2 Chronicles 32:24-33 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

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One Flaw in a Good Life

2 Chronicles 32:24-33

What this sign was is more clearly told in Isaiah 38:1-8. Great interpositions on the part of God impose corresponding responsibilities. If you have received special benefits, be sure to render again according to the benefit done. When visited by the Babylonian ambassadors, as in 2 Kings 20:13, Hezekiah received them in a Spirit of vanity-all too natural to most of us-and displayed a conceit in his acquisitions which shut out such acknowledgment of the divine love and care as was due. In man's view, that was merely a little weakness, something to be smiled at and excused, but it was inconsistent with the intimacy into which Hezekiah had been introduced by his heavenly Friend.

However pious and devoted a man may be, if he does not walk carefully, he will break down in some crucial test. It is easier to withstand the invasion of Sennacherib than the flattery of Babylon. We need to guard against pride of heart. Compare 2 Chronicles 32:25; 2 Chronicles 31:1-21. Hezekiah's ostentatious display of his wealth and treasure excited the cupidity of the Babylonian envoys, and sowed the seed of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion, though the blow was temporarily averted by the repentance of the king and nation, 2 Chronicles 32:26.

Related Commentaries of 2 Chronicles 32:24

2 Chronicles 32:24-33

24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gavei him a sign.

25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pridej of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasantk jewels;

28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadorsl of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness,m behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefestn of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.