Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · 2 Chronicles
II. Chronicles.
THE II. Book of Chronicles contains the History of the Kings of Judah, (not of Israel, but a little occasionally when the two Kingdomes had to do one with another) unto the last end of that Kingdome, viz. from the first of Solomon, to the Babylonish captivity. Mentioning also the Proclamation of Cyrus for the Returne out of the Captivity: Containing in all till that Returne, four hundred sixty six years, or upwards: some say four hundred and eighty, which number of four hundred and eighty, was exactly compleat, from the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt, till the building of Solomons Temple, 1 King. VI. 1.
horsemen] Ver. chapter I verse 14 28. of Horsemen, and Solomons horses, see the Observations on Judg. XX. 2. How farre his multiplying of Horses, 1 King. IV. 26. and X. 36. And his multiplying of wives, 1 King. XI. 3. And his multiplying of gold and silver, 1 King. X. 21, 27. 2 Chron. I. 15. and chap. IX. 27. may square with, or swarve from, may stand, or fall, by that Law for Kings, Deut. XVII. 16, 17. is a thing to be considered, and not very hard to be determined.
threescore and ten thousand] And ver. chapter II verse 2 17, 18. Solomons workmen in Lebanon were 150000. viz. 70000. Bearers, and 80000. Hewers; All of strangers dwelling in the Land of Israel. And his Overseers of them were 3600. Such strangers likewise And so each of them were over fourty two workmen or thereabout. And three hundred of these Overseers, which are more then those set downe, 1 King. V. 16. might be extraordinary, in case any of the Ordinary should faile, by sicknesse, death, or any other way. And thus, the Ordinarie Overseers would be one over fourty five workmen or thereabout. Or rather, those three thousand three hundred, 1 King. V. 16. were Israelites & the chief of Solomons Officers, added to the other three thousand sixe hundred Overseers, and set partly as with them, so over them, and partly over the whole work. And so each Overseer would be over twenty one workmen at least. Those sixteen thousand a monethmonth by course, 1 King. V. 13, 14. are by some added to the Overseers: And so there would be one Overseer to eight workmen. But they may seeme rather to be the better sort of workmen of the Israelites, joyned to King Hirams workmen, 1 King. V. 6. Those Officers, viz. five hundred and fifty, 1 King. 9. 23. seeme to be the chief of the Officers that were over Solomons other words, when he builded his owne house, and that for Pharaohs daughter, and all his other Buildings (besides the Temple) ver. 15,—19. 2 Chron. VIII. 1,—6. These bare rule over the people that wrought in those works. And the two hundred and fifty, 2 Chron. VIII. 10. seeme to be chief of his Officers that bare rule over the people, i. e. over those Canaanites that Solomon had made Tributaries, ver. 7, 8. to rule them. And so iffering from the former five hundred and fifty.
of beaten wheat] The difference of the Food and Measures of them, verse 10 given by Solomon here, over and above that in 1 King. V. 11. may stand in this, That the former was for King Hirams Court and houshold; And this here for his workmen in Lebanon.
Bathes] See the Observations on Gen. verse 13 XVIII. 6.
of Huram my father] See the observations on 1 King. verse 16 V. 1.
to Joppa] See the Observations on Jonah, I. 3.
Solomon.] Solomon had divers elder brethren living, chapter III verse 1.—9. besides Adoniah, when he was made King; and he was the eldest sonne of the four, by Bathshuah or Bathshebah, though he be recorded last, 2 Sam. XII. 24. 1 Chron. III. 5. and XIV. 4 2 Sam. V. 14. And Nathan was the second, from whom Christ came, Luke III. 31.
After the first measure] See the Annotations on Ezek. verse 3 XL. 5.
Greater house] This was twice as big as the Oracle; verse 5 and four times as big as the Porch, 1 King. VI. 3.
he seiled] Or covered. This, and the next verse seemes to relate to the Floore of the Temple, 1 King. VI. 15. The walls are mentioned in the seventh verse following.
