mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 32.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xxxiii" n="xxxiii" next="iiCh.xxxiv" prev="iiCh.xxxii" progress="87.53%" title="Chapter XXXII">
<h2 id="iiCh.xxxiii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xxxiii-p0.2">CHAP. XXXII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1">This chapter continues and concludes the history
of the reign of Hezekiah. I. The descent which Sennacherib made
upon him, and the care he took to fortify himself, his city, and
the minds of his people, against that enemy, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.1-2Chr.32.8" parsed="|2Chr|32|1|32|8" passage="2Ch 32:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. II. The insolent blasphemous
letters and messages which Sennacherib sent him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.9-2Chr.32.19" parsed="|2Chr|32|9|32|19" passage="2Ch 32:9-19">ver. 9-19</scripRef>. III. The real answer God gave
to Sennacherib's blasphemies, and to Hezekiah's prayers, in the
total rout of the Assyrian army, to the shame of Sennacherib and
the honour of Hezekiah, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.20-2Chr.32.23" parsed="|2Chr|32|20|32|23" passage="2Ch 32:20-23">ver.
20-23</scripRef>. IV. Hezekiah's sickness and his recovery from
that, his sin and his recovery from that, with the honours that
attended him living and dead, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.24-2Chr.32.33" parsed="|2Chr|32|24|32|33" passage="2Ch 32:24-33">ver.
24-33</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xxxiii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32" parsed="|2Chr|32|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 32" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xxxiii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.1-2Chr.32.8" parsed="|2Chr|32|1|32|8" passage="2Ch 32:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.32.1-2Chr.32.8">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1.7">Sennacherib's Invasion; Hezekiah's Patient
Confidence. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 713.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p2">1 After these things, and the establishment
thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah,
and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for
himself.   2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come,
and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,   3 He
took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters
of the fountains which <i>were</i> without the city: and they did
help him.   4 So there was gathered much people together, who
stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst
of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find
much water?   5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all
the wall that was broken, and raised <i>it</i> up to the towers,
and another wall without, and repaired Millo <i>in</i> the city of
David, and made darts and shields in abundance.   6 And he set
captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him
in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to
them, saying,   7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor
dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that
<i>is</i> with him: for <i>there be</i> more with us than with him:
  8 With him <i>is</i> an arm of flesh; but with us <i>is</i>
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p2.1">Lord</span> our God to help us, and to
fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words
of Hezekiah king of Judah.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p3">Here is, I. The formidable design of
Sennacherib against Hezekiah's kingdom, and the vigorous attempt he
made upon it. This Sennacherib was now, as Nebuchadnezzar was
afterwards, the terror and scourge and great oppressor of that part
of the world. He aimed to raise a boundless monarchy for himself
upon the ruins of all his neighbours. His predecessor Shalmaneser
had lately made himself master of the kingdom of Israel, and
carried the ten tribes captives. Sennacherib thought, in like
manner, to win Judah for himself. Pride and ambition put men upon
grasping at universal dominion. It is observable that, just about
this time, Rome, a city which afterwards came to reign more than
any other had done <i>over the kings of the earth,</i> was built by
Romulus. Sennacherib invaded Judah immediately after the
reformation of it and the re-establishment of religion in it:
<i>After these things he entered into Judah,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.1" parsed="|2Chr|32|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. 1. It was well ordered by the
divine Providence that he did not give them this disturbance before
the reformation was finished and established, as it might then have
put a stop to it. 2. Perhaps he intended to chastise Hezekiah for
destroying that idolatry to which he himself was devoted. He looked
upon Hezekiah as profane in what he had done, and as having thrown
himself out of the divine protection. He accordingly considered him
as one who might easily be made a prey of. 3. God ordered it at
this time that he might have an opportunity of showing himself
strong on the behalf of this returning reforming people. He brought
this trouble upon them that he might have the honour, and might put
on them the honour, of their deliverance. <i>After these things,
and the establishment thereof,</i> one would have expected to hear
of nothing but perfect peace, and that none durst meddle with a
people thus qualified for the divine favour; yet the next news we
hear is that a threatening destroying army enters the country, and
is ready to lay all waste. We may be in the way of our duty and yet
meet with trouble and danger. God orders it so for the trial of our
confidence in him and the manifestation of his care concerning us.
