King James Version
2 Kings 18
37 verses with commentary
Hezekiah's Reign in Judah
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Hezekiah: he is called Ezekias
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later history,...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XVIII.—XIX.
THE REIGN OF HEZEKIAH IN JUDAH. THE GREAT DELIVERANCE FROM SENNACHERIB.
(1) **Hezekiah.**—See Note on 2Kings 16:20 and 2Chronicles 29:1. The name in this form means, “My strength is Jah” (Psalm 18:2), and its special appropriateness is exemplified by Hezekiah’s history.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness--**not a total and material blindness, for then they could not have followed him, but a mental hallucination (see Ge 19:11) so that they did not perceive or recognize him to be the object of their search.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that externa...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Abi.**—This should probably be Abijah, as in Chronicles and a few MSS.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-23. This is not the way, neither is this the city--**This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his language was purposely framed to deceive them; and yet the deception must be viewed in the light of a stratagem, which has always been deemed lawful in war.
**he led them to Samaria--**When ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine ref...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-23. This is not the way, neither is this the city--**This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his language was purposely framed to deceive them; and yet the deception must be viewed in the light of a stratagem, which has always been deemed lawful in war.
**he led them to Samaria--**When ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. images: Heb. statues Nehushtan: that is, A piece of brass
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both gen...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **He removed.**—*He it was who removed.* According to this statement, Hezekiah made the Temple of Jerusalem the only place where Jehovah might be publicly worshipped. (Comp. 2Kings 18:22, and the fuller account in 2Chronicles 29:3-36.)
**Brake the images.**—*Shattered the pillars* (1Kings 14:23; Hosea 3:4; 2Chronicles 14:2).
**The groves.**—Heb., *the Asherah.* It should probably be plural, *t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-23. This is not the way, neither is this the city--**This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his language was purposely framed to deceive them; and yet the deception must be viewed in the light of a stratagem, which has always been deemed lawful in war.
**he led them to Samaria--**When ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **He trusted . . . Israel.**—*In Jehovah, the God of Israel he trusted.* Hezekiah is thus contrasted with idolatrous kings, such as those who trusted in the Nehushtan.
**After him was none like him among all the kings of Judah.**—This does not contradict what is said of Josiah (2Kings 23:25). Hezekiah was preeminent for his *trust* in Jehovah, Josiah for his *strict adherence to the Mosaic Law...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-23. This is not the way, neither is this the city--**This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his language was purposely framed to deceive them; and yet the deception must be viewed in the light of a stratagem, which has always been deemed lawful in war.
**he led them to Samaria--**When ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. from: Heb. from after him
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **For he clave.**—*And he held fast.* Hezekiah’s pious *feeling.*
**But kept.**—*And he kept.* Hezekiah’s *practice.* The context shows that the “commandments” specially in the writer’s mind were those against polytheism.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-23. This is not the way, neither is this the city--**This statement is so far true that, as he had now left the place of his residence, they would not have got him by that road. But the ambiguity of his language was purposely framed to deceive them; and yet the deception must be viewed in the light of a stratagem, which has always been deemed lawful in war.
**he led them to Samaria--**When ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **And he prospered** **. . .** **went forth.**—*Whithersoever he would go forth he would prosper.* (The italicised *and* is needless here, as in 2Kings 18:6.)
**Prospered.**—Comp. 1Kings 2:3; Proverbs 17:8. *Going forth* denotes any external undertaking or enterprise, especially going forth to war. (Comp. the phrase “going out and coming in.”)
**He rebelled against the king of Assyria**—*i.e.,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. Ben-hadad ... besieged Samaria--**This was the predicted accomplishment of the result of Ahab's foolish and misplaced kindness (1Ki 20:42).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. Gaza: Heb. Azzah
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **He smote.**—*He it was who smote.* The reduction of the Philistines was probably subsequent to the retreat of Sennacherib. (Comp. 2Chronicles 32:22; Isaiah 11:14.)