Chambers] Of these see 1 King. verse 9 VI. 5. 1 Chron. XXVIII. 11; 12. Ezek. XL. 44, 45, 46. and chap. XLI. 5,—11. and chap. XLII. 1,—13.
an Altar of brasse] That Altar in the Tabernacle was made of Shittim wood, chapter IV verse 1 hallow with boords; and over-laid with brasse, Exod. XXVII. 1, 2, 8. And the staves of it likewise, ver. 6. And so Exod. XXXVIII. 1, 6, 7. And again it was covered with broad Plates made of the Censers of those Sinners, Num. XVI. 38. This Altar of burnt-Offerings in the Temple, though farre greater then the other, seemes to be made of the same materials, Shittim wood, and brasse.
Of the Altar in Ezekiels Visionary Temple, see Ezek. XLIII. 13. —17.
Court] Of the Courts see the Annotations on 1 King. verse 9 VI. 36.
right side] See the Observations on 1 King. verse 10 VII. 39.
Seventh monethmonth] See chap. chapter V verse 3 VII. 8, 9, 10.
Levites] Priests of the tribe of Levi, verse 4 1 King. VIII. 3. Num. IV. 15.
unto this day] See 1 King. verse 9 VIII. 8. 1 Chron. IV. 41. till Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebuzaradan burnt all, 2 King. XXV. 9. If Ezra writ these Books of the Chronicles after the returne from the Babylonish Captivity, then this phrase must be understood as a Proverbial speech, to signifie a long time. See the Observations on Deut. XV. 17.
Neither chose I any man] As I chose David, chapter VI verse 5 a special type of Christ, and in whose seed a royal succession was to continue from him to Christ.
thou didst well] The purpose approved, verse 8 though the act forbidden.
the fire] Of this see Levit. chapter VII verse 1 IX. 24. 1 King. XVIII. 38. 1 Chron. XXI. 26.
sacrifice of 22000.] verse 5 Ver. 7. The greatest Offering that we do read of. Those 1 Chron. XXIX. 21. 2 Chron. XV. 11. and chap. XXIX. 32. and XXX. 24. and XXXV. 7, 8, 9. come short of this.
appeared] Formerly, verse 12 chap. I. 7. This is the second time, 1 Kings IX. 2.
my wife shall not dwell] chapter VIII verse 11 Solomons reverend and religious respect to the Place where the Ark of God had been.
four hundred and fifty Talents] The thirty Talents reckoned here, verse 18 more then those, 1 King. IX. 28. seeme to go for all maner of charges of the Navy and Voyage.
Four thousand stals] See the Observations on Judg. chapter IX verse 25 XX. 2.
fourty years] Being born after David warre with the Ammonites at Rabbah, verse 30 2 Sam. XI. and XII. chapters. A little before the time that Ammon deflowred Tamar: And so aged about eighteen years when he began to reign.
Shechem] See the Observations on Josh. chapter X verse 1 XXIV. 1.
Levites left] Cast out by Jeroboam, chapter XI verse 14 from their Cities, houses, inheritances, and all; for his own safety, 1 King. XII. 27. And to gaine their possessions: making Priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sonnes of Levi, 2 Chron. XIII. 9. A practise well beseeming Rebels.
Devils] Idols here so called. verse 15
in the way of David, verse 17 and Solomon] This charitably implies the Repentance of Solomon; as well as his Ecclesiastes doth; in his last dayes: though haply he could not reforme all Idolatry; as neither Manasseh could after his repentance, 2 Chron. XXXIII. 7.
and dispersed] As Gen. verse 23 XXV. 5, 6. 2 Chron. XXI. 3.
Israel] Put and meant for Judah, chapter XII chap. XV. 17. See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXI. 2.
against Jerusalem] After this Jerusalem was taken about tenne times. verse 9
one and fourty] Therefore borne in the first year of the reigne of his father King Solomon. verse 13
four hundred thousand] Huge are the armies of the Jews. chapter XIII 1200000 Jewes in those armies of Abijah and Jerrboam Wherein slaine on Jeroboams side five hundred thousand; verse 3 much more then every one his man the greatest number that ever we read slaine in any battel, v. 17. In the reigne of Asa, he had out of Judah, and Benjamin, an army of 500080. And he fought against an army of Zerah the Ethiopian of a thousand thousand, and three hundred Charets (likely meaning three hundred [thousand] Charets, 2 Chron. XIV. 8, 9. the greatest army that we read of. And in Jehoshapha's time, he had men of warre waiting on him, 1160000. besides those whom he put in the fenced Cities, throughout all Judah, 2 Chron. XVII. 14,—19.
