2 Kings 18

NOw it came to pass in the third year In the third of those nine years mentioned, chap. 17. 1. of which see there. See below ver. 10. of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign How is this credible? For then Ahaz, who lived but Six and Thirty years, chap. 16. 2. must beget Hezekiah at the Eleventh year of his Age. Ans. 1. There are some like instances mentioned by credible Authors; which these very men will not deny, who are so ready to quarrel with the holy Scriptures for such matters. 2. This being the confessed custom of sacred, and other Writers, in the numbring of years, sometimes to omit, and sometimes to add those which are imperfect, or unfinished: And so Ahaz might be near One and twenty years old when he began to reign, and near Seventeen years older when he died: And on the other side, Hezekiah, when he began to reign, might be only Four and Twenty years old complete, and but entred into his Five and Twentieth year.—And thus Ahaz might be between Thirteen and Fourteen years old, when he got Hezechiah; which is not at all strange, especially in that Nation to which God had promised a singular degree of Fruitfulness, and in that House of David to which God had made so many, and such great Promises. 3. It is not certain that Ahaz lived only Thirty six years, for those Sixteen Years which he Reigned, Chap. 16. 2. may be computed, not from the first beginning of his Reign, when he Reigned with his Father; (of which, see the notes on Chap. 15. 30.) which was at the Twentieth Year of his Age, but from the beginning of his Reign alone. 4. Some affirm, That Hezekiah was not the Natural, but only the Legal Son and Successor of Ahaz: for the name of Son is given in Scripture to such Persons; as 1 Chron. 3. 16. comp. with 2 King. 24. 17. Matt. 1. 12. compared with Ier. 22. 30. and to Adopted Sons, Act. 7. 21. Heb. 11. 24. And to Sons in Law, 1 Sam. 24. 16. and 26. 17. Luk. 3. 23. Any of these Solutions are far more credible to any man of common prudence, than that these Sacred Books, whose Divine Original has been so fully Evidenced both by God and Men, are but the Fictions and Contrivances of a base Impostor. And if none of these Solutions were sufficient, it is absurd to conclude, That a true Resolution be found, because it is not yet found; because it is. That many difficulties both in Scripture, and in were formerly judged Insoluble, have been: and therefore we may justly expect Difficulties, which may be thought Explained., and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: his mothers name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. c Or, Abiah, 2 Chron. 29. 1.

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that which David his father did.

¶ He removed the high places i. e. The most of them, or such as the people most frequented: for all were not taken away, Chap. 23. 13, 14. And this he attempted to do, notwithstanding the peoples great and constant Affection to them; partly, because he had more Zeal and Courage than his Predecessors: and partly, because the Dreadful Judgments of God upon the Kingdom of Israel for their Superstition and Idolatry, had made the People of Iudah more pliable to the Commands of God, and of their good King., and brake the † images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made By God's Command to be an Ordinance or mean for the conveyance of God's Blessing to the People: which therefore had been hitherto kept as a Memorial of God's Mercy; but being now commonly abused to Superstition, was destroyed.: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it Not doubtless as to a God, but only as to an Instrument and token of God's Mercy, by and through which, their adoration was directed to God, and given to that only for God's sake., and he called it Nehushtan i. e. He said, This Serpent, howsoever formerly honoured, and used by God as a sign of his Grace, yet now it is nothing but a piece of Brass, which can do you neither good nor hurt; and therefore is no fit Object for your Worship..

He trusted in the LORD God of Israel Without calling in Foreign and Heathenish Succours to stablish or help him; which his Father Ahaz did; Chap. 16. 7. and Isa. 7. and before him Asa, 1 King. 15. 18, 19. with reflection upon whom this seems to be noted., so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him To wit, of the Kings of Iudah only; for David and Solomon were Kings of all Israel. Object. The like is said of Iosiah, Chap. 23. 25. Ansiv. Each of them excelled the other in several qualities or actions: Hezekiah in this, That he fell upon this Work with great expedition, even in the beginning of his Reign, which Iosiah did not, Chap. 23. and with no less Resolution, undertaking to do that which none of his Predecessors durst do, even to remove the high Places, wherein Iosiah did only follow his Example; Chap. 22. 1, 3..

For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him In the general course of his Life, and especially in the matters of God's Worship., but kept his commandments which the LORD commanded Moses.

