2 Kings 16:15

Upon the great altar By this name he distinguishes his own altar. We know nothing of its dimensions but we need not refer the adjective -great" to the size of the structure. The king calls it so, because he means it to be the -principal" altar. The same adjective is used for the -eldest" among sons, and for the -chief" among priests.

For an account of the burnt offering, which was accompanied also by a meal offering and a drink offering, see Exodus 29:38-42. These burnt offerings were offered, according to the original ordinance, every morning and every evening, and double as much on the Sabbath (Numbers 28:9-10). It would almost appear that in the time of Ahaz the Mosaic ritual was relaxed, and the burnt offering made in the morning and the meal offering in the evening. But this is not clear.

the king's burnt sacrifice R.V. offering. The word is the same as in the previous clause, and in that which follows immediately.

all the blood of the sacrifice The change made in the previous note was most needful, because here we have a different word, and one which is always rendered -sacrifice". The distinction between -burnt offering" and -sacrifice", of both which all the blood is commanded to be sprinkled on the new altar, is that in the former the whole animal was consumed in the fire, whereas in -sacrifices", e.g. of peace offerings, only some portion of the victim was burnt, and the other parts eaten by the offerers.

and[R.V. but] the brasen altar shall be for me to inquireby] No doubt the verb here used is found in the sense of -to inquire" after God and God's will, as in Psalms 27:4 -to inquire in His temple", though in that verse some render -to consider" -to look with pleasure upon". But Ahaz was not minded to do any such thing. He was casting away Jehovah's worship as fully and as fast as he could. It seems better therefore to render these words -but as regards the brasen altar it shall be for me to inquire", i.e. I will see later on what shall be done with it. The Vulgate renders - paratum erit ad voluntatem meam", i.e. it shall be used as I hereafter decide. So the verb is found in Proverbs 20:25, -It is a snare … after vows to make inquiry", i.e. to deliberate and consider whether they shall be paid or not. The LXX. has read the verb with different vowel points and renders it -for the morning" (εἰς τὸ πρωὶ).