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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 22:15-25

We have here a prophecy concerning the displacing of Shebna, a great officer at court, and the preferring of Eliakim to the post of honour and trust that he was in. Such changes are common in the courts of princes; it is therefore strange that so much notice should be taken of it by the prophet here; but by the accomplishment of what was foretold concerning these particular persons God designed to confirm his word in the mouth of Isaiah concerning other and greater events; and it is likewise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 22:20

And it shall come to pass in that day ,.... At the same time that Shebna was deposed from his high station: that I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah ; whom Kimchi thinks was the same with Azariah the son of Hilkiah, who might have two names, and was a ruler over the house of God in the times of Hezekiah, 1 Chronicles 6:13 this man, by the character given him, was a good man, a faithful, diligent, and constant servant of the Lord, and therefore he delighted to raise him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:15-24

PROPHECY ON THE DEPOSITION OF SHEBNA AND THE ELEVATION OF ELIAKIM . In its first and simplest application, this section predicts the fall of one state official and the advancement of an-other—matters, no doubt, of some importance in the court history of the time, but scarcely (with reverence be it said) of such moment as to be worthy either of prophetic announcement or of divinely inspired record. It has, therefore, been generally felt that there must be a secondary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:15-24

Shebna and Eliakim: a moral lesson. It is a remark of Bishop Butler's, that the moral government of God, though it may be very imperfectly carried out, is at any rate begun, in this world. Many virtues have natural rewards, and many vices natural punishments, attached to them. Again, though undoubtedly the righteous do suffer a large share of affliction, and the ungodly are often seen in great prosperity, yet, on the other hand, very signal instances from time to time manifest themselves, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:15-24

Shebna and Eliakim: an allegory. Shebna, set over the house of the king by the king himself, but unfaithful in his office, worldly, carnal, fond of grandeur and display, typifies the old covenant, and the priesthood to which it was committed—a priesthood which looked more to the enrichment of the treasury than to the pure service of God ( Mark 7:11 ), and which was not above the weakness of raising up grand sepulchers for its members in a conspicuous place (1 Macc. 13:27-30). This... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:15-25

Human reckoning and Divine interruption. We have one instance, if not two—according to the application we give to the "nail" of the twenty-fifth verse—of ill-founded security. It is a lesson very necessary to teach, for it seems to be one very hard to learn. I. HUMAN RECKONING . Shebna had carefully and successfully built up his position in the state, and he made sure that he should keep it; he had not only "feathered his nest," but he had made up his mind that he should "die in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20

In that day . In the day of Shebna's deposition from his office of prefect of the palace. My servant Eliakim . On the dignity of this title, when given by God himself, see the comment on Isaiah 20:3 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-21

The influence of an individual on public policy. Governments always drift into the control of the most energetic, or most gifted, man. They go astray unless ruled by some master-spirit. It is said, with as much truth as satire, that "committees are always committees of one." They are the comfortable agencies by means of which some strong-willed man gets his own way. And it may be urged that at least as much good as evil attends the arrangement. Eliakim is raised up as a master-spirit, in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-25

Installment of Eliakim. I. A SERVANT OF JEHOVAH . So he is characterized. The title may be of personal, spiritual, import, or of official; or both may be blended, as in the case of Isaiah himself ( Isaiah 20:3 ); or there may be a separation of the two. Unhappy for a nation or for a Church if the true servants of the Eternal, the true devotees of right and truth, are excluded from the places of honor and influence; or if the "ministers and stewards" of Divine mysteries are so only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-25

Authority and influence. On the deposition of Shebna, Eliakim was appointed prefect, clothed with the robe and invested with the keys of office; henceforth he should shut and open, should appoint and depose according to his good pleasure. We look at— I. THE EXCELLENCE OF HUMAN AUTHORITY . 1. It satisfies a craving which is both broad and deep. Doubtless his succession to the high office vacated by Shebna brought great gratification to the heart of Elialdm. Men covet... read more

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