Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 32:24
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spoke unto him, and he gave him a sign.
24 33 (cp. 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38, 39)). Hezekiah’s Sickness. The Ambassadors from Babylon. Hezekiah’s Death
24. In those days ] The phrase is taken over from 2Ki 20:1, and it cannot be determined what date is intended, though we might conclude from 2Ki 20:6 that it was a time at which the Assyrian danger was not yet past, and that it was about the fourteenth year of Hezekiah (reigned 14 + 15 = 29 years).
he spake ] The Heb. word means in certain connexions, “to promise,” and the idea of “promise” is present here, the sense being “God made him a promise and confirmed it by a wonder”; cp. 2Ki 20:5-6; 2 Kings 8-11.
a sign ] Rather, a wonder (R.V. mg.), as in 2Ch 32:31.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Compare 2 Kings 20 and notes. The sign is not (as in the margin) the miraculous cure, but the going back of the shadow on the dial of Ahaz (see 2Ch 32:31).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Ch 32:24-25
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death.
Hezekiahs sickness and recovery
I. The great contrasts in the events of life.
II. The suddenness with which these events happen.
III. The distress with which they are often attended.
IV. The wonderful deliverance which God can grant. (James Wolfendale.)
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him–
A rulers sin
I. An undoubted truth; that sins of the rulers and the people ruled, are so intimately connected, that one invariably involves the other (Zec 10:3).
II. The intelligible motive. God gives us in the present order of things a large share in one anothers punishments, that He may make us take a deeper interest in one anothers duties. All are deeply interested in all. The government of every Christian country is intimately connected with the transgressions of the people; and the governed are closely involved in the sins of the government; so that each has an important duty to perform to the other. The government, apart from all political considerations, to curb and repress the immoralities and the wickedness of the people; and the people, firmly though mildly, to warn and caution and speak plainly to the government, lest by partaking silently and voluntarily of other mens sins, they become partakers in other mens pains. (H. Blunt.)
Hezekiah deserted
I. The person here spoken of.
1. His personal character.
2. His peculiar necessities.
II. The dispensation here described.
1. The suspension of grace.
2. The withdrawment of comfort.
III. The purpose of that dispensation.
1. To discover sin, with a view to its cure.
2. To conduct to greater happiness and honour.
IV. The issue of the trial–he sinned.
1. Wherein was the sin? He neglected an opportunity of proclaiming the true God, and indulged in a vain self-seeking.
2. How small in comparison with the sins of others–of ourselves.
3. How soon repented of.
4. How severely visited. (J. C. Gray.)
Ingratitude to God an heinous but general iniquity
Among the many vices that are at once universally decried and universally practised in the world, there is none more base or more common than ingratitude; ingratitude is the sin of individuals, of families, of Churches, of kingdoms. None of us can flatter ourselves that we are in little or no danger of this sin when even so good and great a man as Hezekiah did not escape the infection. In order to make you the more sensible of your ingratitude towards your Divine Benefactor, I shall–
I. Give a brief view of his mercies towards you.
II. Expose the aggravated baseness of ingratitude under the reception of so many mercies. (S. Davies, M.A.)
A rendering for mercies
I. That those that have received mercies must be careful to give in answerable returns or render according to what they have received.
1. There must be a rendering. There is a reflection upon God from all His works. Hell-fire casts back the reflection of the lustre of His justice and the power of His wrath. The world is round, and the motion of all things circular; they begin in God, and end in God (Rom 11:36).
(1) We must be effected with the mercies.
(2) Solemnly praise God for them.
(3) Renew the remembrance of them (Psa 111:4).
(4) Improve them to some good use. We must improve them to–
(a) Greater trust in God.
(b) Greater love to Him (Psa 116:1-2).
(c) Fearing Him more, lest we should offend so good a God (Hos 3:5).
(d) More complete obedience.
2. This rendering must be proportionate.
(1) Real mercies require real acknowledgments.
(2) The acknowledgment must answer the proportion of the mercy.
(a) If the acknowledgment be in word, it must be taken notice of in a more than ordinary manner (Psa 150:2).
(b) If in deed, some notable thing must be done for God (Est 6:3; 2Sa 7:2).
3. This reproves–
(1) Those that instead of rendering according, render the quite contrary; who the more God hath blessed them, grow unthankful, proud, sensual, dead formal in prayer, less in communion with God, more licentious in their actions. They are like tops never well but when they are scourged; abuse their mercies to the contempt of God, as the Israelites took the earrings of gold and silver, which were the spoils of the Egyptians, and made a golden calf of them. As the sea turneth all the sweet dews and influences of heaven into salt water, so they turn all their mercies into occasions of sin.
