Then. — And. In a prison house: in the stocks. Literally, House of the stocks (Jeremiah 20:2; Jeremiah 29:26). The word mahpèkheth literally means “turning,” “distortion,” and so an instrument of torture, by which the body was bent double, hands and feet being passed through holes in a wooden frame. (See Acts 16:24.) The Syriac and LXX. have simply “prison;” Vulgate, “nervus,” i.e., stocks. (Comp. the similar behaviour of Ahab to the prophet Michaiah, 1 Kings 22:26-27.)
Because of this thing=“Herein” of 2 Chronicles 16:9.
And Asa oppressed. — Riççaç (Job 20:19; comp. 1 Samuel 12:3).
The same time. — At that time.
Some of the people. — Those who sympathised with Hanani. Asa suppressed their murmurs with violence.