Verse 1

twenty years . . . sixteen years. Yet his son Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he died (2 Chronicles 29:1). See note on 2 Kings 16:1.

when he: i.e. when he (Jotham). Compare Jehoiakim and Jehoachin (2 Chronicles 36:9; 2 Kings 21

not . . . like. Nor like his own father Jotham, or his son Hezekiah.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Verse 2

For. He outdid the kings of Israel: compare 2 Kings 16:3, 2 Kings 16:4, which brought forth the prophecies of Isaiah, Micah, Nahurn, and others.

Verse 3

children = sons.

heathen = nations.

Verse 4

sacrificed. Compare 2 Kings 16:4.

Verse 5

his. Which should have been his.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

the king Of Syria: i.e. Rezin, whom God raised up as a scourge.

they smote him: i.e. when they took Elath (2 Kings 16:6).

Verse 6

Pekah the son of Hemaliah. Compare 2 Kings 15:27 and Isa 7. As Pekah ends three years before Ahaz begins, this must have taken place between 632 and 629 B.C.

valiant men = sons of valour.

Verse 7

mighty man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14.

Verse 8

women, &c. These also were guilty. Compare Jeremiah 7:18.

took also away: i.e. from Jerusalem. See App-53.

Verse 9

Oded = establishing. His name is prophetic.

went out before the host. Showing his courage. reacheth up unto heaven. Figure of speech Hyperbole (App-6), to express the greatness of the rage.

Verse 10

are there not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

sins = trespasses, or guilt. Hebrew "asham. App-44.

Verse 12

certain = men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

heads. Not the king.

Johanan. Should be Jehohanan.

Verse 13

offended = trespassed. Hebrew. "asham. App-44.

Verse 14

congregation = assembly.

Verse 15

feeble = tottering.

the city of palm trees. Compare Deuteronomy 34:3.

then they returned to Samaria. Compare this account with Luke 10:30-37.

Verse 16

kings = the great king. Plural of majesty.

Verse 18

Philistines. These behind, and the Syrians before. Compare Isaiah 9:12, Isaiah 9:13.

Verse 19

Israel. See note on 2 Chronicles 21:2.

naked: i.e. had stripped Judah of the worship and service of God.

transgressed = acted treacherously: i.e. been grievously unfaithful. Hebrew. ma"al. App-44.

Verse 20

Tilgath-pilneser. Compare 2 Kings 16:10. The accounts in Kings and Chronicles are complementary. See App-56.

Verse 22

trespass. Hebrew. ma"al App-44. See note on "transgressed", 2 Chronicles 28:19.

this is that king Ahaz. Compare three specially branded transgressors: Cain (Genesis 4:15); Dathan (Numbers 26:9); and Ahaz, here. Contrast Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:12, 2 Chronicles 32:30).

Verse 23

which smote him: i.e. which [as he believed] smote him.

help them. So he falsely reasoned.

the ruin of him. As the idolatry of the Edomites ruined Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:14, 2 Chronicles 25:15).

Verse 24

gathered together. Compare 2 Kings 16:8.

shut up the doors. His son Hezekiah"s first act was to open them (2 Chronicles 29:3).

Verse 26

all his ways. Compare 2 Chronicles 27:7.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Verse 27

slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16.

in the city. Not in the sepulchres.