc.; 52:4, 5, etc. Eze. 24:1, 2, etc. Nebuchadnezzar. ch. 24:1, 10. 1 Ch. 6:15. Je. 27:8; 32:28; 43:10; 51:34. Eze. 26:7, Nebuchadrezzar. Da. 4:1, etc. pitched. Is. 29:3. Je. 32:24. Eze. 4:1–8; 21:22–24. Lu. 19:43, 44.
3 A.M. 3416. B.C. 588. the ninth day. Je. 39:2; 52:6. Zec. 8:19. the famine. Le. 26:26. De. 28:52, 53. La. 4:4–10. Eze. 4:9–17; 5:10, 12; 7:15; 14:21. there was no. Je. 37:21; 38:2.
4 the city. This being the ninth day of the fourth month, corresponded to Wednesday, July 27. Je. 5:10; 39:2, 3; 52:6, 7, etc. Eze. 33:21. fled. Le. 26:17, 36. De. 28:25; 32:24, 25, 30. Je. 39:4–7. and the king. ver. 5. Eze. 12:12.
5 and overtook. Is. 30:16. Je. 24:8; 39:5; 52:8. Am. 2:14–16.
6 they took. 2 Ch. 33:11. Je. 21:7; 34:21, 22; 38:23. La. 4:19, 20. Eze. 17:20, 21; 21:25–27. Riblah. ch. 23:33. Je. 52:9. gave judgment upon him. Heb. spake judgment with him.
7 they slew. Ge. 21:16; 44:34. De. 28:34. Je. 22:30; 39:6, 7; 52:10, 11. and put out. Heb. and made blind. Thus were fulfilled the apparently contradictory prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel—that his eyes should see the king of Babylon, but Babylon he should not see, though he should die there. Je. 32:4, 5; 34:3. Eze. 12:13, etc. bound him. Ju. 16:21. 2 Ch. 33:11; 36:6. Ps. 107:10, 11; 149:8. Eze. 7:27; 17:16–20.
8 in the fifth month. This answered to Wednesday, August 24; and three days after he reduced the temple to ashes, and carried Judah captive; in the 11th year of Zedekiah; the 19th of Nebuchadnezzar; 424 years, 3 months, and 8 days from the foundation of the temple; 468 years from the beginning of the reign of David; 388 years from the division of the ten tribes; and 134 years from their captivity. Je. 52:12–14. Zec. 8:19. the nineteenth. ver. 27; ch. 24:12. Nebuzar-adan. Je. 39:9–14; 40:1–4; 52:12–16. La. 4:12. captain. or, chief marshal.
9 he burnt. 1 Ki. 9:8. 2 Ch. 36:19. Ps. 74:3–7; 79:1. Is. 64:10, 11. Je. 7:14; 26:9. La. 1:10; 2:7. Mi. 3:12. Lu. 21:5, 6. Ac. 6:13, 14. the king’s. Je. 34:22; 37:8, 10; 39:8; 52:13. Am. 2:5.
10 brake. Ne. 1:3. Je. 5:10; 39:8; 52:14, etc.
11 the rest. Je. 15:1, 2; 39:9; 52:12. Eze. 5:2; 12:15, 16; 22:15, 16. fugitives. Heb. fallen away.
12 left of the poor. ch. 24:14. Je. 39:10; 40:7; 52:16. Eze. 33:24.
13 the. ch. 20:17. 2 Ch. 36:18. Je. 27:19–22; 52:17–20. La. 1:10. pillars. Ex. 27:3. 1 Ki. 7:15, 27. 2 Ch. 4:12, 13. bases. 1 Ki. 7:23–45. 2 Ch. 4:2–6, 14–16.
14 the pots. Ex. 27:3; 38:3. 1 Ki. 7:47–50. 2 Ch. 4:20–22; 24:14.
15 and such things. Ex. 37:23. Nu. 7:13, 14. 1 Ki. 7:48–51. 2 Ch. 24:14. Ezr. 1:9–11. Da. 5:2, 3.
16 one sea. Heb. the one sea. the brass. 1 Ki. 7:47.
17 one pillar. 1 Ki. 7:15, 16. Je. 52:21–23.
18 captain. ver. 24, 25, etc. Seraiah. 1 Ch. 6:14. Ezr. 7:1. Je. 52:24. Zephaniah. Je. 21:1; 29:25, 29. the second priest. Called by the Jews sagan, who officiated for the high priest in case of any temporary incapacity. door. Heb. threshold.
19 officer. or, eunuch. were in the king’s presence. Heb. saw the king’s face. Es. 1:14. principal. or, scribe of the captain of the host.
20 and brought. Je. 52:26, 27. La. 4:16.
21 the king. These men were put to death as accessaries to Zedekiah’s rebellion; for the king of Babylon had no doubt found that they had counselled him to revolt. So Judah. ch. 17:20; 23:27. Le. 26:33–35. De. 4:26; 28:36, 64. Je. 24:9, 10; 25:9–11. Eze. 12:25–28; 24:14. Am. 5:27.
22 the people. Je. 40:5, 6, etc. Gedaliah. ver. 25. Je. 39:14; 41:2. Ahikam. ch. 22:12. 2 Ch. 34:20. Je. 26:24.
23 And when. Je. 40:7–9, 11, 12. Mizpah. There were several places of the name of Mizpah, or Mizpeh, and we do not certainly know which of them this was; but it is probable that it was that situated east of Jordan, in the mountains of Gilead, (Ge. 31:49,) and most contiguous to Babylon; and therefore the most proper for the residence of Gedaliah.
24 sware to them. 2 Sa. 14:11; 19:23. Je. 40:9, 10. Eze. 33:24–29. and it shall be. Je. 40:9; 43:6.
25 seventh. Zec. 7:5; 8:19. Ishmael. Je. 40:15, 16; 41:1–15. royal. Heb. of the kingdom. ch. 11:1.
26 Je. 41:16–18; 42:14–22; 43:4–7.
27 A.M. 3442. B.C. 562. it came to pass. Je. 24:5, 6; 52:31–34. king of Babylon. Pr. 21:1. lift up the head. Ge. 40:13, 20.
28 kindly to him. Heb. good things with him. the throne. Je. 27:6–11. Da. 2:37; 5:18, 19.
29 changed. ch. 24:12. Ge. 41:14, 42. Es. 4:4; 8:15. Is. 61:3. Zec. 3:4. Lu. 15:22. he did eat bread. 2 Sa. 9:7.
30 a daily rate. Ne. 11:23; 12:47. Da. 1:5. Mat. 6:11. Lu. 11:3. Ac. 6:1. all the days of his life. Ge. 48:15, 16.


CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE TWO BOOKS OF KINGS

THE events detailed in these books are highly interesting and important. The account of the wisdom, magnificence, and extended commerce of Solomon; the rash and impolitic conduct of Rehoboam; the disobedient prophet; the widow of Zarephath; Elijah and the prophets of Baal; Ben-hadad’s pride and defeat; Elijah’s assumption into heaven; Elisha’s succession to his ministry, and the series of illustrious miracles he performed; the panic flight of the Syians; the history of Ben-hadad and Hazael; and the predicted death of Ahab and Jezebel, and their children, are all pregnant with instruction, and have furnished themes for frequent dissertation. We perceive in these impressive histories the characters and qualities of men painted with the utmost fidelity, and the attributes of God displayed with great effect: we contemplate the exact accomplishment of God’s promises and threatenings, the wisdom of his dispensations, and the mingled justice and mercy of his government. The particulars and circumstances are sketched out with a brief and lively description, and the imagination lingers with pleasure in filling up the striking outlines presented to our view. The authenticity of these books is attested by the prophecies they contain, which were subsequently fulfilled; by the citation of our Saviour and his Apostles; by their universal reception by the Jewish and Christian churches; and by the corresponding testimonies of profane authors and ancient sculptures.


B. Blayney, Thomas Scott, and R.A. Torrey with John Canne, Browne, The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, vol. 1 (London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, n.d.), 253–274.