children of Belial] i. e. without yoake, verse 7 or without profit, as the word signifieth, Deut. XIII. 13. Such as Judg. XIX. 22. 1 Sam. II. 12. and X. 27. and XXV. 17. 1 King. XXI. 13. This title doth Shimei give falsely to David, 2 Sam. XVI. 7. But is truly given to the Devil, 2 Cor. VI. 15.
was young] Not in age; but in experience, and policy; being then, as was said, fourty one years old.
fourteene wives] Fourteene wives in his life-time; verse 21 for his reigne was but short, even three years, ver. 2.
ten years] Yet likely some small skirmishes there were, chapter XIV verse 1 1 King. XV. 16, 32.
Mareshah] A Citie in the North-West part of the tribe of Judah, Josh. verse 10 XV. 44. There Michah the Prophet was borne, Michah I. 1. And here as we see, in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah, Asa overthrew the hugest hoast that ever we read of, (Xerxes army not excepted) of Zerah the Ethiopian.
Gerar] Gerar anciently a Citie and Kingdome of the Philistines; verse 13 whose Kings seeme all to be called Abimelechs; where Abraham, and Isaac, a while lived; both offending in denying their wives, Gen. XX. and XXVI. Isaac leaving the Citie, dwelt in the valley of Gerar. Gen. XXVI. 17. a most fruitful valley, ver. 12. as it were the Granarie of Canaan, when famine was elsewhere in the Land, ver. 1. Here Isaac digged againe the Wells of water, digged by Abraham, and stopped by the Philistines: And he digged others new. After Gerar fell to the tribe of Simeon. And hither, as we see, Asa pursued the Ethiopians: and smote all the Cities round about Gerar.
long season] Thirty or thirty one years, chapter XV verse 3 conceiving this to be in the eleventh year of Asa at the end of those ten years, chap. XIV. 1.
Israel] The ten tribes, under Jeroboam, Nadab, and Baasha.
did turne] We read not of their turning in those thirty years. verse 4 This then may be taken by way of supposition; If they had turned, God would have been found of them. Or else Israel in the former verse may relate to all Gods people; and comprehend in it also former times, even the times of the Judges themselves.
Be ye strong] Ye of Judah and Benjamin, verse 7 ver. 2.
Oded] See the Annotations on this verse. verse 8 Both sonne, ver. 1. and father here, might prophesie.
renewed the Altar] And likely that whole Court, whereunto that chap. XX. 5 seems to have reference.
strangers] Those Israelites out of the ten tribes, verse 9 that fell to Judah, are here called strangers.
third monethmonth] Likely at the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. verse 10
fifteenth year] This may seeme a second and more through Reformation, four or five years after his victory against Zerah. Or else that victory must be reduced to this fifteenth year of Asa. And till that time they had had rest, and no warre; which fifteenth of Asa was the thirty five in his reigne, i. e. since the Kingdome of Judah was divided from the Kingdome of Israel, ver. 19. viz. 17. of Rehoboam; three of Abijah, and these fifteen of Asa.
six and thirty] It is clear that this well may, chapter XVI verse 1 and needs must, be understood likewise of that Kingdome wherein Asa was now King. For Baasha began to reigne in the third year of Asa, 1 King. XV. 28. And reigning twenty four years, ver. 33. he must needs die in the twenty seventh of Asa, or twenty six complete: And so we finde it, 1 King. XVI. 8 And therefore this thirty sixth wherein Baasha waged warre with Asa, must needs be meant of the Kingdome of Judah, that is, since the first division of the two Kingdomes. And so reckoning the seventeen years of Rehoboams reigne, and three of Abijah, we finde this thirty sixth to be the sixteenth of Asa, the next year after that full Reformation mentioned, 2 Chron. XV. 10. And to be the thirteenth year of the reigne of Baasha. See a like passage, 2 Chron. XXII. 2.
Ramah] Ramah of Benjamin, bordering upon Judah, Josh. XVIII. 25. See the Annotations on Hos. V. 8.
