Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 32

1 AFter these things and the establishment thereof , Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entred into Judah, and encamped against the senced cities, and thought to win them for himself .

An Emphatical Preface, signifying, that notwithstanding all his Pious Care and Zeal for God, yet God saw fit to Exercise him with a fore Trial and Calamity; which yet he turned to his great Honour and Advantage.

He designed and bragged that he would win them all, and did actually win many of them, 2 King. 18. 13.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 18. 13, [illegible: 1 word].; [illegible: 1 word]. 36. [illegible: 1+ letters] &c. [illegible: 1+ letters] Heb. t[illegible: 1+ letters]is; [illegible: 1 word] Gr. [illegible: 1 word]. 31. 20. [illegible: 1+ letters] Heb. [illegible: 1 word] break [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

3 He took counsel with his princes, and his mighty men, to stop the waters of the fountains , which were without the city: and they did help him.

With Earth or other things cast into them; and withal to derive the Waters by secret Paths and Pipes under ground to Jerusalem.

4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopt all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water ?

Which was a scarse Commodity in this Country, and the want of it might much annoy the Assyrian Army.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken , and raised it up to the towers , and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

By Joash, ch. 25. 23. and not since repaired, 2 Chron 25. 23.

Either 1. As high as the Towers, or the tops of the Wall. Or, 2. As far as the two Towers, or Gates, which were made in the Form of Towers, and had the use of Towers, to wit, that of Ephraim and the Corner-Gate, both mentioned above, ch. 25. 23. Or, brought up Engines or Instruments of Defence upon the Towers.

Of which see 1 King. 9. 24. & 11. 27.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 22. 9.; 2 Sam. 5. 9.; Or, swords, or weapons.

9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah, that were at Jerusalem, saying,

Of this and the following Verses see the Notes on 2 King. 18. 17. &c. and 19. 10, &c.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1+ letters]. m[illegible: 1+ letters]n.

15 Now there[illegible: 1+ letters]ore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor perswade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

Seeing I have destroyed so many Nations and some of them stronger than you in spight of all their gods, it is not probable that your God should defend you, which none of the rest could do for their People.

23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations , from thenceforth.

Or, of all those Nations, which were not very remote from Canaan and heard these matters.

Marginal references: Heb. precious things.

24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death , and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

Of which see a more particular Account, 2 King. 20. 1, &c.

Marginal references: 2 Kin. 20. 1. Isa. 38. 1.; Or, wrought a miracle for him.

25 But Hezekiah rendred not again, according to the benefit done unto him: for his heart was lifted up , therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem .

For that prodigious Victory over the Assyrians, above v. 21. and for his miraculous Restauration from Sickness, and the confirmation of that Work by a strange and supernatural Motion of the Sun; and by the Honour since done him by an Embassy from the great and potent King of Babylon. All which probably raised in him too great an Opinion of himself, as if these things were done, if not by his Power, yet, at least, for his Piety and Vertues. And instead of walking humbly with God, and giving the Glory of all intirely to him, he took the Honour to himself, and vaingloriously shewed his Riches and Precious Treasures to the Babylonish Ambassadors, 2 King. 20. 12, &c.

Who might justly be punished for Hezekiahs Sin, because they followed him in it, as they confess in the next verse.

29 Moreover he provided him cities , and possessions of flocks, and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

Heb. he made, &c. Either he purchased them to himself by his Gold or Silver: Or, he repaired, and fortified, and beautified them for the honour and safety of his Kingdom. But the former Sence seems to agree better with the following Words.

30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper water-course of Gihon , and brought it straight down to the west-side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

A Rivulet near Jerusalem consisting of two Streams, the upper which was brought into one Pool called the upper Pool, Isa. 7. 3. and the lower which was brought into another called the lower Pool, Isa. 22. 9. The former he diverted and brought by secret Pipes into Jerusalem; which was a Work of great Art, and Labour, and Policy, and therefore is here commended.

Whereas before it fetched a compass, and thereby might have been beneficial to the Assyrian Host.

31 Howbeit in the business of the embassadours of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God lest him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

To wit, to himself, and his own Impotency and Corruption. God withdrew from him those Supplies and Assistances of his Spirit which would certainly and effectually have kept him from that sin, and suffered Satan to tempt him, and him to fall into the sin of Pride and Ostentation:

Either 1. That God might know it. So it is spoken of God after the manner of Men; whereof we have had many Instances. Or, 2. That Hezekiah might know that he had Infirmities and Sins as well as Vertues; and therefore that the great Mercies which he had received were not the Effects of his owa Merits, as he might be prone to believe, but of Gods free Grace.

Marginal references: Heb. Interpreters.; 2 Kin. 20. 12. Isa. 39. 1.