The little opposition which Sennacherib met with in entering Judah
induced him to imagine that all was his own. He thought to <i>win
all the fenced cities</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.1" parsed="|2Chr|32|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), and purposed to <i>fight against Jerusalem,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.2" parsed="|2Chr|32|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.18.7 Bible:2Kgs.18.13" parsed="|2Kgs|18|7|0|0;|2Kgs|18|13|0|0" passage="2Ki 18:7,13">2 Kings xviii. 7, 13</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p4">II. The preparation which Hezekiah
prudently made against this storm that threatened him: <i>He took
counsel with his princes</i> what he should do, what measures he
should take, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.3" parsed="|2Chr|32|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>.
With their advice he provided, 1. That the country should give him
a cold reception, for he took care that he should find no water in
it (and then his army must perish for thirst), or at least that
there should be a scarcity of water, by which his army would be
weakened and unfitted for service. A powerful army, if it want
water but a few days, will be but a heap of dry dust. All hands
were set immediately to work to <i>stop up the fountains,</i> and
<i>the brook that ran through the midst of the land,</i> turning
that (it is probable) into the city by pipes under-ground. Such as
this is the policy commonly practised now-a-days of destroying the
forage before an invading army. 2. That the city should give him a
warm reception. In order to this he repaired the wall, raised
towers, and made darts (or, as it is in the margin, <i>swords</i>
or <i>weapons</i>) and shields in abundance (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.5" parsed="|2Chr|32|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), and appointed captains,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.6" parsed="|2Chr|32|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Note, Those
that trust God with their safety must yet use proper means for
their safety, otherwise they tempt him, and do not trust him.
<i>God will provide,</i> but so must we also.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5">III. The encouragement which he gave to his
people to depend upon God in this distress. He gathered them
together in a broad open street, and <i>spoke comfortably to
them,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.6" parsed="|2Chr|32|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. He
was himself undaunted, being confident the invasion would issue
well. He was not like his father, who had much guilt to terrify him
and no faith to encourage him, so that, in a time of public danger,
<i>his heart was moved, as the trees of the wood are moved with the
wind,</i> and then no marvel that <i>the heart of his people was so
too,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.7.2" parsed="|Isa|7|2|0|0" passage="Isa 7:2">Isa. vii. 2</scripRef>. With
what he said he put life into his people, his captains especially,
and <i>spoke to their heart,</i> as the word is. 1. He endeavoured
to keep down their fears: "<i>Be strong and courageous;</i> do not
think of surrendering the city or capitulating, but resolve to hold
it out to the last man; do not think of losing the city, nor of
falling into the enemy's hand; there is no danger. Let the soldiers
be bold and brave, make good their posts, stand to their arms, and
fight manfully, and let the citizens encourage them to do so: <i>Be
not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria.</i>" The prophet
had thus encouraged them from God (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.24" parsed="|Isa|10|24|0|0" passage="Isa 10:24">Isa. x. 24</scripRef>): <i>Be not afraid of the
Assyrians;</i> and here the king from him. Now it was that <i>the
sinners in Zion were afraid</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.33.14" parsed="|Isa|33|14|0|0" passage="Isa 33:14">Isa.