And the LORD was with him, and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria He shook off that Yoke of Subjection and Tribute, to which his Father had wickedly submitted, Chap. 16. 7. and reassumed that full and independent Soveraignty which God had setled in the House of David, which Ahaz could not alienate further, than for his own time. And Hezekiah's Case differs much from that of Zedekiah, who is blamed for Rebellion against the King of Babylon, both because he had ingaged himself to him by a Solemn Oath and Covenant, which we do not read of Ahaz; and because he broke the Covenant which he himself had made, &c. because God had actually given the Dominion of his own Land and People to the King of Babylon, and Commanded both Zedekiah and his People to submit to him. And whereas Hezekiah is here said to Rebel; that Word implies, only a defection from that Subjection which had been professed and performed to another; which sometimes may be justly done, and sometimes may not: and therefore that Word does not necessarily prove this action to be a Sin. And these Words, he rebelled, &c. are explained by the next following Words, and he served him not. And that it was not a Sin in him, seems most probable, because God did own, and assist him therein; and did not at all reprove him for it, in that Message which he sent to him by Isaiah about this matter, Chap. 19. 20, &c. nor afterwards, though he did particularly reprove him for that which might seem a less fault, for his Vain-glory, and Ostentation, 2 Chron. 32. 25, 26. For what he says, I have offended; see on, ver. 14., and served him not.

He smote the Philistines And recovered from them what his Father had lost, 2 Chron. 28. 18. and more. even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen, to the fenced city Of which Phrase, see on Chap. 17. 9..

¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, (which was the seventh year of Hoshea The Seventh of those Nine years expressed, Chap. 17. 1 son of Elah king of Israel) that Shalmanezer king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

And at the end of three years To wit, of the Siege; i. e. In the Third Year, as this Phrase is used, Deut. 14. 28. Iosh. 9. 16, 17. Ier. 34. 14. comp. with Exod. 21. 2. they took it, even in the sixth year of Hezekiah (that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel) Samaria was taken.

And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel into Assyria, and put them in Halah, and in Habor, by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes Of which see above on Chap. 17. 6.:

Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded They began with one sin, the Worship of the Calves; but from thence they were led by degrees into the violation of all the other Commands: although indeed, that one Sin made them in some sort guilty of the breach of the whole Law, Iam. 2. 10., and would not hear them, nor do them.

¶ Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria The Son or Successor of Salmanasser. i. e. Against many of them; universal Particles being frequently so used both in Scripture, and other Authors; for that all were not taken, appears from Chap. 19. 8. And this success God gave him; partly, to lift him up to his own greater and more shameful Destruction: partly, to humble and chastise his own People for their manifold Sins, and afterwards to raise them up with more comfort, and glory: and partly, to gain an eminent opportunity to advance his own Honour and Service, by that Miraculous Deliverance which he designed for his People. come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them To wit, against thee; i. e. I have given thee occasion of Warring against me, whereof I now repent. Or, his ill success might make him think that he had sinned against God in this action, and might make him willing to submit to him, though God graciously prevented it..

And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended Of which see on, Exod. 25. 39., return from me: that which thou puttest on me, will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah, three hundred talents of silver, and thirty talents of gold.

And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the kings house.

At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD; and from the pillars, which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid So repairing the injury which his Father had done to them, and putting them into the same condition in which Solomon left them, 1 King. 6. 32., and gave it to the king of Assyria.

And the king of Assyria sent Having received the money, upon which he agreed to depart from Hezekiah and his Land, ver. 16. He breaks his Faith with Hezekiah, thereby justifying Hezekiah's Rebellion, and preparing the way for his own approaching Destruction. Tartan, and Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem: and they went up, and came to Jerusalem: and when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the high-way of the fullers field.

And when they had called to the king i. e. Sent a Message to him, to come, or send to Treat with them., there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah Of whom see, Isa. 22. 20, &c., which was over the houshold Heb. over the house; either of God: or rather, of the King here mentioned; as appears from Isa. 22., and Shebna the scribe So called to distinguish him from another Shebna who was over the house, Isa. 22. 15., and Joash the son of Asaph the recorder.

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

Thou sayest Either to thy People, to encourage them: or rather, within thy self. (but Or, surely: or, only. they are but vain words Words of the... ips, i. e. vain, unprofitable, idle talk, without any effect; or they come not from thy heart; thou speakest this against thy own knowledge.) I have counsel and strength for the war Counsel to contrive, strength or courage to Execute: which two things are of greatest necessity and use for War. But the words are, and may be... endred otherwise; either thus, thou speakest surely words of the lips; i. e. Thou encouragest thy self, and thy people with talk, and words; but counsel and strength are for War, are necessary for thy Defence: neither of which thou ha... within thy self, but must seek them from others: and where wilt'st thou find them? on whom (as it follows) dost thou trust? Or thus, thou saist, I have the word of my lips. (Either, 1 Words wherewith to pray to God for help. Or, 2. Eloquence, to encourage my Soldiers and People) counsel and strength for war; i. e. I am furnished with all things necessary for my Defence.. now on whom dost thou trust Seeing it is apparent thou hast not strength of thy own, from whom dost thou expect Succours?, that thou rebellest against me?