(2) Those that do not render ought at all. There was a law in (Eze 46:9). He that went in at one gate was not to go out at the same gate, but an opposite; some say, lest he should turn his back upon the mercy-seat.
(3) Those that render something but not suitable.
(a) We must be first reconciled to God before we can do anything acceptable.
(b) Awaken the heart to the work.
(c) Search out the works of God (Psa 111:2).
(d) Consider what the world gaineth by every discovery of God.
(e) Desire God to give you the heart to render (Psa 51:15).
(f) Reason and argue from your experiences to your duty (Ezr 9:13).
II. That it is a sign we are unthankful under mercies when the heart is lifted up upon the enjoyment of them.
1. Because God can never be rightly praised or exalted while the heart is proud (Isa 2:17). God is exalted in the creatures self-abasement.
2. A proud heart cannot be rightly conversant about blessings. It doth not give them their–
(1) Due rise, as David (2Sa 7:18).
(2) Due value (Psa 78:20; Est 5:13; Mal 1:2).
(3) Due ends.
3. How shall we know when the heart is lifted up? It is mainly shown–
(1) In security. Men live as if they were above changes. God is neglected, or but coldly owned, as if we now had no more need of Him (Lam 1:9).
(2) In insolency. This is manifested–
(a) By contention. When we are delivered, then we revive old quarrels; as timber warpeth in the sunshine.
(b) By insultation over enemies.
(c) By oppression and violence.
4. Use.
(1) Take heed of secret thoughts of merit (Deu 9:4).
(2) Take heed of ascribing to your wisdom, power, and conduct (Heb 1:16; Deu 8:14; Deu 8:17).
3. Take heed of the pride of self-dependence.
Conclusion:
1. A special recognition and recalling of sins is not unseasonable (Eze 36:30-31).
2. Meditate upon the changes of providence (Psa 39:5). Belisarius, a famous general to-day, and within a little while forced to beg for a halfpenny. Things and persons are as the spokes of a wheel, sometimes in the dirt and sometimes out. (S. Manton, D.D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 24. Hezekiah was sick] See 2Kg 20:1, &c., and the notes there.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Of which see a more particular account 2Ki 20:1.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. In those days Hezekiah was sickto the death(See on 2Ki20:1-11).
2Ch32:27-33. HIS RICHESAND WORKS.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
In those days Hezekiah was sick,…. Of which sickness, and of his prayer, and of the sign given him, see Isa 38:1 and the notes there.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery; his pride and his humiliation. – 2Ch 32:24. As to the sickness of Hezekiah, and the miraculous sign by which the prophet Isaiah assured him of recovery, see the account in 2Ki 20:1-11 and Isa 38. The Chronicle has only given us hints on this matter. and refer to the same subject – God. Hezekiah prayed, and in consequence of his prayer God spake to him, sc. by the mouth of the prophet, and gave him a miraculous sign.
2Ch 32:25 “But Hezekiah rendered not according to the benefit unto him, for his heart was proud.” In his sickness he had promised to walk in humility all his days (Isa 38:15): yet he became proud after his recovery; and his pride showed itself especially in his showing all his treasures to the Babylonian embassy, in idle trust in them and in the resources at his command (cf. 2Ki 20:12-15; Isa 39:1-4). “And there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem,” which participated in the king’s sentiments (cf. 2Ch 19:10; 1Ch 27:24). Isaiah proclaimed this wrath to him in the prophecy that all the treasures of the king would be carried away to Babylon, and that some of his sons should become courtiers of the king of Babylon (2Ki 20:16-18; Isa 39:5-7), to which we should perhaps also reckon the threatening prophecy in Mic 3:12.
2Ch 32:26 Then Hezekiah humbled himself in his pride, and the wrath came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah (cf. Isa 39:8). The threatened judgment was postponed because of this humiliation, and broke over the royal house and the whole kingdom only at a later time in the Chaldean invasion.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Death of Hezekiah. | B. C. 698. |
24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave 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 pride 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 pleasant 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 ambassadors 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, 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 chiefest 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.
Here we conclude the story of Hezekiah with an account of three things concerning him:–
I. His sickness and his recovery from it, v. 24. The account of his sickness is but briefly mentioned here; we had a large narrative of it, 2 Kings xx. His disease seemed likely to be mortal. In the extremity of it he prayed. God answered him, and gave him a sign that he should recover, the going back of the sun ten degrees.