**Unto Gaza.**—The southernmost part of the Philistine territory.
**From the tower of the watchmen . . . city.**—See Note on 2Kings 17:9. The entire land of Philistia was ravaged by the Judean forces.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25. an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver--**Though the ass was deemed unclean food, necessity might warrant their violation of a positive law when mothers, in their extremity, were found violating the law of nature. The head was the worst part of the animal. Eighty pieces of silver, equal to £5 5s.
**the fourth part of a cab--**A cab was the smallest dry measure. The proportio...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →The Fall of Samaria
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9-12) The account of the captivity of northern Israel is repeated here, because the editor faithfully reproduces what he found in the abstract of the *Judœan* history of the kings. (Comp. 2Kings 17:3-6, and the Notes.) We may also see a contrast between the utter overthrow of the stronger kingdom and the deliverance of its smaller and weaker neighbour, because Hezekiah trusted in Jehovah (2Kings ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26. as the king was passing--**to look at the defenses, or to give some necessary orders for manning the walls.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's la...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **They took** **it***—i.e.,* the Assyrians took it. This reading is preferable to that of the LXX., Syriac, and Vulg. (“he took it”), as it was Sargon, not Shalman-eser, who took the city. Schrader is too positive in calling this “a certainly false pronunciation” of the Hebrew verb. (Comp. Note on 2Kings 17:5.) 2Kings 17:6, to which he refers as “decisive” for the singular here also, says tha...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign con...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Because they obeyed not** **. . .**—Thenius calls this remark, which properly belongs to the historical abstract from which the compiler drew the narrative of 2Kings 18:1-12, “the theme” which suggested the reflections of 2Kings 17:7-23. They *may* have been suggested by passages of the Law and Prophets.
**And all.**—Omit *and,* with all the versions. “All that Moses . . . commanded” is in ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29. we boiled my son, and did eat him--**(See on De 28:53).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. Sennacherib: Heb. Sanherib
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later histo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13-37) **THE INVASION OF SENNACHERIB.**
(13) **In the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah.**—The fall of Samaria is dated 722-721 B.C. , both by the Bible and by the Assyrian inscriptions. That year was the sixth of Hezekiah, according to 2Kings 18:10. His fourteenth year, therefore, would be 714-713 B.C. Sennacherib’s own monuments, however, fix the date of the expedition against Judah and Egypt at...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30. had sackcloth within upon his flesh--**The horrid recital of this domestic tragedy led the king soon after to rend his garment, in consequence of which it was discovered that he wore a penitential shirt of haircloth. It is more than doubtful, however, if he was truly humbled on account of his own and the nation's sins; otherwise he would not have vowed vengeance on the prophet's life. The tr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Lachish.**—*Um-Lâkis,* in the south-west corner of Judah, close to the Philistine border, and near the high road from Judæa and Philistia to Egypt. The fortress was important to Sennacherib, as it commanded this route. In fact, Sennacherib’s chief aim was Egypt, as appears from 2Kings 19:24, and Herodotus (ii. 141), and it was necessary for him to secure his rear by first making himself mas...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship remin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **The silver**—*i.e.,* the money.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**32. But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him--**The latter clause of 2Ki 6:33, which contains the king's impatient exclamation, enables us to account for the impetuous order he issued for the beheading of Elisha. Though Jehoram was a wicked king and most of his courtiers would resemble their master, many had been won over, through the prophet's influence, to the true religion. A ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. it: Heb. them
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereig...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Cut off the gold from the doors.**—Literally, *trimmed,* or *stripped the doors* (the word used in 2Kings 16:17 of the similar proceeding of Ahaz). The leaves of the doors of the sanctuary were overlaid with gold (1Kings 6:18; 1Kings 6:32; 1Kings 6:35). Hard necessity drove Hezekiah to strip off this gold, as well as that with which he had himself plated “the pillars” or rather *the framewo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
Elijah sends Ahab notice of his coming.(1-16)
Elijah meets Ahab.(17-20)
Elijah's trial of the false prophets.(21-40)
Elijah, by prayer, obtains rain.(41-46)
**Verses 1-16**
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, ex...
