_He did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord _ Nay, he did a great deal that was wrong, very wrong, and that toward God, toward his own soul, and toward his people. He walked in the way of the revolted Israelites, and the devoted Canaanites; made molten images and worshipped them, contr... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3263. B.C. 741._ Ahaz reigns ill, 2 Chronicles 28:1. _Is smitten by the Syrians and Israelites, 2 Chronicles 28:5; who send back the captives they had taken, 2 Chronicles 28:9_. _Ahaz sends for help to the king of Assyria, but in vain, 2 Chronicles 28:16_. _Yet he continues in idolatry, 2 Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him_, &c. Jehovah was _his_ God, though not by special relation, which Ahaz had renounced, yet by his sovereign dominion over him: for God did not forfeit his right by Ahaz's denying it. _Into the hand of the king of Syria_ Who insulted him, triumphed over him,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pekah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day _ Never was such bloody work made among them before, since they were a nation, and that by Israelites too! The kingdom of Israel was not strong at this time, and yet strong enough, it appears, to bring this great destruction upon Judah. B... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children of Israel carried away captive two hundred thousand, women_, &c. When the army in the field was routed, the cities, and towns, and country villages were all easily stripped, the inhabitants taken for slaves, and their wealth for a prey.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A prophet of the Lord was there_ By this it appears God continued his prophets among the Israelites, idolatrous as they were, that he might bring them to repentance, if they would hearken to their admonitions. This prophet meets the victorious army of Israel, not to applaud their valour or congratu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye purpose to keep the children of Judah for bond-men and bond-women_ To use them, or sell them as slaves, though they are your brethren, and free-born Israelites. God takes notice of what men purpose, as well as of what they say and do. _But are there not with you, even with you, sins against the... [ Continue Reading ]
_So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes_, &c. To be disposed of as they pleased. And herein they showed a more truly heroic bravery than they did by taking them. For it is true honour to yield to reason and religion, even in spite of interest. It was a wonderful instance... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men expressed by name_ Nominated and appointed by the heads of the people, to take care of the captives, and see them well treated, which they did even to a very high degree of humanity.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Did Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him_ That is, the king, namely, Tiglath-pileser, (2 Kings 16:7,) the plural number being put for the singular, either because he was a great king, a king of kings, or because Ahaz sent to divers of his princes also, who may be called kings in a more g... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tilgath-pilneser came and distressed him_ By quartering the Assyrian soldiers upon his country, by growing insolent and imperious, and creating him a great deal of vexation, and by proving as a broken reed, which not only fails him that leans upon it, but pierces his hand. Or, _straitened_ him, (as... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is that King Ahaz_ That monster and reproach of mankind, that unteachable and incorrigible prince, whom even grievous afflictions made worse, which commonly make men better. This is he whose name deserves to be remembered and detested for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus that smote him_ Or, _which had smitten him_ formerly; that is, had enabled their worshippers, the Syrians, as he foolishly imagined, to smite him. He sacrificed to them, therefore, not because he loved them, but because he feared them, thinking they had helpe... [ Continue Reading ]