281 A son of twenty years 'is' Ahaz in his reigning, and sixteen years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and he hath not done that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah, as David his father, 2 and walketh in the ways of the kings of Israel, and also, molten images hath made for Baalim, 3 and himself hath made perfume in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burneth his sons with fire according to the abominations of the nations that Jehovah dispossessed from the presence of the sons of Israel, 4 and sacrificeth and maketh perfume in high places, and on the heights, and under every green tree. 5 And Jehovah his God giveth him into the hand of the king of Aram, and they smite him, and take captive from him a great captivity, and bring 'them' in to Damascus, and also into the hand of the king of Israel he hath been given, and he smiteth him—a great smiting.
6 And Pekah son of Remaliah slayeth in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day (the whole 'are' sons of valour), because of their forsaking Jehovah, God of their fathers. 7 And Zichri, a mighty one of Ephraim, slayeth Maaseiah son of the king, and Azrikam leader of the house, and Elkanah second to the king. 8 And the sons of Israel take captive of their brethren, two hundred thousand, wives, sons and daughters, and also much spoil they have seized from them, and they bring in the spoil to Samaria. 9 And there hath been there a prophet of Jehovah (Oded 'is' his name), and he goeth out before the host that hath come in to Samaria, and saith to them, 'Lo, in the fury of Jehovah God of your fathers against Judah, He hath given them into your hand, and ye slay among them in rage—unto the heavens it hath come; 10 and now, sons of Judah and Jerusalem ye are saying to subdue for men-servants and for maid-servants to you; but are there not with you causes of guilt before Jehovah your God? 11 and now, hear me, and send back the captives whom ye have taken captive of your brethren, for the heat of the anger of Jehovah 'is' upon you.' 12 And certain of the heads of the sons of Ephraim (Azariah son of Johanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai), rise up against those coming in from the host, 13 and say to them, 'Ye do not bring in the captives hither, for, to guilt against Jehovah on us, ye are saying to add unto our sin and unto our guilt? for abundant 'is' the guilt we have, and the fierceness of anger on Israel.' 14 And the armed men leave the captives and the prey before the heads and all the assembly; 15 and the men who have been expressed by name rise and take hold on the captives, and all their naked ones they have clothed from the spoil, yea, they clothe them, and shoe them, and cause them to eat and drink, and anoint them, and lead them on asses, even every feeble one, and bring them in to Jericho, the city of palms, near their brethren, and turn back to Samaria.
16 At that time hath king Ahaz sent unto the king of Asshur to give help to him; 17 and again the Edomites have come, and smite in Judah, and take captive a captivity. 18 And the Philistines have rushed against the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and capture Beth-Shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho and its villages, and Timnah and its villages, and Gimzo and its villages, and dwell there, 19 for Jehovah hath humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he made free with Judah, even to commit a trespass against Jehovah. 20 And Tilgath-Pilneser king of Asshur cometh in unto him, and doth distress him, and hath not strengthened him, 21 though Ahaz hath taken a portion 'out' of the house of Jehovah, and 'out' of the house of the king, and of the princes, and giveth to the king of Asshur, yet it is no help to him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 28:1-21
Chapter Contents
The wicked reign of Ahaz in Judah.
Israel gained this victory because God was wroth with Judah, and made them the rod of his indignation. He reminds them of their own sins. It ill becomes sinners to be cruel. Could they hope for the mercy of God, if they neither showed mercy nor justice to their brethren? Let it be remembered, that every man is our neighbour, our brother, our fellow man, if not our fellow Christian. And no man who is acquainted with the word of God, need fear to maintain that slavery is against the law of love and the gospel of grace. Who can hold his brother in bondage, without breaking the rule of doing to others as he would they should do unto him? But when sinners are left to their own heart's lusts, they grow more desperate in wickedness. God commands them to release the prisoners, and they obeyed. The Lord brought Judah low. Those who will not humble themselves under the word of God, will justly be humbled by his judgments. It is often found, that wicked men themselves have no real affection for those that revolt to them, nor do they care to do them a kindness. This is that king Ahaz! that wretched man! Those are wicked and vile indeed, that are made worse by their afflictions, instead of being made better by them; who, in their distress, trespass yet more, and have their hearts more fully set in them to do evil. But no marvel that men's affections and devotions are misplaced, when they mistake the author of their trouble and of their help. The progress of wickedness and misery is often rapid; and it is awful to reflect upon a sinner's being driven away in his wickedness into the eternal world.