Hanani] The father of the Prophet Jehu, verse 7 chap. XIX. 2. 1 King. XVI. 1.
of Syria escaped] Which God might, and would, otherwise have delivered into his hand; as he did the Ethiopians, if Asa had not prevented the occasion and opportunity thereof by his foolish sending to and for Benhadad to aide him, and break his League with Baasha; and so shewing thereby that he relied not upon the Lord, but upon Benhadad; for which he is justly reproved, and punished.
a very great burning] Greeks and Romanes of old used to burne their dead bodies; verse 14 specially of their Great ones, with a great deale of cost, burning huge piles, and curious fabricks of timber, together with abundance of odoriferous spices, at their Funerals; gathering their ashes into an Urne; and so layed up in their Monuments. And among the Jewes we read something like, viz. of Burning at the Exequies of their Kings; so here, and Jer. XXXIV. 5. of such of them at least, as lived beloved, and died desired: which was to others denied, 2 Chron. XXI. 19. Jer. XXII. 19. and XXXVI. 30. But we read not That this Burning was of their Bodies, but of sweet Odours only at and in their Sepulchers.
taught in Judah] The Priests and Levites did so. chapter XVII verse 9 The Princes by their authority, and in the Kings name, made way for them so to do, with the better courage, countenance, and successe.
Philistines] These, verse 11 and the Arabians, subdued by Asa chap. XIV. 14, 15.
Numbers] See the Observations on chap. verse 14 XIII. 3.
Waited] Waited in their Courses, verse 19 some at one time, some at another.
Jehoshaphat] Jehoshaphat marries his sonne Jehoram to Athaliah, chapter XVIII verse 1 Ahabs daughter. And this in the eighth year of Jehoshaphats reign; as appears by the age of Ahaziah, succeeding his father Jehoram in the Kingdome, when he was two and twenty years old, 2 Kings VIII. 18, 26, 27. 2 Chron. XXII. 2. with chap. XXI. 5.
went down to Ahab] In the twenty two and last year of Ahabs reign, verse 2 and life; And in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat.
Ramoth Gilead] See the Observations on 2 Kings VIII. 28.
at a venture] Gods Providence. verse 33 See the Observations on Ester V. 8. and on Ezek. I. 18.
Wrath] Wrath deserved by him; chapter XIX verse 2 and appearing on him, chapter XVIII. 31 and XX. 1.
from Beershebah to Mount Ephraim] The South and North borders of the Kingdome of Judah. verse 4
set] As Jehoshaphats Commission for teaching throughout the Kingdome, was chap. verse 8.—11. XVII. 9. So here is his High-Commission-Court at Jerusalem, 2 Chron. XIX 8,—11. following therein the Ordinance of Moses, Deut. XVII. and XIX. See the Observations on Deut. XVII. 8,—13.
Hazazon-Tamar] Gen. chapter XX verse 2 XIV. 7. Called also Engedi, a Citie of the tribe of Judah, Josh. XV. 62.
thy friend] So Esay XLI. verse 7 8. James II. 23.
cliffe of Ziz] And so the Wildernesse of Jervel; verse 16 both in the tribe of Judah; near Tekoah, and Berakah. ver. XX. 26.
Korhites] Korhites that descended of that Korah, the sonne of Izhar, the sonne of Kohath, swallowed up of the earth, Num. XVI. 1. 32. These were singers in the Temple, and some of them Porters.
Praise the Lord] Psal. verse 21 CXXXVI. So chap. XXIX. 27.
began to sing] In assurance of victory. verse 22
three dayes] A rich spoile. verse 25
of Jehu] See the Annotations on chap. verse 34 XIX. 2.
in the book] 1 King. XVI. 1.
joyned himself] Jehoshaphat first, verse 36 it seemes, refusing to have Ahaziah to joyne with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, 1 Kings XXII. 49. doth at last yeeld, and is reproved by Eliezer, and the ships are broken. Not that he joyned first; and refused after, upon the Prophets reproof; for then the ships might well have been unbroken. But however; Here the good King falls once and again into the same fault of joyning himself with wicked Ahaziah; as formerly he had done with wicked Ahab; chap. XVIII. 1, 2, 3. and chap. XIX. 2. As we see the like in Abraham, Gen. XII. 13. with chap. XX. 2.