Read full commentary →And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field. great: Heb. heavy
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformati...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **And the king of Assyria sent . . .**—Apparently in careless violation of his word, as Josephus states.
**Tartan.**—Rather, *the commander-in-chief;* called in Assyrian *tur-ta-nu,* a word of Sumerian origin, imitated in the Hebrew *tartān* here and in Isaiah 20:1.
**Rabsaris and Rab-shaken.**—Two other official titles. The Rabsaris has not been identified on the Assyrian monuments. The Hebr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-20**
One may guess how people stand affected to God, by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers. It has been the lot of the best and most useful men, like Elijah, to be called and counted the troublers of the land. But those who cause God's judgments do the mischief, not he that foretells them, and warns the nation to repent.
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. scribe: or, secretary
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **And when** **they had called to the king.**—They demanded a parley with Hezekiah himself. The king sent out his chief ministers; as to whom see 1Kings 4:1-4. For *Eliakim* and *Shebna* see further, Isaiah 22:15; Isaiah 22:20 *seq.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 7
2Ki 7:1-16. Elisha Prophesies Incredible Plenty in Samaria.
**1. Hear ye the word of the Lord--**This prediction, though uttered first to the assembled elders, was intimated to the king's messengers, who reported it to Jehoram (2Ki 7:18).
**To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, &c.--**This may be estimated at a peck of fine flour for 2s. ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-20**
One may guess how people stand affected to God, by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers. It has been the lot of the best and most useful men, like Elijah, to be called and counted the troublers of the land. But those who cause God's judgments do the mischief, not he that foretells them, and warns the nation to repent.
And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **And Rab-shakeh said.**—Tiglath Pileser records that he sent a *rab-sak* as his envoy to Tyre. Thenius supposes the present *rab-sak* may have been a better master of Hebrew than his companions. Schrader says it would have been beneath the *tartan’s* dignity to speak, and that such vigorous language as follows would have had a very strange effect in the mouth of a eunuch (the *rabsaris*)*.*
...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. a lord on whose hand the king leaned--**When an Eastern king walks or stands abroad in the open air, he always supports himself on the arm of the highest courtier present.
**if the Lord would make windows in heaven--**The scoffing infidelity of this remark, which was a sneer against not the prophet only, but the God he served, was justly and signally punished (see 2Ki 7:20).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-20**
One may guess how people stand affected to God, by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers. It has been the lot of the best and most useful men, like Elijah, to be called and counted the troublers of the land. But those who cause God's judgments do the mischief, not he that foretells them, and warns the nation to repent.
Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? sayest: or, talkest vain: Heb. word of the lips I have: or, but counsel and strength are for the war
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Thou sayest (but they are but vain Words).**—Literally, *thou hast said*—*a mere lip-word it was*—*i.e.,* insincere language, an utterance which thou knewest to be false. (Comp. our expression, “lip-service.”)
**I have counsel** **. . .**—The margin is wrong.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. there were four leprous men--**The account of the sudden raising of the siege and the unexpected supply given to the famishing inhabitants of Samaria, is introduced by a narrative of the visit and discovery, by these poor creatures, of the extraordinary flight of the Syrians.
**leprous men at the entering in of the gate--**living, perhaps, in some lazar house there (Le 13:4-6; Nu 5:3).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-20**
One may guess how people stand affected to God, by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers. It has been the lot of the best and most useful men, like Elijah, to be called and counted the troublers of the land. But those who cause God's judgments do the mischief, not he that foretells them, and warns the nation to repent.
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. trustest: Heb. trustest thee
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **The staff of this bruised reed.**—*Cracked* or *flawed* would be better than bruised; because, as is clear from the following words, the idea is that of a reed splitting and piercing the hand that rests upon it. (Comp. Isaiah 42:3.) As to the Judæan expectations from Egypt, comp. Isaiah 20:1-5; Isaiah 30:1-8; Isaiah 31:1-4, passages in which such expectations are denounced as implying want ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relations...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **But if** **ye say.**—The address seems to turn abruptly from Hezekiah to his ministers, and to the garrison of Jerusalem in general. But the LXX., Syriac, Arabic, and Isaiah 36:7 have the singular, “But if thou say,” which is probably original. (Hezekiah is presently mentioned in the third person, to avoid ambiguity.)
