2 Chronicles 16:1-14 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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2 Chronicles 16:1. In the six and thirtieth year. Baasha began to reign the third year of Asa, and he reigned twenty four years. 1 Kings 15:33. And when obliged by Benhadad to abandon the fortifications of Ramah, he was, according to Josephus, in the last year of his reign. Hence it should read, “In the twenty sixth year,” or as in the margin, “from the rending of the ten tribes from Judah over which Asa was now king.”

2 Chronicles 16:10. Asa was wroth with the seer: proof sufficient that the king was in error. God had twice delivered him from two huge armies, and now he feared to trust the arm of salvation: so he impoverished his country, dishonoured the Lord, and strengthened the Syrians. Carnal men rarely knock at mercy's door till human resources fail.

2 Chronicles 16:13. Asa slept with his fathers and they made a very great burning for him. In some convenient and adjacent place, they raised a huge pile of aromatic wood and sweet odours, whose flames would perfume and illuminate the surrounding country. This was in imitation of the heathen, who really burned the bodies of the dead. Homer thus describes the burning of Patroclus. “A hundred feet spread the pile on each side. High on the top they laid the dead, grieving in their soul for the soul of their friend. Many beeves lay in death at the pyre; stript of their hides they lay. Achilles wraps in the fat the dead. From head to foot involved he lay; the carcases of the bullocks ranged on each side. Jars of honey and oil he placed low bending over the bier. Four high-necked steeds he threw in the pile. Of nine dogs that belonged to the chief, two he slew to attend their lord. Twelve youths he transfixed with steel, a bloody offering to the slain; twelve youths from parents renowned: so dreadful was the wrath of his soul.”

“Beneath the pile the hero laid the invincible force of devouring fire. He groaned from his inmost soul, and called by name his hapless friend. Hail, oh Patroclus beloved! Even in the halls of Pluto, hail! All that I had promised, I now perform for my hapless friend. Twelve young Trojans of descent renowned; these all, with thee shall burn. But Hector, the son of Priam, the flames shall not consume. Fire shall not devour thy foe; the destined prey of hungry dogs.” Macpherson's Iliad, 23.The above passage illustrates the contempt of the princes of Judah for the body of Jehoram, 2 Chronicles 21:19; and for what befel Jezebel before the palace of Jezreel.

Related Commentaries of 2 Chronicles 16:1

2 Chronicles 16:1-14

1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus,a saying,

3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

4 And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a hugeb host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressedc some of the people the same time.

11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had maded for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.