II. His sin and his repentance for it, which were also more largely related, 2 Kings xx. 12, c. Yet several things are here observed concerning his sin which we had not there. 1. The occasion of it was the king of Babylon’s sending an honourable embassy to him to congratulate him on his recovery. But here it is added that they came to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land (<i>v. 31), either the destruction of the Assyrian army or the going back of the sun. The Assyrians were their enemies; they came to enquire concerning their fall, that they might triumph in it. The sun was their god; they came to enquire concerning the favour he had shown to Hezekiah, that they might honour him whom their god honoured, v. 31. These miracles were wrought to alarm and awaken a stupid careless world, and turn them from dumb and lame idols to the living God; and men were startled by them, but not converted till a greater wonder was done in that land, in the appearing of Jesus Christ, Mat 2:1; Mat 2:2. 2. God left him to himself in it, to try him, v. 31. God, by the power of his almighty grace, could have prevented the sin; but he permitted it for wise and holy ends, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, he might know, that is, it might be known (a usual Hebraism), what was in his heart, that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was, but had his follies and infirmities as other men. God left him to himself to be proud of his wealth, to keep him from being proud of his holiness. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited or self-confident, but may always think meanly of ourselves and live in a dependence upon divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leave us to ourselves. Lord, lead us not into temptation. 3. His sin was the his heart was lifted up, v. 25. He was proud of the honour God had put upon him in so many instances, the honour his neighbours did him in bringing him presents, and now that the king of Babylon should send an embassy to him to caress and court him: this exalted him above measure. When Hezekiah had destroyed other idolatries he began to idolize himself. O what need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves, and to beg earnestly of God that he will hide pride from them and always keep them humble! 4. The aggravation of his sin was the he made so bad a return to God for his favours to him, making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride (v. 25): He rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him. Note, It is justly expected that those who have received mercy from God should study to make some suitable returns for the mercies they have received; and, if they do not, their ingratitude will certainly be charged upon them. Though we cannot render an equivalent, or the payment of a debt, we must render the acknowledgment of a favour. What shall I render that may be so accepted? Ps. cxvi. 12. 5. The divine displeasure he was under for this sin; though it was but a heart-sin, and the overt-act seemed not only innocent but civil (the showing of his treasures to a friend), yet wrath came upon him and his kingdom for it, v. 25. Note, Pride is a sin that God hates as much as any, and particularly in his own people. Those that exalt themselves must expect to be abased, and put under humbling providences. Wrath came on David for his pride in numbering the people. 6. His repentance for this sin: He humbled himself for the pride of his heart. Note, (1.) Though God may, for wise and holy ends, suffer his people to fall into sin, yet he will not suffer them to lie still in it; they shall not be utterly cast down. (2.) Heart-sins are to be repented of, though they go no further. (3.) Self-humiliation is a necessary branch of repentance. (4.) Pride of heart, by which we have lifted up ourselves, is a sin for which we ought in a special manner to humble ourselves. (5.) People ought to mourn for the sins of their rulers. The inhabitants of Jerusalem humbled themselves with Hezekiah, because they either knew that they also had been guilty of the same sin, or at least feared that they might share in the punishment. When David, in his pride, numbered the people, they all smarted for his sin. 7. The reprieve granted thereupon. The wrath came not in his days. While he lived the country had peace and truth prevailed; so much does repentance avail to put by, or at least to put off, the tokens of God’s anger.
III. Here is the honour done to Hezekiah, 1. By the providence of God while he lived. He had exceeding much riches and honour (v. 27), replenished his stores, victualled his campus, fortified his city, and did all he wished to do; for God had given him very much substance, v. 29. Among his great performances, his turning the water-course of Gihon is mentioned (v. 30), which was done upon occasion of Sennacherib’s invasion, 2Ch 32:3; 2Ch 32:4. The water had come into that which is called the old pool (Isa. xxii. 11) and the upper pool (Isa. vii. 3); but he gathered the waters into a new place, for the greater convenience of the city, called the lower pool, Isa. xxii. 9. And, in general, he prospered in all his works, for they were good works. 2. By the respect paid to his memory when he was dead. (1.) The prophet Isaiah wrote his life and reign (v. 32), his acts and his goodness or piety, or which it is part of the honour to be recorded and remembered, for examples to others. (2.) The people did him honour at his death (v. 33), buried him in the chief of the sepulchres, made as great a burning for him as for Asa, or, which is a much greater honour, made great lamentation for him, as for Josiah. See how the honour of serious godliness is manifested in the consciences of men. Though it is to be feared that the generality of the people did not heartily comply with the reforming kings, yet they could not but praise their endeavours for reformation, and the memory of those kings was blessed among them. It is a debt we owe to those who have been eminently useful in their day to do them honour at their death, when they are out of the reach of flattery and we have seen the end of their conversation. The due payment of this debt will be an encouragement to others to do likewise.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
HEZEKIAHS SICKNESSHIS PRIDE AND WEALTHTHE BABYLONIAN EMBASSYCONCLUSION (2Ch. 32:24-33).