Now behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed He calls Egypt a Reed, with allusion to the Reeds wherewith the Banks of Nilus were full; and bruised, to note their Weakness and Insufficiency to support him. Comp Ezek. 29. 6, 7., even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it By some of the fragments into which it will be broken.: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him Doing them no good, but much hurt..

But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he whose high places, and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away Thereby robbing him of that Worship and Service which he had in those Places. Thus boldly he speaks of these things which he understood not, judging of the great God, by their false and petty gods; and judging of Gods Worship according to the vain... ancies of the Heathens, who measured Piety by the multitude of Altars., and has said to Judan and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord i. e. Give him Hostages to secure him from thy future Rebellion, and he will depart from thee. Or rather, contend with my lord in battel: Seeing thou hast counsel and strength for War, do not lie lurking in thy strong hold, but come out into the open Field, and let us try for Mastery: and whereas thou maist pretend thou wantest Horses to Fight with me, if thou wilt'st accept of my Challenge, I will furnish thee with 2000 Horses, if thou hast Riders for them; as it here follows. the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain How wilt'st thou force him to turn his back to thee, and flee away from thee?, of the least of my masters servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

Am I now come up without the LORD Without his consent and Commission? against this place to destroy it? The LORD said unto me To wit, by secret Inspiration; or by his Providence. But indeed, he neither owned God's Word, nor regarded his Providence; but he forged this, to strike a terror into Hezekiah and the People., Go up against this land, and destroy it.

Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language, (for we understand it) and talk not with us in the Jews language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall Upon which these Officers stood; not being willing to put themselves into the power of such a Barbarous and Perfidious Enemy, by going out of the City..

But Rabshakeh said unto them, Has my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss To tell them to what Extremities and Miseries he will force them. with you?

Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews language That he might affright the People into a compliance with him, which he perceiv'd Eliakim and his Brethren endeavoured to prevent., and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.

Thus says the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:

Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.

Hearken not unto Hezekiah: for thus says the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present To redeem your selves from all the Calamities of a close Siege, and that Death which certainly will follow on them. Or, procure, or purchase a blessing from me; i. e. a blessed Peace; whereby you may be delivered out of your distressed and cursed condition, and receive from me the Blessings of Protection and Provision, which your King cannot give you., and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine Upon these terms, I will give you no Disturbance; but quietly suffer each of you to enjoy his own Possessions., and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:

Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land i. e. A fruitful and pleasant Land. Because he could not conceal from them his intentions of transplanting them into another Land, which he had already discovered in his dealing with the Israelites, and other Nations; he assures them, they shall be no losers by it; and shall only change their place, but not their condition and comforts; which they should enjoy in that Land, no less than in their own., a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil-olive, and of honey, that ye may live and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he perswadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.

Has any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad Of which see Ier. 49. 23.? where are the gods of Sepharvaim Of which see Chap. 17. 24., Hena, and Ivah The names, either 1. O... Idol-gods. But why should only these two be named, and not the Gods of the other places here mentioned? Or rather, 2. of Cities or Countries, as is manifest from Chap. 19. 13. where those words are repeated among other places, whose Kings are there mentioned, and where they are rendred, of Henah and Ivah, as they should be here also, the words in the Hebrew being the very same.? have they i. e. Either the gods here mentioned, which together with other Idols, were Worshipped in Samaria. Or, 2. Their gods; which is easily understood from the foregoing words. delivered Samaria out of mine hand?

Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their countrey out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?

But the people i. e. Either these Three Men, this Word being sometimes used of a very few men, as 1 Sam. 9. 24. Or rather, the people that were with them upon the wall, ver. 26. to whom he spake, and from whom he expected an answer. held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the kings commandment was, saying, Answer him not Which was wisely ordered; partly, lest by their words they should either betray their Fears, or provoke their Enemies to greater Injuries or Blasphemies; or give them some advantage or direction for their further Proceedings: and partly, that by this Instance of Obedience and Calmness, he might see the resolution of the People to cleave unto their King; and the vanity of his Attempts to seduce them to a defection from him..

Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the houshold, and Shebna the scribe, and Joash the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rab-shakeh.