Jehoshaphat King of Israel] Jehoshaphat here is called King of Israel; chapter XXI verse 2 that being then a distinct Kingdome from his. So again, are the Princes called, ver. 4. And Ahaz likewise, 2 Chron. XXVIII. 19, 27. And Darius is called King of Assyria, Ezra VI. 22. And Artaxerxes King of Babylon, Neh. XIII. 6. As indeed the Persian Monarchs were the rightful Kings of Persia, Assyria, and Babylon, or Chaldea. Of names, see more in the Annotations on 2 Chron. XXIV. 20.
of his father] After his father Jehoshaphats death; verse 4 In his fathers life-time, Jehoram carried himself better, both as, Viceroy, and King.
slew all his brethren] And see Gods judgements upon his sonnes, ver. 17. and his grand-children chap. XXII. 10, 11. only Jehoahaz or Ahaziah, or Azariah, left of the one; and Joash of the other.
compelled] By force and persecutions. verse 11 A most wicked sonne of a godly father.
A writing to him from Elijah] Written in the life-time of Elijah, verse 12—15. who died before Jehoshaphat, 2 Kings III. 11. Left, and directed to Jehoram or for him; who would not endure the Reproof of a living Prophet. Therein prophesying and foretelling Jehorams Sinnes, and Punishments, Amongst other his wickednesses He shew all his brethren, the sonnes of Jehoshaphat, 2. Chron. XXI. 4. And his sons were all slaine by the Philistines, and Arabians, but Ahaziah the youngest (called also Jehoachaz, 2 Chron. XXI. 17. and Azariah, chap. XXII. 6, 7.) 2 Chron. XXI. 17. and XXII. 1. And Ahaziah was slaine by Jehu, 2 Chron. XXII. 9. when he was twenty three years old, 2 Kings VIII. 26. And the sonnes of Ahaziah were slaine by their grand-mother Athaliah, save Joash, that was hid from her, and after crowned King; and at last slaine by his own servants, 2 Chron. XXIV. 24, 25. We read that Josiah, and Cyrus, by their names, were prophesied of many ages before they were borne. But their good deeds were foretold not any evill of them; as of idolatrous bloody Jehoram here. Elisha foretels Hazael, face to face, of his bloodinesse, and evil that he would do to the children of Israel, 2 King VIII. 12.
Arabians near the Ethiopians] See the Observations on Gen. verse 16 II. 13. he reigned] Iehoram of Iudah his Life, verse 20 Death, Burial.
Fourty and two] Clear it is, chapter XXII verse 2 That Iehoram the father of Ahaziah was but fourty years old when he died, chap. XXI. 5. And that Ahaziah himself was but twenty two years old when he began to reigne, 2 Kings VIII. 26. But it was in the two and fourtieth year of the continuance of the Crown in Omri and his race, from whom Ahaziah descended, by his mother Athaliah, 2 Kings VIII. 18, 26. And the Hebrew expression by the word foreign a sonne; together with a trajection of some clauses in this verse, do render this interpretation the more passable. And a like passage we finde, as hath been shewed, in chap. XVI. 1. And such trajections are used, 1 Sam. XX. 16. Ezra X. 17. Neh. XII. 22.
Athaliah] Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah, and wife of Jehoram the sonne of Jehoshaphat, and daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and grandchilde of Omri.
in Samaria] Not in the Citie, verse 9 but in the Kingdome of Samaria, 2 Kings IX 27.
Sonne of Jehoshaphat] Grandchilde. So daughter for grandchilde, verse 2. A phrase usuall in Scripture.
seed royal] Sonnes of Ahaziah, verse 10 ver. 11. likely by other women.
of the King] Jehoram, verse 11 and sister of Ahaziah; as is expressed in this verse.
Of the Priests, chapter XXIII verse 4 and of the Levites] They the Prime men in the deposing of Athaliah, and crowning of Joash; guarding the gates, and compassing the King round about with weapons in hand, their courses being not dismissed; and others of them gathered out of all the Cities of Iudah.
gate of the foundation] Called Shur, verse 5 2 Kings XI. 6. the high or higher gate, 2 Kings XV. 35. 2 Chron. XXVII. 3. Of the Gates of the Temple, and Courts, See the Annotations on Ezek. VIII. 3. See also Ezek. VIII. 5. 14. and chap. IX. 2. and chap. XL. 3. and 2 Chr. VIII. 14. and chap. XXIII, 4, 5, 19, 20. and chap. XXIV. 8. and XXVII. 3. and XXXI. 14. and XXXV. 5.