**In the Lord our God.**—The emphatic words of the clause.
**Whose high p...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. they rose up in the twilight--**that is, the evening twilight (2Ki 7:12).
**the uttermost part of the camp of Syria--**that is, the extremity nearest the city.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. pledges: or, hostages
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Give pledges to.**—Rather, *make a compact with* . . . So the Syriac; literally, *mingle with* . . . *have dealings with* (Psalm 106:35). Gesenius explains: *join battle with;* literally, *mingle yourselves with:* LXX., μίχθητε δὴ. Mr. Cheyne prefers, *lay a wager with* . . . The *rab-sak* sneers at Hezekiah’s want of cavalry, an arm in which the Assyrians were preeminently strong; and furt...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6-7. the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots--**This illusion of the sense of hearing, whereby the besiegers imagined the tramp of two armies from opposite quarters, was a great miracle which God wrought directly for the deliverance of His people.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **How then.**—Literally, *And how.* The connection of thought is: *(But thou canst not); and how . . .*
**Turn away the face of . . .***—i.e.,* repulse, reject the demand of . . . (1Kings 2:16.)
**One captain of the least of my master’s servants.**—Rather, *a pasha who is one of the smallest of my lord’s servants.* He means himself. The word we render “pasha” is, in the Hebrew, *pa’hath,* a w...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6-7. the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots--**This illusion of the sense of hearing, whereby the besiegers imagined the tramp of two armies from opposite quarters, was a great miracle which God wrought directly for the deliverance of His people.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later hist...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **The Lord said to me.**—Michaelis supposed that Sennacherib had consulted some of the captive priests of the Northern kingdom. Others think some report of the menaces of the Hebrew prophets may have reached Assyrian ears. Thenius makes Rab-shakeh’s words a mere inference from the success which had hitherto attended the expedition; but the language is too definite for this. In the annals of N...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. these lepers ... did eat and drink--**After they had appeased their hunger and secreted as many valuables as they could carry, their consciences smote them for concealing the discovery and they hastened to publish it in the city.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later histo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **Speak, I pray thee . . . in the Syrian language.**—HezeMah’s ministers naturally dread the effect of Rab-shakeh’s arguments and assertions upon the garrison of the city. The people, many of whom had always been accustomed to worship at the high places, might very well doubt whether there were not some truth in the allegation that Jehovah was incensed at their removal.
**In the Syrian langua...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. these lepers ... did eat and drink--**After they had appeased their hunger and secreted as many valuables as they could carry, their consciences smote them for concealing the discovery and they hastened to publish it in the city.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung , and drink their own piss with you? their own piss: Heb. the water of their feet
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **Hath my master . . .**—Rather, *Is it to thy lord and to thee that my lord hath sent me to speak these words?*
**The men which sit on the wall**—*i.e.,* the soldiers on guard.
**That they may eat** **. . .**—These coarse words are meant to express the *consequence* of their resistance: it will bring them to such dire straits that they will be fain to appease the cravings of hunger and thirs...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. these lepers ... did eat and drink--**After they had appeased their hunger and secreted as many valuables as they could carry, their consciences smote them for concealing the discovery and they hastened to publish it in the city.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **Stood.**—*Came forward, i.e.,* nearer to the wall. (Comp. 1Kings 8:22.)
**The word.**—LXX. and Vulg., *words;* so Isaiah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. these lepers ... did eat and drink--**After they had appeased their hunger and secreted as many valuables as they could carry, their consciences smote them for concealing the discovery and they hastened to publish it in the city.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **Let not Hezekiah deceive you.**—Rab-shakeh was quick-witted enough to take instant advantage of Eliakim’s unwary remark, and to come forward in the character of a friend of the people (*Cheyne*)*.* (For the verb, see Genesis 3:13.)