xxxiii. 14</scripRef>), but the righteous <i>dwelt on high</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.33.15-Isa.33.16" parsed="|Isa|33|15|33|16" passage="Isa 33:15,16">Isa. xxxiii. 15, 16</scripRef>)
and <i>meditated on terror</i> so as to conquer it. See <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.33.18" parsed="|Isa|33|18|0|0" passage="Isa 33:18">Isa. xxxiii. 18</scripRef>, which refers to
what is recorded here. 2. He endeavoured to keep up their faith, in
order to the silencing and suppressing of their fears. "Sennacherib
has a <i>multitude with him,</i> and yet there are <i>more with us
than with him;</i> for we have God with us, and how many do you
reckon him for? With our enemy is an arm of flesh, which he trusts
to; but <i>with us is the Lord,</i> whose power is irresistible,
our God, whose promise is inviolable, a God in covenant with us,
<i>to help us, and to fight our battles,</i> not only to help us to
fight them, but to fight them for us if he please:" and so he did
here. Note, A believing confidence in God will raise us above the
prevailing fear of man. He that <i>feareth the fury of the
oppressor forgetteth the Lord his Maker,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.51.12-Isa.51.13" parsed="|Isa|51|12|51|13" passage="Isa 51:12,13">Isa. li. 12, 13</scripRef>. It is probable that
Hezekiah said more to this purport, and that the people rested
themselves upon what he said, not merely upon his word, but on the
things he said concerning the presence of God with them and his
power to relieve them, the belief of which made them easy. Let the
good subjects and soldiers of Jesus Christ rest thus upon his word,
and boldly say, <i>Since God is for us, who can be against
us?</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xxxiii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.9-2Chr.32.23" parsed="|2Chr|32|9|32|23" passage="2Ch 32:9-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.32.9-2Chr.32.23">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.9">The Destruction of the
Assyrians. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p5.10">b. c.</span> 713.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6">9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria
send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he <i>himself laid siege</i>
against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of
Judah, and unto all Judah that <i>were</i> at Jerusalem, saying,
  10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye
trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?   11 Doth not
Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and
by thirst, saying, The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6.1">Lord</span> our God
shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?   12
Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his
altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship
before one altar, and burn incense upon it?   13 Know ye not
what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of <i>other</i>
lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to
deliver their lands out of mine hand?   14 Who <i>was
there</i> among all the gods of those nations that my fathers
utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand,
that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
  15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade
you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any
nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand,
and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God
deliver you out of mine hand?   16 And his servants spake yet
<i>more</i> against the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6.2">Lord</span> God,
and against his servant Hezekiah.   17 He wrote also letters
to rail on the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6.3">Lord</span> God of Israel,
and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of
<i>other</i> lands have not delivered their people out of mine
hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of
mine hand.   18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews'
speech unto the people of Jerusalem that <i>were</i> on the wall,
to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the
city.   19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as
against the gods of the people of the earth, <i>which were</i> the
work of the hands of man.   20 And for this <i>cause</i>
Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed
and cried to heaven.   21 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6.4">Lord</span> sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty
men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king
of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And
when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of
his own bowels slew him there with the sword.   22 Thus the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6.5">Lord</span> saved Hezekiah and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of
Assyria, and from the hand of all <i>other,</i> and guided them on
every side.   23 And many brought gifts unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p6.6">Lord</span> to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king
of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from
thenceforth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p7">This story of the rage and blasphemy of
Sennacherib, Hezekiah's prayer, and the deliverance of Jerusalem by
the destruction of the Assyrian army, we had more at large in the
book of Kings, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.18.1-2Kgs.19.37" parsed="|2Kgs|18|1|19|37" passage="2Ki 18:1-19:37">2 Kings xviii.
and xix.</scripRef> It is contracted here, yet large enough to show
these three things:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8">I. The impiety and malice of the church's
enemies. Sennacherib has his hands full in besieging Lachish
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.9" parsed="|2Chr|32|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), but hears
that Hezekiah is fortifying Jerusalem and encouraging his people to
stand it out; and therefore, before he come in person to besiege
it, he sends messengers to make speeches, and he himself writes
letters to frighten Hezekiah and his people into a surrender of the
city. See, 1. His great malice against the king of Judah, in
endeavouring to withdraw his subjects from their allegiance to him.
He did not treat with Hezekiah as a man of honour would have done,
nor propose fair terms to him, but used mean and base artifices,
unbecoming a crowned head, to terrify the common people and
persuade them to desert him. He represented Hezekiah as one who
designed to deceive his subjects into their ruin and betray them
<i>to famine and thirst</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.11" parsed="|2Chr|32|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), as one who had done them
great wrong and exposed them already to the divine displeasure by
taking away the high places and altars (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.12" parsed="|2Chr|32|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), and who, against the common
interest of his people, held out against a force that would
certainly be their ruin, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.15" parsed="|2Chr|32|15|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. 2. His great impiety against the God of Israel,
<i>the God of Jerusalem</i> he is called (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.19" parsed="|2Chr|32|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), because that was the place he
had chosen to put his name there, and because that was the place
which was now threatened by the enemy and which the divine
Providence had under its special protection. This proud blasphemer
compared the great Jehovah, the Maker of heaven and earth, with the
dunghill gods of the nations, the work of men's hands, and thought
him no more able to deliver his worshippers than they were to
deliver theirs (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.19" parsed="|2Chr|32|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>), as if an infinite and eternal Spirit had no more
wisdom and power than a stone or the stock of a tree. He boasted of
his triumphs over the gods of the nations, that they could none of
them protect their people (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.13-2Chr.32.15" parsed="|2Chr|32|13|32|15" passage="2Ch 32:13-15"><i>v.</i> 13-15</scripRef>), and thence inferred not
only, <i>How shall your God deliver you?</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.14" parsed="|2Chr|32|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), but, as if he were inferior
to them all, <i>How much less shall your God deliver you?</i> as if
he were less able to help than any of them. Thus did they rail,
rail in writing (which, being more deliberate, is so much the
worse), <i>on the Lord God of Israel,</i> as if he were a cipher
and an empty name, like all the rest, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.9" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.17" parsed="|2Chr|32|17|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Sennacherib, in the
instructions he gave, said more than enough; but, as if his
blasphemies had been too little, his servants, who learned
insolence from their master, spoke yet more than he bade them
<i>against the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.10" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.16" parsed="|2Chr|32|16|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. And God resents what
is said against his servants, and will reckon for it, as well as
what is said against himself. All this was intended to frighten the
people from their hope in God, which David's enemies sought to take
him off from (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.11" osisRef="Bible:Ps.11.1 Bible:Ps.42.10" parsed="|Ps|11|1|0|0;|Ps|42|10|0|0" passage="Ps 11:1,42:10">Ps. xi. 1; xlii.