the Horse-gate] Of the gates of Ierusalem, verse 15 or of the walls of the Citie, see the Observations on Nehemy III. 1.
gather of all Israel] chapter XXIV verse 5 So much of Israel as Ioash had.
from year to year] One year would not suffice to make up this Reparation.
hastened not] For in the twenty third year of Ioash it was not done, 2 Kings XII. 6.
the Collection of Moses] So ver. verse 6 9. such as Moses used, Exod. XXX. 12, 16. or Exod. XXV. But this, differing from them both: agreeing only in this; As Moses then provided for the Tabernacle, and the service of it by those Collections extraordinarily, as need then required; so were they now, by somewhat a like Collection, to provide for the repairing of the breaches of the Temple. Yet is this, because somewhat like, called the Collection of Moses; as like sinnes, are called by the names of the sinnes of Manasseh, 2 Kings XXIV. 3. of the iniquity of the fathers, Exod. XXXIV. 7. of the errour of Balaam, and gain-saying of Core, Iudge 11. and the signe of Ionas, Matth. XII. 39. is used in a like sense.
Sonnes of Athaliah] In their father Iehorams life-time, verse 7 before they were taken and slaine by the enemy; if sonnes here be taken properly.
High-priests Officer] 2 Kings XII. verse 11 10. The High-Priest himselfe did this. But that Iehoiada was this High-Priest, is not expressed.
day by day] i. e. time after time, so oft as the chest was full.
in Israel] the Kingdome of Iudah, verse 16 Gods people, 2 Chr. XXIX. 24.
Princes] Hypocritical flattering Princes. See ver. verse 17 23.
Zechariah] Zechariah slaine, and mentioned Matth. XXIII. verse 20 35. seemes not to be this Zechariah, But rather the Prophet Zechariah, the sonne of Barachiah. Zech. I. 1.
slew his sonne] Cruel ingratitude. verse 22
hoast of Syria] This might be a seconding of that invasion, verse 23 2 King. XII. 17, 18.
a small company] Gods visible hand in it; verse 24 for the executing of his judgement against Joash, ver. 25.
sonnes] Likely more slaine then Zechariah, verse 25 or taken indefinitely for one, as Gen. XLVI. 7.
Book of the Kings] Most likely some civil Records. verse 27
Amaziah] Of the times of the reignes of Amaziah, chapter XXV verse 1 and of Uzziah; as also of Iotham, and of Ahaz, 2 Kings XV. 32. and XVI. 1. And of their Concordance with the time of the reignes of the Kings of Isreel, See my Annotations on Hosea I. 1.
But he slew not their children] See the Annotations on this text. verse 4
do it] An Ironical concession. verse 8 See the Observations on Amos IV. 4, 5.
top of the rock] Selah, verse 21 or Petra signifying a rock; whence the chief Citie in Arabia Petraea is called Petra, 2 Kings XIV. 7.
gods of the children of Seir] Worse then that of Ahaz▪ chap. verse 14 XXVIII. 23. Punished, chap. XXV. 20, 27.
Altar of Incense] This the High-Priest might do, chapter XXVI verse 16 Exod. XXX. 7. and other Priests also, Luke I. 9 But not the King, or any else, but Priests.
the chief Priest] Not stiled the High-Priest verse 20
was a Leper] Yet bare the title of King to the day of his death. verse 21
Ophel] Ophel in Ierusalem, chapter XXVII verse 3 over-against the water-gate, toward the East, where the Nethinims dwelt, 2 Chron. XXXIII. 14. Neh. III. 26. and XI. 21.
his wars] 2 Kings XV. verse 7 37.
his God] Though himself such an idolater, chapter XXVIII verse 5 ver. 22. So ch. XXXVI. 5.
