Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 16:11
And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
11. so Urijah Damascus ] These words are omitted by the LXX. though not in all MSS. Perhaps because the preceding clause ends with the same word as this, the eye of a scribe may have been misled. The part played by Urijah in this business is not mentioned by the Chronicler. The R.V. renders this clause So did Urijah the priest make it. This is done to shew that the word ‘so’ refers to the previous phrase ‘according to all that king Ahaz had sent’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So he complied with the kings command against his own conscience, and against the express command of that great God, to which the king and he both were subject. He made haste, and delayed not to do it, to please the king, and advance himself.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus,…. Exactly according to the size, form, figure, and carved work of it, though expressly contrary to the command of God; which fixed both the form and matter of the altar of God, with everything appertaining to it, which he, being high priest, could not be ignorant of, Ex 27:1, c. but he was a timeserver, and sought to curry favour with his prince:
so Urijah the priest made it against King Ahaz came from Damascus both king and priest were in haste to have this altar made. Ahaz could not stay till he came home, but sent directions about it from Damascus, and the priest was so expeditious in observing his commands, that he got it done before he came thence to Jerusalem.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2Ki 16:11. Urijah the priest built an altar, &c. It must not be denied, that the high priest carried his complaisance much too far in obeying the king’s injunction, which he ought to have opposed with all his interest and power. God prescribed to Moses in what form and with what materials he was to make the altar, Exo 27:1; Exo 27:21. The altar which Solomon made, indeed, was four times as large, 2Ch 4:1. But when God gave such solemn testimony of his approbation of it, there was no touching it without impiety. For the high priest could not but know that this innovation of the king’s did not proceed from any principle of religion, but from a design to degrade the altar of the Lord, as well as the other sacred vessels of the temple. But what shall we say to this? There will, in all ages, be some men found ready to execute the most impious commands that can possibly come from the throne. See Patrick and Calmet.
REFLECTIONS.He who had enslaved his body to Assyria’s king, now enslaves his soul to Assyria’s idols.
1. On a visit to the king of Assyria, to congratulate him on his success, and to pay him the homage that he had promised, he saw at Damascus, whilst probably he joined with him in his idol-sacrifices, an altar which much pleased him for its beauty; and instantly he resolves to copy it, sends the model to Urijah the priest, and bids him prepare just such another against his return.
2. Urijah, a true court priest, to gratify his master, consents to prostitute his office; and Ahaz, at his return, is vastly pleased with the altar, offers on it his burnt-offerings; and though the priest had some shame left, and set it behind the brasen altar, the king will have the old altar thrown by, and will consider what to do with it, whilst his own is advanced into its place; and Urijah basely complies. Note; (1.) Of all characters, a sycophant priest is the most detestable. (2.) Court air is dangerous to breathe in: they who set their hearts on rising, rather than offend their great patrons, will worship at their altars, and comply with their evil ways.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ki 16:11 And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
Ver. 11. And Urijah the priest built an altar. ] So in the year of grace 610, Pope Boniface IV, after that he had by the Emperor’s appointment placed in the Pantheon at Rome the Virgin Mary, instead of Cybele the mother of the gods, he further ordained the feast of All Saints.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Urijah. Perhaps the Uriah of Isa 8:2. His name does not occur in the list of high priests (1Ch 6:3-15). Note the emphatic repetition of “Ahaz the king” and “Urijah the priest”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
built an altar: 1Ki 21:11-13, 2Ch 26:17, 2Ch 26:18, Jer 23:11, Eze 22:26, Dan 3:7, Hos 4:6, Hos 5:11, Mal 2:7-9, Gal 1:10
Urijah: Isa 8:2
Reciprocal: Exo 32:5 – Aaron 2Ki 16:16 – General Eze 11:12 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 16:11-12. And Urijah built an altar, &c. He complied with the kings command against his own conscience, and against the express command of that great God to whom the king and he both were subject. The priest made it against Ahaz came from Damascus He made haste and delayed not to do it, to please the king, and advance himself. The king approached to the altar, and offered thereon Namely, a sacrifice, and that not unto God, but unto the Syrian idols, (2Ch 28:23-24,) to whom that altar was appropriated. A wonderful blindness, to worship those gods, and expect help from them, who could not preserve their own country from ruin! Whether Ahaz offered this sacrifice himself, or by a priest, is not certain.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
16:11 And Urijah the priest built an altar {g} according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
(g) We see that there is no prince so wicked that he cannot find liars and false ministers to serve his purposes.