10</scripRef>), saying, <i>There is no help for him in God,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.12" osisRef="Bible:Ps.3.2 Bible:Ps.71.11" parsed="|Ps|3|2|0|0;|Ps|71|11|0|0" passage="Ps 3:2,71:11">Ps. iii. 2; lxxi. 11</scripRef>.
Thus they hoped to take the city by weakening the hands of those
that should defend it. Satan, in his temptations, aims to destroy
our faith in God's all-sufficiency, knowing that he shall gain his
point if he can do that; as we keep our ground if our <i>faith fail
not,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p8.13" osisRef="Bible:Luke.22.32" parsed="|Luke|22|32|0|0" passage="Lu 22:32">Luke xxii. 32</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p9">II. The duty as well as the interest of the
church's friends, and that is in the day of distress to pray and
cry to Heaven. So Hezekiah did, and the prophet Isaiah, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.20" parsed="|2Chr|32|20|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. It was a happy time
when the king and the prophet joined thus in prayer. Is any
troubled? Is any terrified? Let him pray. So we engage God for us;
so we encourage ourselves in him. Praying to God is here called
<i>crying to Heaven,</i> because we are, in prayer, to eye him as
our Father in heaven, whence he beholds the children of men, and
where he has prepared his throne.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p10">III. The power and goodness of the church's
God. He is able both to control his enemies, be they ever so high,
and to relieve his friends, be they ever so low.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p11">1. As the blasphemies of his enemies engage
him against them (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.27" parsed="|Deut|32|27|0|0" passage="De 32:27">Deut. xxxii.
27</scripRef>), so the prayers of his people engage him for them.
They did so here. (1.) The army of the Assyrians was cut off by the
sword of an angel, which triumphed particularly in the slaughter of
the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains, who defied
the sword of any man. God delights to abase the proud and secure.
The Targum says, The Word of the Lord (the eternal Word) sent
Gabriel to do this execution, and that it was done with lightning,
and in the passover night: that was the night in which the angel
destroyed the first-born of Egypt. But that was not all. (2.) The
king of the Assyrians, having received this disgrace, was cut off
by the sword of his own sons. Those that <i>came forth of his own
bowels slew him,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.21" parsed="|2Chr|32|21|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. Thus was he mortified first, and then
murdered—shamed first, and then slain. Evil pursues sinners; and,
when they escape one mischief, they run upon another unseen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p12">2. By this work of wonder, (1.) God was
glorified, as the protector of his people. Thus he saved Jerusalem,
not only from the hand of Sennacherib, but from the hand <i>of all
others,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.22" parsed="|2Chr|32|22|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>;
for such a deliverance as this was an earnest of much mercy in
store; and he <i>guided them,</i> that is, he guarded them, on
every side. God defends his people by directing them, shows them
what they should do, and so saves them from what is designed or
done against them. For this <i>many brought gifts unto the
Lord,</i> when they saw the great power of God in the defence of
his people. Strangers were thereby induced to supplicate his favour
and enemies to deprecate his wrath, and both brought gifts to his
temple, in token of their care and desire. (2.) Hezekiah was
magnified as the favourite and particular care of Heaven. Many
<i>brought presents to him</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.22-2Chr.32.23" parsed="|2Chr|32|22|32|23" passage="2Ch 32:22,23"><i>v.</i> 22, 23</scripRef>), in token of the honour
they had for him, and to make an interest in him. By the favour of
God enemies are lost and friends gained.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xxxiii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.24-2Chr.32.33" parsed="|2Chr|32|24|32|33" passage="2Ch 32:24-33" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.32.24-2Chr.32.33">
<h4 id="iiCh.xxxiii-p12.4">The Death of Hezekiah. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p12.5">b. c.</span> 698.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p13">24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death,
and prayed unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p13.1">Lord</span>: and he
spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.   25 But Hezekiah
rendered not again according to the benefit <i>done</i> unto him;
for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him,
and upon Judah and Jerusalem.   26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah
humbled himself for the pride of his heart, <i>both</i> he and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p13.2">Lord</span> came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
  27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he
made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious
stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of
pleasant jewels;   28 Storehouses also for the increase of
corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and
cotes for flocks.   29 Moreover he provided him cities, and
possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him
