And he brought in, &c — He found Judah low and naked, yet did not
make it his first business to revive the civil interests of his
kingdom, but to restore religion to a good posture. Those that begin
with God, begin at the right end of their work; and it will prosper
accordingly.... [ Continue Reading ]
Filthiness — That filthy altar, which Ahaz had put in the place of
God's altar, 2 Kings 16:11, and the idols, or other abominable things
which were there.... [ Continue Reading ]
Turned, &c. — They have wilfully and obstinately forsaken God and
his worship; that posture being a signification of contempt.... [ Continue Reading ]
They — He saith not, my father, because it became him as a son, to
be as tender as might be of his father's name: and because his father
would not have done all this, if their fathers had not neglected their
duty.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hissing — To such calamities as all that see and hear of, shall be
astonished at, and hiss at those, who by their own sin and folly have
brought such miseries upon themselves. When we are under the rebukes
of God's providence, it is good for us to enquire, Whether we have not
neglected God's ordinan... [ Continue Reading ]
Captivity — Tho' they were presently released, 2 Chronicles 28:5, 2
Chronicles 28:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sons — So he calls them, though many of them were elder than
himself, because he was by his tender love and affection, as he was by
his office obliged to be, a nursing father to them. Negligent — In
sanctifying yourselves and the temple, 2 Chronicles 29:5, and in
quickening and preparing yourselves... [ Continue Reading ]
To cleanse — From the dirt it had contracted, while it was so long
shut up; from dust, cobwebs, and the rust of the vessels. Much more
from the idols, and idolatrous altars which had been set up therein.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first day — A happy beginning of the new year! Thus should every
year begin with the reformation of what is amiss, and the purging away
of all the defilements contracted the foregoing year.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sanctified — Tho' the vessels of the sanctuary may be profaned for a
while, God will find a time and a way to sanctify them. Neither his
ordinances nor his obedient people, shall be suffered to fail forever.... [ Continue Reading ]
Seven — The number seven is customary in sacred matters, and is here
used in regard of the vast numbers and various kinds of sins, the
guilt whereof yet lay upon the kingdom, which was now to be expiated.
Indeed, in case of one particular sin of ignorance done by the people,
there was but one bulloc... [ Continue Reading ]
They laid — The king and the elders of the congregation in the name
of the whole congregation.... [ Continue Reading ]
The song — The psalms composed by David and Asaph. Even sorrow for
sin must not put us out of tune for praising God. By faith we must
even then rejoice in the Lord our righteousness, and our prayers and
praises must attend with his offering, to be accepted only in the
virtue of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Consecrated — Now that you have reconciled yourselves and the house
to God, and that he is willing and ready to accept your sacrifices.
Burnt — offerings — Wherein there was more generosity than in the
other sacrifices, because they were wholly burnt and offered to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Consecrated things — All the offerings consecrated to God, besides
the burnt — offerings already mentioned.... [ Continue Reading ]
Too few — Such as were sanctified and fit for their work, as the
following words shew: for otherwise the number of the priests was more
than sufficient for this employment. Burnt — offerings — And much
less all the other sacrifices, which were more numerous; the slaying
whereof was the priests prope... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoiced — It was, as a very great, so a sudden change, that the
people, who but the other day were so ready to comply with wicked Ahaz
in his idolatrous presumptions, were now so free and forward in God's
service: whereby it plainly appeared to be the work of God, changing
their hearts by his Holy... [ Continue Reading ]