2 Chronicles 36

2 Chronicles 36:1

THen the people, &c.] The five first verses of this chapter are recorded in 2 King. 23. 30, &c.

2 Chronicles 36:3

put him] Heb. removed him.

condemned] Heb. mulcted.

2 Chronicles 36:6

Against him] See on 2 Kings 24:1.

Nebuchadnezzar] By his servants, 2 Kings 24:10.

fetters] Or, chains.

2 Chronicles 36:7

Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon] 2 Kings 24:13.

carried of the vessels] Or, part of the vessels, Daniel 1:1-2.

2 Chronicles 36:8

abominations] Idolatry, and other notorious sins, 1 Kings 14:24.

found in him] His breaking of faith with Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 24:1.

Jehoiachin] Or, Jeconiah, 1 Chronicles 3:16. Or, Coniah, Jeremiah 22:24.

2 Chronicles 36:9

Jehoiachin was eight yeers old when he began to reign] 2 Kings 24:8.

when he] Jehojakim the father, mentioned, v. 8. For Jehoiachin the son was eighteen yeers old when he himself began to reign, 2 Kings 24:9. see 2 Kings 16:2.

2 Chronicles 36:10

when the yeer was expired] Heb. at the return of the yeer.

the yeer was expired] When another yeer began, and it was seasonable to go into the field, 2 Samuel 11:1. 1 Kings 20:21. For Jehoiachin reigned not a whole yeer, v. 9.

goodly vessels] Heb. vessels of desire. See v. 19.

Zedekiah] Or, Mattaniah, 2 Kings 24:17.

Zedekiah his brother] Jeremiah 37:1.

his brother] Or, uncle. For Zedekiah was his fathers brother, 1 Chronicles 3:15.

2 Chronicles 36:11

Zedekiah was one and twenty yeers old when he began to reign] 2 Kings 24. 18. Jere. 52. 1, &c.

2 Chronicles 36:12

humbled not] Repented not, though Jeremiah foretold his destruction, Jere. 37. 2, 6, &c.

2 Chronicles 36:13

rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar] Jere. 52. 3.

who had made him swear] See Ezekiel 17:16; Ezekiel 17:18-19.

stiffned his neck] A metaphor taken from beasts that will not yeeld their necks to the yoke. It implieth an obstinate disposition, Exodus 32:9. Acts 7:51. 2 Kings 17:14.

2 Chronicles 36:15

And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them] Jere. 25. 3, 4. and 35. 15.

by his messengers] Heb. by the hand of his messengers.

rising up betimes] A metaphor taken from carefull housholders, who with the soonest seek to redresse mischief, causing their servants for that end to rise betimes.

betimes] That is, continually and carefully.

dwelling-place] Psalms 74:7.

2 Chronicles 36:16

mocked the messengers] See Matth. 21. 35, 36.

no remedy] Till Gods wrath was made implacable.

remedy] Heb. healing.

2 Chronicles 36:17

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Caldees] 2 King. 5. 1, &c.

in the house of their sanctuary] The temple wherein the Jews observed the holy ordinances appointed to them in speciall: and whither they then might fly for refuge.

2 Chronicles 36:18

all the vessels] For some of them were carried away before, v. 7.

2 Chronicles 36:19

goodly vessels] Heb. vessels of desire, as v. 10. Every way so excellent, as they would make one desire them: such as better could not be desired.

2 Chronicles 36:20

them that had escaped from the sword] Heb. the remainder from the sword.

were escaped] Were not slain at sacking the city.

carried he] Nebuchadnezzar (v. 6.) Evil-merodach his son (2 Kings 25:27.) and Belshazzar his son, Dan. 5 1.

untill the reign, &c.] When Cyrus the first monarch of Persia, who subdued the Babylonian monarchy, set them free.

2 Chronicles 36:21

Jeremiah] Jere. 25. 9, 12. and 29. 10.

had enjoyed her sabbaths] Levit. 26 34, 35, 43. From the carrying of Jehoachin into captivity (Ezekiel 40:1.) till Babylon was taken by the Medes and Persians, Daniel 5:30-31.

kept sabbath] Or, rested. Leviticus 23:33. and Leviticus 26:4. This he opposeth to their prophaning of the sabbath, while they dwelt in the land: which prophanenesse being away, by their removall, the land is said to keep her sabbaths.

threescore and ten] Of his monarchy, wherein Babylon was made subject to him.

2 Chronicles 36:22

Now in the first yeer of Cyrus king of Persia, &c.] Ezra 1:1.

Jeremiah] Jere. 25. 12, 13. and 29. 10.

might be accomplished] Or, when the word of the Lord was accomplished.

stirred up the spirit of Cyrus] By sending some prophet to him or by giving him notice of prophesies tending to that end (as Isaiah 44:28. and 45. 1, &c.) or by some inward speciall instinct.

2 Chronicles 36:23

All the kingdoms] Very many: even all round about him on every side.

the Lord God, &c.] Such an acknowledgement of Gods Soveraignty, power, and providence, could not be but by divine instinct.

charged me] See v. 22.

to build] To cause to be built.

an house] Which is to be where the former temple was.

who is there, &c.] Who is willing to help on that work?

God be with him] He prayeth for Gods blessing, and then doth what in him lieth to do.

The two last verses of this book are word for word repeated in the beginning of the next book, to shew that they are one continued history, penned by the same author.