King of Syria] Rezin, 2 Kings XVI. 5.
slew] Slew a great number. verse 6
Captive] A greater number. verse 8
feirce wrath] Pekah soone slaine: verse 11 And in Hosheah's time all captivated; and the Kingdome extinguished; Esay VII. 16.
the first day] ver. chapter XXIX verse 17 3. Hezekiah begins Reformation on the very first day of his reign. Or rather on the first day of the year which fell out towards the later end of the first year of Ezekiah's reigne.
sixteenth day] So that Passeover was past, and not kept.
seven Bullocks] Here are seven, verse 21 to represent the whole body of the Kingdome. And here are used all maner of Beasts fit for sacrifice.
the Priests killed them] And so Levit. IV. 4. and chap. IX. 8, verse 24 15, 18. 2 Chron. XXIX. 24, 34. The Levites did flea them, 2 Chron. XXXV. 11. And in some extraordinary cases sley them also, 2 Chron. XXIX. 34. and receive the blood, 2 Chron. XXX. 16, 17. The Priests only, not the Levites, came to the Altar, to lay the wood, sprinkle the blood, and burn them, Levit. l. 7. &c. and chap. III. 2, 5. 2 Chron. XXXV. 14.
the Song] Psal CXXXVI. verse 27 See the Annotations on Ezra III. 11.
to Ephraim, chapter XXX verse 1 and Manasseh] See ver. 5,—11, 18. Yet this was before their finall captivity by Shalmaneser, 2 Kings XVII.
in the second monethmonth] ver. verse 2 1, 3. As in like case, Num. IX. 11.
Kings of Assyria, Pul, verse 6 and Tiglath Pilneaser, 2 Kings XV. 19, 29. 1 Chron. V. 26. 2 Chron. XXVIII. 20.
mocked them] But a finall judgement sonne followed. verse 10
had not cleansed themselves, yet] And, verse 18 it seemes, in Josiah's time, all did not eate at the very hour appointed, at Even, 2 Chron. XXXV. 14. yet where the heart is upright, God mercifully heals such offenders.
to keep other seven dayes] The power of the Church seene herein; verse 23 and by God approved.
Since the time of Solomon] And the division of the two Kingdomes, verse 26 so many out of the ten tribes came not to Jerusalem to eat & celebrate the Passeover. Yet see a larger commendation of Josiah's Passeover, which followed after this, chap. XXXV. 18. 2 Kings XXIII. 22, 23.
finished] Presently after the foresaid Passeover, chapter XXXI verse 1 they pull down idolatry; yea in Ephraim also, and Manasseh; which belonged to Hoshea King of Israel.
third monethmonth] Or Feast of weeks, verse 7 of Pentecost; which is called the feast of harvest: And the seventh monethmonth is called the Feast of ingathering, Exod. XXIII. 16.
hoast of the King of Assyria] Though that King Sennacherib; chapter XXXIII verse 11 and his hoast were so slain, in the time of his father Hezekiah. chap. XXXII. 21.
a wall] Begun by his father, chap. XXXII. 5.
yet unto the Lord] Not to false gods; verse 14 as was in the grosser kinde of idolatrous sacrificers. verse 17
Amon] Amon worse then his father Manasseh.
eighth year] Being then sixteen years old; chapter XXXIV verse 20 and before that, the father of Eliakim or Iehojakim, verse 3 2 Kings XXIII. 36. and chap. XXII. 1. compared together.
twelfth year] Himself being then twenty.
cities of Manasseh] Remanants then of the Israelites; verse 6 for the body of the ten tribes were formerly carried away captives, and the Kingdome exterminated.
eighteenth year] This Reformation and Covenant made, verse 8 and Passeover kept, chap. XXXV. 19. And yet from this, or rather from the twelfth year above mentioned begins that reckoning of the sinne of Iudah, Ezek. IV. 6. For under so good a King yet the people continued obstinately wicked; as appears in Ieremie, who began to prophesie in the thirteenth year of Iosiah's reigne, Ier. I. 2. and XXV. 3. and ch. III. 6. And Iosiah only caused, and made them outwardly to obey, 2 Chron. XXXIV. 32, 33.
the Houses] The Houses of the Priests, which adjoyned to the Temple; and of the Levites, which adjoyned to the Courts.
