After him was none like him, &c.— This same commendation is given to Josiah, chap. Exodus 23:25 so that it must relate to some particular virtue wherein Hezekiah stood distinguished from the rest of the kings of Judah; and that this was his trusting in the Lord God of Israel, as it is in the beginning of the verse, and not in the help of any foreign forces, as all the other kings, even the most renowned for their piety, are known to have done in some measure. See Calmet.
REFLECTIONS.—Though Israel was gone into captivity, Judah yet remained, and in a state of great prosperity, under the pious Hezekiah.
1. He copied after the best of his progenitors, though the son of the worst; and was, like David in heart and temper, devoted to God's worship and service: nor did he, as some before him, begin well and end ill, but persevered to the last in constant dependance upon God, and unshaken fidelity to him under all his trials: so that in this, neither before nor after him was any like him of the kings of Judah. Note; (1.) God, in the darkest times, can raise up in his church the most burning and shining lights; let not his people therefore despair. (2.) The more obstacles are in the way, the more does the grace of God appear great and glorious in overcoming them. (3.) Perseverance in the truth, is the crown of fidelity.
2. His zeal for God's glory immediately appeared on his accession to the throne. He applied no palliatives to the deep and prevailing idolatry, but laid the axe to the root of the tree. Undismayed through fear of oppo-sition; he not only destroyed the groves and images, but also removed the high places, which had so long been abused, and which the most pious of his predecessors connived at. Note; (1.) They need not fear, who boldly trust on God in the path of duty. (2.) No length of custom can consecrate an evil practice. (3.) If our parents have dishonoured God, it is our honour to be unlike them.
3. God blessed him in all his undertakings. Having delivered the nation from the yoke of idolatry, he bravely threw off the yoke of the king of Assyria's usurped dominion, and recovered from the hand of the Philistines the cities that his father had lost, 2 Chronicles 28:18. Note; Fidelity in God's service, will be ever accompanied with his blessing.