Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 32:26
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.
26. humbled himself ] Cp. 2Ki 20:19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Hezekiah humbled himself – Perhaps this is the self-humiliation of which Jeremiah speaks (marginal reference) as following on a certain prophecy uttered by Micah. The prophecy Mic 3:12 is by some referred to the earlier part of the reign of Hezekiah; but there is nothing to show that it was not delivered about this time.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Ch 32:26
Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart.
Hezekiahs sin and humiliation
I. Show the nature and grounds of hezekiahs humiliation. His sin does not seem great in human estimation; but it was exceeding sinful in Gods sight.
1. He sought his own glory. He wished to show what a great man he was, in order that his alliance might be courted and his power feared.
2. He sought his own glory in preference to Gods honour. He had now a happy opportunity of magnifying the God of Israel. He might have
(1) recounted Gods past dealings with His people;
(2) commended Jehovah as an answerer of prayer.
3. He sought his own glory before the good of his friends. He should have recompensed the great kindness of the ambassadors by instructing them in the knowledge of the God of Israel.
II. Enquire whether we also have not similar grounds for humiliation.
1. Pride is deeply rooted in the heart of fallen man. We are vain
(1) of any natural endowments of body or mind.
(2) Of any acquired distinctions.
(3) Even the gifts of grace become occasions of pride.
2. We indulge this disposition to the neglect of Gods honour and of the eternal welfare of those around us.
(1) We have many opportunities of speaking for God.
(2) But how rarely is our intercourse with each other made subservient to His glory.
III. Inferences.
1. What dreadful evils arise from small beginnings. Hezekiah at first probably intended only to show civility to his friends.
2. How great is the efficacy of fervent prayer and intercession. God deferred the evil threatened till the next generation. (Skeletons of Sermon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 26. Humbled himself] Awoke from his sleep, was sorry for his sin, deprecated the wrath of God, and the Divine displeasure was turned away from him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,…. In what manner is not said; perhaps by putting on sackcloth, and by fasting and prayer, and making confession of sin, and declaring repentance for it:
so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah; but in the days of his son’s sons, Isa 39:7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(26) Notwithstanding.And.
The wrath of the Lord . . . days of Hezekiah.(Comp. Isa. 39:8.) On hearing Isaiahs prophecy of coming evil, Hezekiah humbly acquiesced in the will of Jehovah. Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah. Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. And he said, There shall be peace and permanence in my own days (2Ki. 20:19).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 428
HUMILIATION FOR THE SIN OF THE HEART
2Ch 32:26. Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart.
THE best of men are liable to fall through temptation, but they will deeply bewail any sin into which they have been betrayed. Hezekiah was a man of very distinguished piety [Note: 2Ki 20:3]; but he was not sufficiently aware, that his integrity was the effect of divine grace, and not of human power. God therefore left him for a moment to the influence of his own heart [Note: ver. 31.]. In consequence of this he soon gave a proof of his inherent depravity; but, on discovering his sin, he instantly humbled himself for it before God.
We shall shew,
I.
What were the grounds of Hezekiahs humiliation
The sin committed by him does not in human estimation appear great
[The princes of Babylon sent to congratulate him on his recovery: he received them with all the kindness and courtesy that he could express, and shewed them every thing in his dominions that could afford them entertainment [Note: 2Ki 20:13.].]
But his conduct was exceeding sinful in the sight of God; for in it,
1.
He sought his own glory
[Hezekiah evidently thought of nothing else at that time. He wished to shew how great a man he was, in order that his alliance might be courted, and his power feared. Now this would have been highly criminal in any man [Note: Pro 25:27.], but it was especially so in him, at that particular juncture. He had just been at the borders of the grave; and therefore should have been more impressed with the vanity of earthly grandeur, and should have seen the folly and wickedness of priding himself in things so empty, so worthless, so transient.]
2.
He sought his own glory in preference to Gods honour
[He had now a happy opportunity of magnifying the God of Israel. He might have told the ambassadors, what God had done for his nation in former times; he might have recited the wonderful restoration which God had at this time afforded to himself in particular, together with the stupendous miracle with which the promise of that recovery had been confirmed [Note: 2Ki 20:11. It is worthy of remark, that the ambassadors were sent on purpose to inquire into the miracle wrought in the land in making the sun go back ten degrees. His neglect therefore win the more sinful. 2Ch 32:31.] he might have commended Jehovah as an answerer of prayer [Note: 2Ki 20:4-5.] and in this way have exalted him above all the gods of the heathen; and surely the mercies that had been vouchsafed unto him, demanded such a tribute: but he was pitifully occupied about self, and basely preferred his own honour before Gods.]
3.
He sought his own glory before the good of his friends
[The ambassadors were shewing great kindness to him: he should therefore have recompensed them in the best way. He should have instructed them in the knowledge of the God of Israel, and have told them how willing he was to become their God; thus, perhaps, he might have converted and saved their souls, and have spread the knowledge of the true God in Babylon; yea, eventually, he might have been instrumental to the salvation of thousands. But he utterly forgot the necessities of their souls, and was offering incense to his own vanity, when he should have been promoting their eternal welfare.]
This was his sin; and God denounced a heavy judgment against him on account of it
[His riches were all to be taken away by the Chaldeans, his own children were to be made eunuchs in the king of Babylons palace, and the whole nation to be led into a miserable captivity.]
