Verse 1

Azarias is called Oded in Hebrew, ver. 8. (Calmet) --- But he was his son. (Haydock) --- There was a high priest of the name of Azarias, about the same time. (Menochius)

Verse 2

With him. He will continue thus to protect you, if you prove faithful. The Pelagians hence inferred, that man was to prepare his own heart for the reception of grace. But the text only speaks of external aid; and though it were understood of internal grace, (Calmet) we may merit an increase of grace, by a faithful co-operation (Worthington) with that which God has presented us. (Estius) (Calmet)

Verse 3

Shall pass, is not found in Hebrew, &c., and many supply, "had been." (Du Hamel) --- The Jews, and some interpreters, would explain all this of what had passed already; (Calmet) and this is the idea of the Protestants, "Now, for a long season, Israel hath been without," &c. (Haydock) --- But the conclusion convinces us that this is a prediction; (ver. 7) take courage. You shall not be involved in these miseries. Some explain the whole of the kingdom of Israel, which, from its commencement till after its final ruin, persevered in its rebellion against the true God. (Sanctius) --- Others think the kingdom of Juda was also concerned, and its state of captivity at Babylon foretold. (Lyranus) --- But its full completion includes the latter ages, particularly after the murder of the Messias, (Tirinus) and seems of the same nature as the prophecy of Osee, (iii. 4.) as our Saviour himself insinuates, Matthew xxiv. 6, 9, 13. (Calmet)

Verse 4

And when. Septuagint, "and he shall convert them to the Lord,...and shall be found by them." (Haydock) --- This will be verified in the last days, Romans xi. 26. (Menochius)

Verse 5

Cometh in, in public or private transactions. See Leviticus xxvi. 36.

Verse 6

Nation, both in the times of Baasa, who fought against Asa, and afterwards. For the same prophecy may be literally explained of more thing than one. (Menochius) --- Distress. Our Saviour says, Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, &c. But he that shall persevere to the end, shall be saved. [Matthew xxiv. 9-13.]

Verse 8

Azarias, the son, is omitted in Hebrew and the Vatican Septuagint, which reads Adad, (Haydock) but it is supplied in the other editions, and in the Syriac, (Calmet) as [in] ver. 1. (Haydock) --- Taken: we do not read on what occasion, chap. xvii. 2. His father had seized upon Bethel, &c., chap. xiii. 19. (Calmet) --- Yet Asa waged war himself with the king of Israel. --- Dedicated. Septuagint, "renewed," as the altar had been neglected, or injured by the continual fire; (Menochius) or this was the extraordinary (Haydock) altar, which Solomon had used at the dedication of the temple. The multitude of Asa's victims required more than one, ver. 11. It is not probable that God's worship had been neglected till the 15th year of this pious king, (ver. 9) since even his wicked father was punctual in this respect, chap. xiii. 11. Before, at the higher end of the priests' court, to the east of the altar of holocausts. (Calmet)

Verse 9

Simeon. This tribe was intimately connected with that of Juda, though many had revolted. Some afterwards returned, as they did from other parts, actuated either by motives of interest or of religion, chap. xxxiv. 6., and 3 Kings xi. 13. (Calmet)

Verse 10

Month, Sivan, or May, when the feast of Pentecost occurs. (Menochius)

Verse 11

Spoils, which they had sold, and now testified their gratitude. (Tirinus) --- Rams. Protestants, "sheep."

Verse 12

He went. Hebrew and Septuagint, "They proceeded, according to the covenant, to seek." (Haydock) --- They swore upon the altar, or passed between the divided victims, Genesis xv. 9, 17. (Calmet) --- This solemn act was usual, and more necessary in times of trouble. (Menochius)

Verse 13

Said he, is not in Hebrew, &c. (Haydock) --- Die, according to Deuteronomy xvii. 7.

Verse 15

CHAPTER XV.

Curse. Hebrew, "oath." (Menochius) --- Septuagint, "all Juda rejoiced on account of the oath." (Haydock)

Verse 16

Mother, or grandmother. (Calmet) --- There were perhaps two of the name, and Abia had married one as well as Roboam. (Menochius) --- Deposed, &c. Hebrew, "from being queen." Septuagint, "he removed Maacha,...that she should not minister to Astarte; and he cut the idol in pieces, and burnt it," &c. (Haydock) --- Syriac, "because she had celebrated a feast to idols." But it seems she had set up a stone, which Asa burnt. See 3 Kings xv. 13. (Calmet) --- Priapus is added by the Vulgate to explain [the] Hebrew, "the idol of, or in the grove," (Haydock) Asera or Astarte. (Calmet)

Verse 17

Israel, to the honour only of the true God, chap. xiv. 2., and 3 Kings xv. 14. (Haydock) --- Perfect, with respect to the external worship, (Tirinus) or hitherto, (Haydock) though he offended afterwards, chap. xvi. 7, 12. T. --- Other altars, besides that at Jerusalem, might be dispensed with, (Worthington) by God's authority. (Haydock)

Verse 18

Vowed, in the wars against Jeroboam and Zara. See 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. 27.

Verse 19

Year. Usher dates from the separation of the two kingdoms; and this year corresponds with the 15th of Asa, ver. 10. See 3 Kings xv. 16. (Calmet) (Torniel, the year of the world 3094.)

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