substance very much.   30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the
upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the
west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his
works.   31 Howbeit in <i>the business of</i> the ambassadors
of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the
wonder that was <i>done</i> in the land, God left him, to try him,
that he might know all <i>that was</i> in his heart.   32 Now
the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they
<i>are</i> written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of
Amoz, <i>and</i> in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
  33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him
in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all
Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death.
And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p14">Here we conclude the story of Hezekiah with
an account of three things concerning him:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p15">I. His sickness and his recovery from it,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.24" parsed="|2Chr|32|24|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. The account
of his sickness is but briefly mentioned here; we had a large
narrative of it, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.20.1-2Kgs.20.11" parsed="|2Kgs|20|1|20|11" passage="2Ki 20:1-11">2 Kings
xx.</scripRef> His disease seemed likely to be mortal. In the
extremity of it he prayed. God answered him, and gave him a sign
that he should recover, the going back of the sun ten degrees.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16">II. His sin and his repentance for it,
which were also more largely related, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.20.12-2Kgs.20.21" parsed="|2Kgs|20|12|20|21" passage="2Ki 20:12-21">2 Kings xx. 12</scripRef>, &amp;c. Yet several
things are here observed concerning his sin which we had not there.
1. The occasion of it was the king of Babylon's sending an
honourable embassy to him to congratulate him on his recovery. But
here it is added that they came to enquire of <i>the wonder that
was done in the land</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.31" parsed="|2Chr|32|31|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:31"><i>v.</i>
31</scripRef>), either the destruction of the Assyrian army or the
going back of the sun. The Assyrians were their enemies; they came
to enquire concerning their fall, that they might triumph in it.
The sun was their god; they came to enquire concerning the favour
he had shown to Hezekiah, that they might honour him whom their god
honoured, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.31" parsed="|2Chr|32|31|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
These miracles were wrought to alarm and awaken a stupid careless
world, and turn them from dumb and lame idols to the living God;
and men were startled by them, but not converted till a greater
wonder was done in that land, in the appearing of Jesus Christ,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.2.1-Matt.2.2" parsed="|Matt|2|1|2|2" passage="Mt 2:1,2">Matt. ii. 1, 2</scripRef>. 2. God left
him to himself in it, to try him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.31" parsed="|2Chr|32|31|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. God, by the power of his
almighty grace, could have prevented the sin; but he permitted it
for wise and holy ends, that, by this trial and his weakness in it,
he might know, that is, it might be known (a usual Hebraism), what
was in his heart, that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought
he was, but had his follies and infirmities as other men. God left
him to himself to be proud of his wealth, to keep him from being
proud of his holiness. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our
own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited or
self-confident, but may always think meanly of ourselves and live
in a dependence upon divine grace. We know not the corruption of
our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leave us to ourselves.
<i>Lord, lead us not into temptation.</i> 3. His sin was that <i>his
heart was lifted up,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.25" parsed="|2Chr|32|25|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>. He was proud of the honour God had put upon him in
so many instances, the honour his neighbours did him in bringing
him presents, and now that the king of Babylon should send an
embassy to him to caress and court him: this exalted him above
measure. When Hezekiah had destroyed other idolatries he began to
idolize himself. O what need have great men, and good men, and
useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their
obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of
themselves, and to beg earnestly of God that he will hide pride
from them and always keep them humble! 4. The aggravation of his
sin was that he made so bad a return to God for his favours to him,
making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.25" parsed="|2Chr|32|25|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>): <i>He rendered not
again according to the benefit done unto him.</i> Note, It is
justly expected that those who have received mercy from God should
study to make some suitable returns for the mercies they have
received; and, if they do not, their ingratitude will certainly be
charged upon them. Though we cannot render an equivalent, or the
payment of a debt, we must render the acknowledgment of a favour.
