2 Kings 16:5-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 16:5-9

Here is, 1. The attempt of his confederate neighbours, the kings of Syria and Israel, upon him. They thought to make themselves masters of Jerusalem, and to set a king of their own in it, Isa. 7:6. In this they fell short, but the king of Syria recovered Elath, a considerable port upon the Red Sea, which Amaziah had taken from the Syrians, 2 Kgs. 14:22. What can those keep that have lost their religion? Let them expect, thenceforward, to be always on the losing hand. 2. His project to get... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 16:10-16

Though Ahaz had himself sacrificed in high places, on hills, and under every green tree (2 Kgs. 16:4), yet God's altar had hitherto continued in its place and in use, and the king's burnt-offering and his meat-offering (2 Kgs. 16:15) had been offered upon it by the priests that attended it; but here we have it taken away by wicked Ahaz, and another altar, an idolatrous one, put in the room of it?a bolder stroke than the worst of the kings had yet given to religion. We have here, I. The model... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 16:5

Then Rezin king of Syria, and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to war ,.... To fight with Ahaz, moved to it by the Lord, to chastise Ahaz for his idolatry, 2 Kings 15:37 . but could not overcome him ; so as to take Jerusalem, and set up another king there, as their scheme was, Isaiah 7:5 though they had both at other times got great advantages over him, and slew many of his people, and carried them captive, see 2 Chronicles 28:5 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 16:6

At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria ,.... A port on the Red sea, that formerly belonged to Edom, taken from them by David, retaken by them when they revolted in Joram's time, and perhaps taken by Amaziah again, since his son Azariah rebuilt it, and restored it to Judah, 2 Kings 14:22 and it seems by this that it had been in the hands of the Syrians, who now recovered it; unless instead of Aram, rendered Syrians, we could substitute Edom, which Le Clerc has ventured to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 16:7

So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria ,.... Of whom see 2 Kings 15:29 . saying, I am thy servant, and thy son ; signifying, that he would be his vassal, and become tributary to him, and serve him as a servant to his master, or a son his father, on condition he would come to his assistance, and so he became his servant; hence his son Hezekiah is said to rebel against the king of Assyria, 2 Kings 18:1 . come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 16:8

And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord ,.... Which Uzziah and Jotham had put there; for all that was found there in the times of Amaziah was taken away by Jehoash king of Israel, 2 Kings 14:14 . and in the treasures of the king's house ; whatever gold and silver he had of his own: and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria ; to obtain his help and assistance. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 16:9

And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him ,.... Complied with his request: for the king of Syria went up against Damascus, and took it ; the metropolis of the kingdom of Syria, and so made a powerful diversion in favour of the king of Judah: and carried the people of it captive to Kir ; not Cyrene, as the Vulgate Latin version, a country belonging to Egypt, which the king of Assyria had no power over; but a place in upper Media, as Josephus F16 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 12. sect. 3. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 16:10

And King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria ,.... When he heard he was come thither, and had taken it, to congratulate him on the victory, and to give him thanks for his assistance; which place from Jerusalem was one hundred and sixty miles, according to Bunting F17 Travels, &c.; p. 185. . and saw an altar that was at Damascus ; where, in all probability, he attended at the sacrifice on it along with the king of Assyria: and King Ahaz sent to Urijah... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 16:5

But could not overcome him - It is likely that this was the time when Isaiah was sent to console Ahaz; (see Isaiah 7:1 ;); and predicted the death both of Rezin and Pekah, his enemies. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 16:6

Recovered Elath to Syria - See the note on 2 Kings 14:22 . read more

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