Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
2 Chronicles 32
After these things. Thirteen years after the events in chapter 31.
establishment = "[done in] faithfulness". to win. Hebrew to break them up. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis, thus: "to break them up [and annex them] for himself".
to stop. By covering up the fountain En-rogel (now known as "The Virgin's Fount"), or Gihon (upper pool), on east side of Ophel. Discovered by Sir Charles Warren in 1867. This was brought down to the west side of the city by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32:30. Compare 2 Kings 20:20). En-rogel was stopped on the east side, and a channel cut through to the lower pool of Gihon on the west, and south to Siloam, a shaft running down to the water beneath Zion: referred to in Psalms 46:4. This -is contrasted with the Assyrian host, which is compared in the previous verse to raging waters. Isaiah refers to these works (Isaiah 22:9-11).
the brook = the overflow: i.e. Gihon, which frequently did so.
kings = the [great] king. Plural of majesty.
Be strong, &c. Hebrew "be ye strong", &c. See note on Deuteronomy 31:6.
multitude. Compared to raging waters (Psalms 46:2, Psalms 46:3).
After this. Omitting the account of the surrender of 2 Kings 18:14-10.
send his servants. Compare 2 Kings 18:17-37; 2 Kings 19:1-35. Isaiah 10:8-11; Isaiah 10:36; Isaiah 10:37.
against Lacnish. A difficult task, for Rab-shakeh found Sennacherib had abandoned the siege (2 Kings 19:8). Joshua had found it the same (see note on "second day", Joshua 10:31, Joshua 10:32). In Jeremiah 34:7 it still belonged to Judah.
power = royal retinue.
Whereon . . . ? Note the Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), used throughout Rabshakeh's message, verses: 2 Chronicles 32:32; 2 Chronicles 32:10-14.
trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69. Note the reference to Hezekiah's "trust in Jehovah" in his Songs of the degrees (; 125.:1-3; 127:1; 130:5-8, and see App-67.
god. Hebrew. "eloah. App-4.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. Plural, with verb "deliver" in sing
to rail. It is this railing which is referred to in Hezekiah's "Songs of the degrees": e.g. Psalms 120:2, Psalms 120:3; Psalms 123:3, Psalms 123:4; Psalms 129:5-7.
prayed and cried. This is what Hezekiah refers to in his "Songs of the degrees" (Psalms 120:1; Psalms 123:1-3; Psalms 130:1, Psalms 130:2). Compare Isaiah 38:10-20. 2 Kings 19:15-19; 2 Kings 20:2, 2 Kings 20:3. See App-67. One of the few O.T. instances of united prayer.
heaven. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for God Himself. "Heaven" used here because the prayer was made to God, as "the Maker of heaven and earth" (2 Kings 19:15. Isaiah 37:16). This is referred to in Hezekiah's "Songs of the degrees" (Psalms 121:1, Psalms 121:2; Psalms 123:1; Psalms 124:8).
returned with shame. This is referred to in Hezekiah's "Songs of the degrees" (Psalms 129:4, Psalms 129:5). Revised Version "be ashamed and turned backward". See App-67.
they that came forth of his own bowels. The phrase occurs only here. See notes on 2 Kings 19:37.
brought gifts . . . presents. This explains 2 Chronicles 32:27, and tells us how he could show treasures to the ambassadors from Babylon (2 Kings 20:13. Isaiah 39:1, Isaiah 39:2), after he had stripped himself for Sennacherib in 2 Kings 18:15.
nations = the nations.
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 2 Chronicles 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.
stopped. The latest discoveries prove that the upper pool (Gihon) is identical with En-rogel (= the Fuller"s Spring), now "the Virgin"s Fount". A rock-hewn channel was cut from this westward to "the lower pool of Gihon, and eastward to Siloam". On the water supply at that time, see Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 8:6; Isaiah 22:9-11; Isaiah 36:2. Compare 2 Chronicles 32:3, 2 Chronicles 32:4 and 2 Kings 20:20.
Babylon. The first occurrence of the name in connection with Judah.
the wonder. Compare 2 Chronicles 32:24. 2 Kings 20:10, 2 Kings 20:11. Isaiah 38:7, Isaiah 38:8.
slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16.
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