But, if his offence was great, his humiliation also was remarkable
[He heard with trembling the judgments which God threatened to execute. Instead of palliating his sin, he acknowledged at once the justice of the Deity in inflicting such a punishment on account of it: in concert with all his subjects, he implored forgiveness at Gods hands; and, having obtained a respite of the sentence, meekly, and even thankfully, acquiesced in the determinations of Heaven [Note: Isa 39:8.].]
While we see in him much to shun, and much to imitate, let us shew,
II.
What grounds there are for similar humiliation amongst us
Pride is deeply rooted in the heart of fallen man. We are prone to be lifted up on every occasion
[We are vain of any natural endowments of body or mind. The strong displays his strength; the beautiful, her beauty. A penetrating mind, or tenacious memory, are made grounds of self-admiration, and self-preference. Any acquired distinctions also become food for our vanity: the man of wealth, of honour, or of power, assumes a consequence from his elevation, and demands from others a homage as his due; the proficient in any art or science courts applause, and delights to have his talents admired. Even the gifts of grace, through the depravity of our nature, become occasions of pride: not only an ability to speak or pray with fluency, but even an insight into the corruption of the heart, is often exhibited more for the purpose of attracting admiration than of doing good. Whatever we have that elevates us a little above our fellow-creatures, our proud hearts are fond of displaying it, and pleased with the flattering attentions which it procures for us.]
We indulge the disposition too to the neglect of Gods honour, and of the eternal welfare of those around us
[How many glorious opportunities have we of speaking for God! What grounds of praising him might we find in the sacred records! especially the wonders of redeeming love! How many too might we find in our own experience! And what unspeakable benefit might arise to mankind, if we carefully improved these opportunities! But how rarely is our intercourse with each other made subservient to these ends! We for the most part waste our time in flattering attentions and unprofitable civilities, and are as intent on gratifying the vanity of ourselves or others, as if our social converse were capable of no better improvement.]
How much then do we need to imitate Hezekiahs humiliation!
[However innocent we may think such conduct, it is highly criminal in the sight of God; it renders us justly obnoxious to Gods heaviest judgments [Note: Mat 12:36-37.]. Should we not then humble ourselves before him in dust and ashes? Should not the forbearance he has exercised call forth our devoutest acknowledgments? And should we not adore his goodness even if he only delay to execute his threatened vengeance? Let us not attempt to palliate this common, but vile, iniquity, but rather unite in deprecating the wrath we have deserved.]
Infer,
1.
How watchful should we be against what are called little sins!
[Hezekiah at first probably intended only to shew civility to his friends; but through inattention to the motions of his heart, he fell into grievous sin, and brought on the whole nation the heaviest judgments. Let us learn then to mark the first risings of sin in our hearts; let us bear in mind how greatly we may offend God by a neglect of our duty: let us remember, too, that God notices and abhors sin in the heart, no less than when it is brought forth into open act; let us guard especially against the workings of pride and vain-glory: let us entreat him to sanctify our inward man [Note: 1Th 5:23.], and never to leave us to ourselves for one single moment.]
2.
How great is the efficacy of fervent prayer and intercession!
[The judgment denounced against Hezekiah was to have been speedily inflicted; but he and Judah sought the Lord by humble and fervent prayer, and the Lord deferred the evil till the next generation. Thus will he do also in answer to our prayers. If we turned to him as a nation, he would prolong our national prosperity, and would blot out for ever the personal guilt of every true penitent. Let us then humble ourselves for our abominations both of heart and life; so shall we find God as gracious unto us, as ever he was to his people of old.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 32:26 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.
Ver. 26. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself. ] He afflicted himself with voluntary sorrows, when once, by the preaching of the prophet, he came to a sight of his sin. Submissior factus est superbia cordis sui – so Vatablus rendereth it – he was made more humble by the pride of his heart: as God’s people are gainers by their sins also; whence that paradox of Augustine, My sins, in some sense, do me more good than my graces; for they make me afterwards more humble, more careful, more thankful for a Saviour, more merciful to others, more desirous of the state of perfection, &c. See 2Ki 20:17-19 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the pride = the lifting up. Compare 2Ch 32:25.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ki 20:16-19, Isa 39:6-8
Hezekiah: 2Ch 33:12, 2Ch 33:19, 2Ch 33:23, 2Ch 34:27, Lev 26:40, Lev 26:41, 2Ki 20:19, Jer 26:18, Jer 26:19, Jam 4:10
pride: Heb. lifting up
so: 1Ki 21:19
days: 2Ch 34:27, 2Ch 34:28, 1Ki 21:29
Reciprocal: Deu 8:2 – to humble Deu 17:20 – his heart 2Sa 24:2 – that I may 2Sa 24:10 – I have sinned 2Ki 20:13 – there was nothing 1Ch 21:2 – that I may 2Ch 12:6 – humbled 2Ch 36:12 – humbled Pro 29:23 – man’s Jer 44:10 – are not Mic 6:8 – walk humbly Mar 7:22 – pride 2Co 12:7 – lest 1Ti 6:17 – that they Jam 4:6 – giveth grace 1Pe 5:6 – Humble
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 32:26. Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart For the sins of the heart, though they should never show themselves in any external way, either by word or deed, must be acknowledged to God and repented of, if we would find mercy; and self-humiliation is a necessary branch of repentance. Both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem Who humbled themselves with Hezekiah, either because they were conscious they had been guilty of the same sin, or, at least, feared they might share in the punishment. So that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah In his days there were peace and truth; so much doth repentance avail to put by, or at least to put off, the tokens of Gods anger.