_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 ]