Verse 3

Benennon, "the son of Ennom," 4 K. xvi. --- Consecrated. Heb. "burnt." H.

Verse 4

Tree. Remarkable for its size and beauty; as the heathens supposed that some deity lay there concealed. Mariana. T.

Verse 5

Booty. Heb. "number of captives." H. --- The two kings had besieged Jerusalem without success: (4 K.) but now their forces were divided. M. --- The motives of this war were unjust, (Micheas ii. 8.)

Verse 7

CHAPTER XXVIII.

At the same time, is not in Hebrew (C.) or Sept. H. --- Zechri, one of the generals of Phacee, slew the king's son, &c. after the engagement. --- Next. Joseph and Aman enjoyed the like dignity, Gen. xli. 42., and Esther xiii. 3. The high priests had also seconds, 4 K. xxv. 18. Sept. "vicar of the king." C.

Verse 9

Heaven, and cries for vengeance against you. Though God designed to punish his people, your cruelty will not be excused. H. --- The effect of this remonstrance, shews that all the kingdom of Israel was not devoid (C.) of feeling and religion. H. --- They set a noble example for Christian princes to follow after a victory. D.

Verse 10

God, who forbids this, Lev. xxv. 43., and Micheas ii. 8, 9. Heb. "are there not with you, yea, with you, sins against?" &c. If Juda have deserved punishment, reflect if you also be not guilty, v. 13. Sept. "Behold, am I not here with you to bear witness to the Lord?"

Verse 13

Our, is expressed in Heb. and Sept. These people justly confess that they stand in need of pardon, without adding fresh crimes. H. --- The cruel treatment of the people of Juda, and the design to make them slaves, were grievous sins. C.

Verse 15

Above. Heb. "by name." They deserved to be immortalized. H. --- Anointed. This was very common, (M.) and refreshing. Celsus i. 3.

Verse 16

Kings. Heb. "kings." But Sept. have the singular, 4 K. xvi. 7.

Verse 17

And. Sept. "Because the Edomites had come,...and taken many prisoners." Prot. "for again," &c. H.

Verse 18

Gamzo. Syriac, "Garam," perhaps Gaza, (C.) or a city south of Juda. M.

Verse 19

Of Juda. Heb. "Israel." But the Sept. have "Juda." H. --- The names are often used promiscuously. C. --- For he. Sept. "because he or it had apostatised from the Lord." --- Script. Prot. "he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore," &c. Thus were the idolatrous Israelites exposed to shame and misery, after they had adored the golden calf, Ex. xxxii. 25. H. --- In the Bacchanalian riots, the pagans threw off their garments, to shew that they trusted entirely in their false gods. T. --- Achaz had plunged his country in distress, (C.) both of soul and body, (H.) by his scandalous deportment. C. --- Of all help, is added by way of explanation; (T.) as God would no longer rescue his rebellious people from the hands of the enemy. H.

Verse 20

And. Heb. and Sept. "And....the king....came against him, and smote him." Hebrew continues, "but strengthened him not" in the end; though he had been invited, (v. 16.; H.) and had actually made a diversion in favour of Achaz. But not being satisfied, he afterwards returned, and made cruel havoc in the country, imposing tribute upon the king, v. 21., 4 K. xvi. 7., and xviii. 7. It is therefore unnecessary to correct the Hebrew, with Grotius, to make it agree with 4 K. xvi. 7. Thus---he "came to his aid, and relieved him from his distress, (v. 21,) and granted him assistance."

Verse 21

Gifts. Tribute. C. --- Heb. "and gave it to, &c.: but he did not help him." H.

Verse 22

Moreover. Sept. "but to distress him." --- Wicked policy availeth nothing, but entails much evil. W. --- King. Heb. "that king Achaz." The sacred writer thus stigmatizes the impious king, who grew worse the more he was scourged. H. --- This was the monster, which could not be tamed. Amama --- Eva. "ille," is five times used as a reproach, and often to signify applause. Kimchi --- By himself, is an addition. Amama --- It gives us to understand (H.) that Achaz acted thus of his own accord. C. --- Sept. "And king Achaz said, (23) I will studiously seek the gods of Damascus, who have buffetted me," &c. H. --- This resolution he took while the arms of Rasin were formidable to him: but he put it in execution after the king of Assyria had delivered him, when he went to Damascus to return him thanks, 4 K. xvi. 10. This stupid blindness and impiety irritated God so much, that he abandoned Juda to the arms of the king, who had been called in as a protector. How could he expect aid from gods who had suffered their own country and people of Damascus to fall a prey to the invader! C.

Verse 24

God: first through fear of the Assyrian, (4 K.) but afterwards he permitted it to continue in the same state of irreligion. C. --- So easily do people fall into this abyss, who begin to neglect instruction! H. --- Ezechias took care to open the temple again, C. xxix. 3. C. --- None of the former kings had dared (H.) to prohibit the worship of the true God. T.

Verse 27

Israel is put as comprising Juda. H. C. xx. 34., and xxiv. 16., &c. C.

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