So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and the congregation. Which were come out of Samaria to meet them; such an effect had the word's of the prophet, and the princes, upon them, that they not only left the captives with them, but the spoil, to dispose of, as they thought fit. read more
This King Ahaz: the progress of a king literally devoid of religion. In such words, the significance of which no one can mistake, is the royal person who is the chief subject of this chapter pointed to ( 2 Chronicles 28:22 ). Ahaz is the bad son of a good father. He is a type of those who begin badly, who are untaught by experience, who grow worse by suffering and adversity, and who end by maddening themselves, to their own destruction! The career of his father Jotham is written,... read more
This is that King Ahaz. I. A DEGENERATE SON . Aliaz, "Grasper" or "Possessor." In the Tigiath-Plleser inscriptions, which probably confounded him with the son of Jehoram ( 2 Chronicles 21:17 ), he is called Jehoahaz, "Whom Jehovah grasps," though the Scripture writers may have dropped the prefix "Jeho-" on account of his wickedness. 1 . He possessed his father ' s nature. Of necessity, as his father's son ( Genesis 5:3 ). Yet he improved not upon that nature, but rather... read more
The sending back of the captives-an incident of the Israelitish war. I. THE WARRIORS OF ISRAEL AND THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH . ( 2 Chronicles 28:8 .) 1 . The number of the captives. Two hundred thousand persons. 2 . The persons of the captives. 3 . The destination of the captives. Samaria, in the Assyrian monuments Sa-mir-i-na , the capital of the northern kingdom, built by Omri ( 1 Kings 16:24 ). II. THE WARRIORS OF ISRAEL AND THE ... read more
Divine and human pity. A very striking and a most unusual incident is here related; it has very few parallels in the page of ancient history. The hand that struck down the enemy very rarely failed to strike him when he was down. Here we have a refreshing picture of human relenting; of men who had just presented the cup of woe putting to the lips of the suffering a cup of mercy. But first we have a picture of— I. DIVINE PITY IN THE MIDST OF DIVINE PENALTY . It is clear... read more
Before the princes and all the congregation ; i.e. the four and those who were now congregated round them. read more
A.M. 3263. B.C. 741. Ahaz reigns ill, 2 Chronicles 28:1-4 . Is smitten by the Syrians and Israelites, 2 Chronicles 28:5-8 ; who send back the captives they had taken, 2 Chronicles 28:9-15 . Ahaz sends for help to the king of Assyria, but in vain, 2 Chronicles 28:16-21 . Yet he continues in idolatry, 2 Chronicles 28:22-25 ; and dies, 2Ch 28:26 , 2 Chronicles 28:27 . read more
2 Chronicles 28:14. So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes, &c. To be disposed of as they pleased. And herein they showed a more truly heroic bravery than they did by taking them. For it is true honour to yield to reason and religion, even in spite of interest. It was a wonderful instance of deference and obedience, which these armed men manifested toward their princes on this occasion, in restoring not only the captives, which were very valuable, but all... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 28:6-15
We have here, I. Treacherous Judah under the rebukes of God's providence, and they are very severe. Never was such bloody work made among them since they were a kingdom, and by Israelites too. Ahaz walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and the king of Israel was the instrument God made use of for his punishment. It is just with God to make those our plagues whom we make our patterns or make ourselves partners with in sin. A war broke out between Judah and Israel, in which Judah was... read more