Levites Scribes] 1 Chron. verse 13 XXIV. 6. Ezra VII. 6. 21. Neh. VIII. 9. and chap. XII. 26. and XIII. 13. See the Annotation on 1 Kings IV. 3. More fully, thus; we read in the Old Testament of severall persons that were Scribes; some, Scribes of Kings, or their Secretaries; So David had one; And Solomon two, Ioash one, 2 Kings XII. 10. Iosiah one, 2 Kings XXII. 3. Of Ionathan Davids Uncle, that he was a Counseller, a wise man, and a Scribe, 1 Chron. XXVII. 32. And of Baruch, that he was Ieremies Scribe. And of families of Scribes, that dwelt at Jabez in the tribe of Iudah, and were of the posterity of Iethro, 1 Chron. II. 55. But why so called, or what their Office was, whether as Publike Notaries, Scriveners, or Transcribers of the Law, or what else, it appears not. Here in Iosiah's time we finde that in his businesse of repairing the house of the Lord, there were appointed of the Levites Scribes. And in Nehemiah's time he made Treasurers over the Treasuries [in the Lords House] Shelemiah the Priest, and Zadok the Scribe. And in his time also was that famous Ezra, a Priest, sonne of the High Priest Serajah slaine by Nebuchadnezzar, and the same a ready Scribe in the Law of Moses, a Scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven, of the words of the Commandments of the Lord, and of his Statutes to Israel; and the same a publick Reader, and Teacher of the Law. In the New Testament we finde them much more mentioned; and to be of more esteeme; and themselves affected Preheminence and precedencies, Mark. XII. 38, 39. Here they are often joyned with the Chief Priests, and Elders, and often with the Pharisees. They pretended to extraordinary holinesse, as the Pharisees did; whence is that, Matth. V. 20. and Acts XXIII. 9. They were of the Pharisees part against the Sadduces. Yea he that is called a Scribe, Marke XII. 28. the same is called a Pharisee, and a Lawyer, Matth. XXII. 34, 35. We read not that they were of the Sect of the Sadduces, or Essenes. But we finde them to joyne with all the rest, to question, to pose, and oppose our Saviour, to entangle and insnare him by Questions, to charge his miracles to be done by Belzebub; Himself, with Blasphemy; to apprehend and binde him; to condemne him in the Councel; to deliver him to Pilate; to accuse him before Herod; to prosecute him to death; to mock him upon the Crosse. And we finde that these Scribes sate in Moses-chair, Matth. XXIII. 2. and were Preachers and Teachers of the people, Mat. VII. 29. and XIII. 52. And likely were all of the tribe of Levi.
rent his clothes] See the Annotations on 2 Kings XXII. 8. verse 19
Huldah the Prophetesse] See the Observations on Zeph. verse 22 III. 4. The High Priest Hilkiah is here sent to her; she being an extraordinary Prophetesse, so near at hand.
Put the holy Ark] It might be put out of his place, chapter XXXV verse 3 in the dayes of his wicked father, if not of his grandfather.
Passeover-Offerings] So ver. verse 8 9. in the Feast of Unleavened bread, for the seven dayes.
After all this] Thirteen years after the foresaid Passeover; verse 20 that being in the eighteenth, and this in the thirty one, and last year of his reigne.
by Euphrates] Heb. Phrat, or Prat, or Perath, the fourth river in Eden, Gen. II. 14. usually called the River, and the great River: made one of the Boundaries of the Promised Land, Gen XV. 18. Deut. 1. 7, and chap. XI. 24. Iosh. I. 4. 2. Chron. IX. 26. Cut by Cyrus into severall Channels when he lay in siege before Babylon which stood upon it; and so by him much dreyned and dried, Ier. L. 38. See 1 Chron. XVIII. 3. Ier. XIII. 4. and chap. LI. 63. Apoc. IX. 14. and Chap. XVI. 12. See on Dan. IV. 30.
Megiddo] See the Annotations on Zech. verse 22 XII. 11.
to carrie him] But he died by the way, chapter XXXVI verse 6 Jer. XXII. 18, 19.
Eight years old when he] He was eighteen when himself began to reigne, verse 9 2 Kings XXIV. 8. And but eight then when his father began to reigne. The like relative sense may that speech admit, 2 Kings XVI. 2.
no remedy] Desperate sinners procure implacable wrath, verse 16 irrevocable exterminating judgements.
Kingdome of Persia] See the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Ezra, verse 20
threescore and ten years] For the beginning of these, verse 21 see the Annotations on Dan. IX. 2. rather then those on Zech. VII. 3. yet many learned are of the later opinion.