Verse 14
14. Buried him in his own sepulchres He for some reason had had private tombs excavated in Jerusalem for himself and family, so that, apparently by his own desire, he was not buried in the tombs of the kings of Judah.
Laid him in the bed The niche or grave-chamber of the tomb which had been prepared for the king.
Sweet odours and divers kinds of spices The use of large quantities of perfumes and spices, especially at the burial of distinguished persons, was common among the ancient Israelites, as well as among other nations. Eighty pounds of spices are said to have been used at the funeral of Rabbi Gamaliel. At the funeral of Herod the Great five hundred servants attended as spice bearers. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus gave a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes for the burial of Jesus. See John 19:39, note.
A very great burning Not the burning of the dead body, for that practice was very rare in Israel, but a burning of fragrant spices, which was customary at the funerals of kings. Asa’s funeral was distinguished by the unusually large quantity of spices burned on the occasion.
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