<i>What shall I render</i> that may be so accepted? <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.116.12" parsed="|Ps|116|12|0|0" passage="Ps 116:12">Ps. cxvi. 12</scripRef>. 5. The divine
displeasure he was under for this sin; though it was but a
heart-sin, and the overt-act seemed not only innocent but civil
(the showing of his treasures to a friend), yet wrath came upon him
and his kingdom for it, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p16.9" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.25" parsed="|2Chr|32|25|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>. Note, Pride is a sin that God hates as much as any,
and particularly in his own people. Those that exalt themselves
must expect to be abased, and put under humbling providences. Wrath
came on David for his pride in numbering the people. 6. His
repentance for this sin: <i>He humbled himself for the pride of his
heart.</i> Note, (1.) Though God may, for wise and holy ends,
suffer his people to fall into sin, yet he will not suffer them to
lie still in it; they <i>shall not be utterly cast down.</i> (2.)
Heart-sins are to be repented of, though they go no further. (3.)
Self-humiliation is a necessary branch of repentance. (4.) Pride of
heart, by which we have lifted up ourselves, is a sin for which we
ought in a special manner to humble ourselves. (5.) People ought to
mourn for the sins of their rulers. The inhabitants of Jerusalem
humbled themselves with Hezekiah, because they either knew that
they also had been guilty of the same sin, or at least feared that
they might share in the punishment. When David, in his pride,
numbered the people, they all smarted for his sin. 7. The reprieve
granted thereupon. The wrath came not in his days. While he lived
the country had peace and truth prevailed; so much does repentance
avail to put by, or at least to put off, the tokens of God's
anger.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17">III. Here is the honour done to Hezekiah,
1. By the providence of God while he lived. He had <i>exceeding
much riches and honour</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.27" parsed="|2Chr|32|27|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>), replenished his stores, victualled his campus,
fortified his city, and did all he wished to do; for God <i>had
given him very much substance,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.29" parsed="|2Chr|32|29|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. Among his great performances,
his turning the water-course of Gihon is mentioned (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.30" parsed="|2Chr|32|30|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), which was done upon
occasion of Sennacherib's invasion, <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.3-2Chr.32.4" parsed="|2Chr|32|3|32|4" passage="2Ch 32:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. The water had come into
that which is called the <i>old pool</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.22.11" parsed="|Isa|22|11|0|0" passage="Isa 22:11">Isa. xxii. 11</scripRef>) and the <i>upper pool</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.7.3" parsed="|Isa|7|3|0|0" passage="Isa 7:3">Isa. vii. 3</scripRef>); but he
gathered the waters into a new place, for the greater convenience
of the city, called the <i>lower pool,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.22.9" parsed="|Isa|22|9|0|0" passage="Isa 22:9">Isa. xxii. 9</scripRef>. And, in general, he
<i>prospered in all his works,</i> for they were good works. 2. By
the respect paid to his memory when he was dead. (1.) The prophet
Isaiah wrote his life and reign (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.32" parsed="|2Chr|32|32|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>), his acts and his goodness or
piety, or which it is part of the honour to be recorded and
remembered, for examples to others. (2.) The people <i>did him
honour at his death</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xxxiii-p17.9" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.33" parsed="|2Chr|32|33|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:33"><i>v.</i>
33</scripRef>), buried him in the chief of the sepulchres, made as
great a burning for him as for Asa, or, which is a much greater
honour, made great lamentation for him, as for Josiah. See how the
honour of serious godliness is manifested in the consciences of
men. Though it is to be feared that the generality of the people
did not heartily comply with the reforming kings, yet they could
not but praise their endeavours for reformation, and the memory of
those kings was blessed among them. It is a debt we owe to those
who have been eminently useful in their day to do them honour at
their death, when they are out of the reach of flattery and we have
seen the end of their conversation. The due payment of this debt
will be an encouragement to others to do likewise.</p>
</div></div2>