Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 16

1 IN the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa , Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come into Asa king of Judah .

Or, of the Kingdom of Asa, i. e. of the Kingdom of Judah, which was now Asa's Kingdom; or from the time of the division of the two Kingdoms. Rehoboam reigned 17 years, ch. 12. 13. Abijah 3 years, ch. 13. 2. Asa had now reigned 15 years, ch. 15. 10. all which put together make up the 35 years mentioned ch. 15. 19. And in the next year Baasha wars against him; and the ground of War was the defection of many of his Subjects to Asa, ch. 15. 9. whom Asa endeavours to engage together with his own Subjects by an Oath and a Covenant to be true and faithful to God and consequently to himself, which was done in his 15th. year, ch. 15. 9, 10. and therefore in his 16th. year, called here the 36th. year of h[illegible: 1+ letters]s Kingdom he commenceth an open War against him. If it be objected that the Reign, or Kingdom of Asa is otherwise understood of the time of Asa's personal Reign (as I may call it) ch. 15. 10. The Answer is obvious, that there are many Instances in Scripture[illegible: 1+ letters] (some of which have been formerly given, and others will be given in their proper places,) where the same Word or▪ Phrase is taken differently, and that in the very same Chapter and History. And particularly this variety is elsewhere used both by Sacred and Profane Writers, in the Computation of the years of Princes, which are sometimes reckoned from the beginning of their Reign, and sometimes from other remarkable Times and Occurrences. Thus Nebuchadnezzars years are sometimes computed from the beginning of his Reign, as 2 King. 25. 8. Ier. 52. 12, 29, 30. and sometimes from his compleat Conquest of Syria and Egypt, &c. As that Passage, Dan. 2. 1. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar, is by the general stream of Interpreters understood. Thus Ahaziahs years, which doubtless were usually computed from the time of his Birth, are computed from another Head, ch. 22. 2. where see the Notes. And the like differences are observed in computing the years of some of the Syrian Monarchs and Roman Emperours, and particularly of Augustus, the years of whose Reign are variously accounted by the Roman Historians, sometimes from his first Consulship; sometimes from the time of the Triumvirate; and sometimes from that Famous Victory at Actium, where he utterly overthrew his Competitour, and made himself sole and unquestionable Emperour. And therefore it is not strange if it be so here. And that it must necessarily be thus understood, appears from hence, that it cannot be the 36th. year of the Reign of Asa in his own▪ person, because Baasha began to reign in Asa's third year, 1 King. 15. 28. and reigned onely 24 years, and consequently died in Asa's 26th. or 27th. year, as it is said he did, 1 King. 15. 8.

That he might keep his subjects from revolting to Asa, as he perceived they began to do, ch. 15. 9. and keep Asa's Subjects from coming into his Dominions to seduce his [illegible: 1+ letters]eople from their Obedience to him.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 15. 17.

2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD, and of the kings house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

This verse, and v. 3, 4, 5, 6. are explained, 1 King. 15. 18, &c.

Marginal references: Heb. Darm[illegible: 1+ letters] sek.

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand .

And so reserved to be a Scourge to thy Kingdom and Posterity hereafter: Whereas if he had joyned with Baasha against thee, thou shouldest have overthrown them both, and prevented all that Mischief which that Monarch will do one day to thy Family.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 16. 1. Ch. 19. 2.

8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims , a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet because thou didst relie on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

Either the Libians in Africa; or another People, possibly descended from them, but now seated in some part of Arabia.

Marginal references: Ch. 14. 9.; Heb. in abundance.

9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them, whose heart is perfect toward him; herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars .

i. e. Upright and sincere, as thine is not. Obj. The heart of Asa is said to be perfect all his days, ch. 15. 17. Ans. He was perfect and sincere in the things here spoken of in the Establishment of the outward Worship of God; but not in the inward Worship of God, trusting, and fearing, and loving him with all his heart, of which he here speaks. Or thus, He was perfect or sincere in the general Course of his Life, though in some particulars, whereof this is one, his heart did not perfectly cleave to God, as it should have done.

With Baasha, ch. 16. 4.

Marginal references: Zech. 4. 10.; Or, strongly to hold with them, &c.; 1 Kin. 15. 32.

10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in aprison house , for he was in a rage with him, because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

Or, in the house of the Stocks, in which the Feet, or, as some of the Hebrews say, the Necks of the Prisoners were locked up. See I[illegible: 1+ letters]r. 20. 2. & 29. 26.

Marginal references: Heb. a house of subversion.; Heb. cr[illegible: 1+ letters]shed.

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians .

He did not humble himself before God, nor earnestly desire his Help, but put all his Confidence in the Skill and Faithfulness of his Physicians, of whom, it seems, he had, great experience.

14 And they buried him in his own sepulchre, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and [illegible: 1+ letters]aid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries art : and they made a very great burning for him.

As the manner of those Nations was. See Gen. 50. 2. 2 Chron. 21. 19.

To wit, of Precious Spices; thereby [illegible: 1+ letters]estifying their Thankfulness for many Benefits which they enjoyed under his Government, and their Respect to him notwithstanding his Miscarriages.

Marginal references: Heb. digged.