**His hand.**—To be corrected into “my hand,” in accordance with all the versions, save the Targum.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-15. the king ... said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done--**Similar stratagems have been so often resorted to in the ancient and modern wars of the East that there is no wonder Jehoram's suspicions were awakened. But the scouts, whom he despatched, soon found unmistakable signs of the panic that had struck the enemy and led to a most precipitate flight.
2Ki 7...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over histo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord.**—Hezekiah cannot save you himself (2Kings 18:29); Jehovah will not do so (2Kings 18:25). The “Jewish colouring” of the verse is not apparent to the present writer. If Rab-shakeh could speak Hebrew, he would almost certainly know the name of the god of the Jews; and it was perfectly natural for him to assume that Hezekiah and his prophets wou...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-15. the king ... said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done--**Similar stratagems have been so often resorted to in the ancient and modern wars of the East that there is no wonder Jehoram's suspicions were awakened. But the scouts, whom he despatched, soon found unmistakable signs of the panic that had struck the enemy and led to a most precipitate flight.
2Ki 7...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: Make: or, Seek my favour: Heb. Make with me a blessing cistern: or, pit
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **Make an agreement with me by a present.**—Literally, *make with me a blessing, i.e.* (according to the Targum and Syriac), “make peace with me.” The phrase does not elsewhere occur. Perhaps it is grounded on the fact that the conclusion of peace was generally accompanied by mutual expressions of goodwill. (Gesenius says *peace* is a conception akin to *blessing, weal*.)
**Come out to me.**—...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-15. the king ... said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done--**Similar stratagems have been so often resorted to in the ancient and modern wars of the East that there is no wonder Jehoram's suspicions were awakened. But the scouts, whom he despatched, soon found unmistakable signs of the panic that had struck the enemy and led to a most precipitate flight.
2Ki 7...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. persuadeth: or, deceiveth
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(32) **Oil olive.**—The cultivated as distinct from the wild olive, or oleaster (1Kings 6:23), which yields less and worse oil.
**That ye may live.**—Or, *and ye shall live;* a general promise of immunity, if they obey. (There should be, in this case, a stop at “honey.”)
**When he persuadeth you.**—Or, *if he prick you on* (1Chronicles 21:1).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-15. the king ... said unto his servants, I will now show you what the Syrians have done--**Similar stratagems have been so often resorted to in the ancient and modern wars of the East that there is no wonder Jehoram's suspicions were awakened. But the scouts, whom he despatched, soon found unmistakable signs of the panic that had struck the enemy and led to a most precipitate flight.
2Ki 7...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and d...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(33) **Hath any . . . his land.**—Literally, *have the* *gods of the nations at all delivered every one his own* *Land?* If this is to be consistent with 2Kings 18:25, we must suppose the thought to be that the god of each conquered nation had favoured the Assyrian cause, as Jehovah is here alleged to be doing. But, as 2Kings 18:34-35 seem to imply the impotence of the foreign deities when opposed...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(34) **Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad?**—Sargon, Sennacherib’s father, had reduced these two cities. The reference to “my fathers” in 2Kings 19:12, and the use of the general term, “the king of Assyria” (2Kings 18:33), are against Schrader’s supposition that the historian has confused the campaigns of Sargon with those of Sennacherib. (Comp. 2Kings 17:24; 2Kings 17:30.) Sargon has reco...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned,--**&c. The news spread like lightning through the city, and was followed, as was natural, by a popular rush to the Syrian camp. To keep order at the gate, the king ordered his minister to keep guard; but the impetuosity of the famishing people could not be resisted. The lord was trodden to death, and Elisha's prophecy in all respects a...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(35) **The countries.**—Which I have myself conquered.
**That the Lord should deliver** **. . .**—Ewald explains here, as in the last verse, *much less will Jehovah deliver,* &c., taking kî, “that,” as equivalent to *‘aph ki.*
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bible Hub
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later history, we see both genui...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-roo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-40**
Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Je...
Read full commentary →