(24) In those days Hezekiah was sick.This single verse epitomises 2Ki. 20:1-11; Isaiah 38
To the death.Unto dying.
He spake unto him.By the mouth of Isaiah.
And he gave him a sign.The recession of the shadow on the dial of Ahaz. Literally, and a sign He gave him; the emphatic word first.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 32:24. And he spake unto him And he was entreated of him. See the 13th verse of the next chapter.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
We have here the Lord’s servant under another trial, that of sickness. Sweet are all the exercises of God’s people when sanctified. The event of this is more particularly related, 2Ki 20 ; Isa 38 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
Ver. 24. In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death. ] See 2Ki 20:1-3 , &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
In those days. While Sennacherib’s host was still surrounding Jerusalem. This is a brief summary of what is described in 2Ki 20and Isa 38.
gave him a sign. Recorded in 2Ch 20:1-11. The going back of the shadow on the sun-dial of Ahaz ten degrees, which caused him to give the title of the fifteen “Songs of the degrees” (Psa 120 – 134). See App-67.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ch 32:24-26
2Ch 32:24-26
THE NEAR-FATAL ILLNESS OF HEZEKIAH
“In those days Hezekiah was sick even unto death: and he prayed unto Jehovah; and he spake unto him, and gave him a sign. 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 Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of God came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.”
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 32:24. Sick to the death means that his sickness was going to be fatal if something would not be done to cure it. But that was done, and a miracle was performed to cure the disease, and also a sign or other miracle was performed to assure him that he not only would recover from his present illness, but would live a stated number of years. For a fuller account of this matter see 2Ki 20:1-11.
2Ch 32:25. The best of men will make mistakes, and often it is when they have been favored the most. After Hezekiah had his health restored, and was given assurance of many more years of life, he became puffed up and failed to show appreciation for the favors. That is the meaning of rendered not in this verse. By his unwise conduct, the wrath of God came down on the nation and its capital. The details of that are set forth in 2Ki 20:12-19.
2Ch 32:26. It is not the man who never makes any mistakes (there are none such) whom the Lord will bless, but the one who, after he has done wrong is willing to humble himself and repent. That was what made David “a man after God’s own heart.” Hazekiah humbled himself before God and his repentance was recognized. Certain marks of the divine displeasure were bound to be brought upon the country, but Hezekiah was spared the pain of seeing them personally.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
One Flaw in a Good Life
2Ch 32:24-33
What this sign was is more clearly told in Isa 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 2Ki 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 mans 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 2Ch 32:25; 2Ch 31:1-21. Hezekiahs ostentatious display of his wealth and treasure excited the cupidity of the Babylonian envoys, and sowed the seed of Nebuchadnezzars invasion, though the blow was temporarily averted by the repentance of the king and nation, 2Ch 32:26.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Hezekiah: 2Ki 20:1-3, Isa 38:1-3
gave him a sign: or, wrought a miracle for him, 2Ki 20:4-11, Isa 38:4-8, Isa 38:21, Isa 38:22
Reciprocal: 2Ki 20:11 – he brought 2Ch 6:28 – whatsoever Psa 34:17 – cry Isa 38:8 – I will bring Luk 17:15 – General Act 10:4 – thy
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him {r} a sign.
(r) To confirm his faith in God’s promise, who declared to him by his prophet that his life would be prolonged fifteen years.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
5. Hezekiah’s humility and greatness 32:24-33
Hezekiah fell short of being the perfect Son of David, just like all the rest of Judah’s monarchs. Yet when his heart did become proud because of God’s blessings, he humbled himself (2Ch 32:25-26). Consequently, God postponed His discipline (2Ch 32:26).
Hezekiah was immensely wealthy and enjoyed much honor in his day (2Ch 32:27-30; cf. Solomon). God rewarded his faithfulness and commitment. The Chronicler passed over Hezekiah’s unwise decision-to show the Babylonian envoys his riches-with a brief comment (2Ch 32:31; cf. 2Ki 20:12-19). He was not perfect.
King Hezekiah was one of the greatest of Judah’s reformers. We can see his zeal for God clearly in his zeal for God’s house and the worship it facilitated. Not since Solomon had there been a king who more consistently reflected the heart of David.
". . . the Chronicler has gone out of his way to present Hezekiah as a second Solomon . . ." [Note: Williamson, 1 and 2 . . ., pp. 350-51.]