Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 32:33
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchers of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
33. in the chiefest ] R.V. in the ascent, LXX. .
did him honour ] Cp. 2Ch 16:14 ; 2Ch 21:19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The chiefest of the sepulchres – Most modern commentators render – on the ascent to the sepulchres; but some think that an excavation above all the other tombs – in the same repository, but at a higher level (see the margin) – is intended. The catacomb of David was full; and the later princes had sepulchres quite distinct from the old burial-place (see 2Ch 33:20; 2Ki 21:18, 2Ki 21:26; 2Ki 23:30).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 33. Chiefest of the sepulchres] This respect they paid to him who, since David, had been the best of all their kings.
I shall subjoin a few things from the Targum on this chapter.
2Ch 32:1. “After these things which Hezekiah did, and their establishment, the Lord appointed by his WORD to bring Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and his army, into the land of Israel, that he might destroy the Assyrians in the land of the house of Judah, and smite their troops on the mountains of Jerusalem, and deliver all their spoils into the hands of Hezekiah and his people: wherefore Sennacherib came with immense armies, which could not be numbered; and having pitched his camps in the land of the tribe of Judah, besieged their fortified cities with his armies, hoping to overthrow them.”
2Ch 32:8. Hezekiah said – “His help is the strength of the flesh; but our auxiliary is the WORD of the Lord.”
2Ch 32:16. “His (Sennacherib’s) servants spoke blasphemy against the WORD of the Lord God.”
2Ch 32:18. In the Jews’ speech – “In the language of the holy house.”
2Ch 32:21. “And the WORD of the Lord sent Michael, and the angel Gabriel, and destroyed them on the night of the passover with a destructive fire; and burnt up their breath within their bodies, and consumed every soldier, captain, and prince, in the army of the king of Assyria; and he returned with shame of face into his own land.”
The destruction of God’s enemies, and the support and salvation of the faithful, is in every instance in this Targum attributed to the WORD of the Lord, personally understood. 2Ch 34:27.
2Ch 32:24. “In those days was Hezekiah sick near to death; but he prayed before the Lord who spoke to him by his WORD to preserve him and to add to his life fifteen years.”
2Ch 32:31. “The king of Babylon sent, that they might inquire concerning the miracle that had been done in the land; that they might see the two tables of stone which were in the ark of the covenant of the Lord which Moses had placed there with the two tables which he had broken on account of the sin of the calf which they made in Horeb. The WORD of the Lord permitted him to show them these; neither did he suffer for it; that he might try him, and see what was in his heart.”
THUS God speaks after the manner of men: he either brings, or permits them to be brought, into such circumstances as shall cause them to show their prevailing propensities; and then warns them against the evils to which they are inclined, after having shown them that they are capable of those evils. To know ourselves, and our own character, is of the utmost importance to our religious growth and perfection. He who does not know where his weakness lies, is not likely to know where his strength lies. Many, by not being fully acquainted with their own character, have been unwatchful and unguarded, and so become an easy prey to their enemies. Know thyself is a lesson which no man can learn but from the Spirit of God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers,…. Died, as they did:
and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David; in the more honourable and principal of them; there are still to be seen, on the north of Jerusalem, some grottos, called the sepulchres of the kings, though it is certain none of the kings of Israel or Judah were buried there; unless it may be thought, as Mr. Maundrell e conjectures, that Hezekiah was here inferred, and that these are the sepulchres of the sons of David here mentioned; however, he observes, whoever was buried here, this is certain, that the place itself discovers so great an expense both of labour and treasure, that we may well suppose it to be the work of kings:
and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death; by attending his funeral in great numbers, by burning spices for him, and by mourning for him many days:
and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead; of whom a further account is given in the next chapter.
e Journey from Aleppo, &c. p. 76.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(33) And they buried him . . . honour at his death.Statements peculiar to the chronicler. They go to prove an authority besides the canonical books of Kings.
The chiefest.Rather, the ascenti.e., the way up to the royal tombs. (Comp. 2Ch. 20:16.) The sons of David are the kings of the house of David. Hezekiah may have chosen a favourite spot for his burial-place; but, as his successors Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah likewise, were not laid in the tombs of the kings, it would appear that the old royal sepulchres were full.
Did him honour at his death.The phrase, did him honour (as kbd l) occurs here only. (Comp. give honour to, 1Sa. 6:5; Psa. 29:1.) Probably a great burning of spices was made in honour of Hezekiah as of Asa. (See 2Ch. 16:14; 2Ch. 21:19.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. In the chiefest of the sepulchres Or, in the ascent of the sepulchres of the sons of David This may mean either a slope or ascent leading to the royal sepulchre, or some elevation above the sepulchre a higher place than that where the other kings were buried. Perhaps there was no more room in the sepulchre of David.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
So royal a character as Hezekiah, and especially after the view we have had before of his father Ahaz, demands our thankfulness to the God of our mercies, who maketh one to differ from another, and by his grace forms all the difference between the precious, and the vile. And while we look at Hezekiah, let us not overlook all the offspring of Jesus, our almighty king. Is it not he who hath begotten us unto this royal state, and made all his children kings and priests to God and the Father! Think, believer, what an honored, what a royal state you are new born to in Christ Jesus! he hath made us (saith an apostle) partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. You are called to a princely service also; for his service is perfect freedom. And how noble is the clothing of the king’s daughter, which is all glorious within. How royal their state; how truly kingly their dignity, which are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Hail! thou holy, blessed, royal Lord Jesus! by whose complete salvation we are thus begotten to the privilege of children of God, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Oh! for grace to live up to our high and glorious privileges. Beloved! now are we the sons of God! and it doth not appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure. 1Jn 3:1-2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 32:33 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.
Ver. 33. See 2Ki 20:21 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
slept with his fathers. See note on Deu 31:16.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
slept: 1Ki 1:21, 1Ki 2:10, 1Ki 11:43
chiefest: or, highest
did him: 2Ch 16:14, Gen 50:10, Gen 50:11, Num 20:29, Deu 34:8, 1Sa 2:30, 1Sa 25:1, Pro 10:7
And Manasseh: 2Ch 33:1-20
Reciprocal: 2Ki 20:21 – slept 2Ki 21:1 – was twelve 2Ki 21:18 – and was buried 2Ch 27:7 – Now the rest 2Ch 33:20 – Manasseh Neh 2:3 – the place Psa 68:29 – shall Isa 1:1 – the days Isa 57:1 – righteous Hos 1:1 – Uzziah Hos 11:12 – Judah Mic 1:1 – Jotham Mat 1:9 – Ezekias Mat 1:10 – Manasses Act 8:2 – made
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 32:33. All Judah did him honour at his death They buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres, made as great burning for him as for Asa; or, which is a much greater honour, made great lamentation for him, as they afterward did for Josiah. Though it is to be feared that the generality of the people did not comply with those of their kings, who were pious, in their endeavours to reform the nation; yet they could not but praise those endeavours, 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.