Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Kings 18:1-37
2 Kings 18:4 I. Turning to Hezekiah's mode of dealing with the brazen serpent, we see that he acted on the principle, common to all genuine reformers, that idolatry is a disease which requires heroic treatment. The only effectual way of getting rid of the superstition was to cut the roots of it. Without hesitation, therefore, he broke the image in pieces. Something would have been wanting to the thoroughness of his action if he had simply destroyed the serpent without giving any reason for... read more
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 18:32
(32) Oil olive.—The cultivated as distinct from the wild olive, or oleaster (1 Kings 6:23), which yields less and worse oil.That ye may live.—Or, and ye shall live; a general promise of immunity, if they obey. (There should be, in this case, a stop at “honey.”)When he persuadeth you.—Or, if he prick you on (1 Chronicles 21:1). read more