2 Chronicles 33

2 Chronicles 33:1

Of the reign - Or, of the kingdom of Asa, that is, of the kingdom of Judah, which was now Asa’s kingdom; or from the time of the division of the two kingdoms. Rehoboam reigned seventeen years, Abijah three years, Asa had now reigned fifteen years, all which put together, make up the thirty five years mentioned chap.15:19, and in the next year Baasha wars against him; and the ground of the war was the defection of many of his subjects to Asa, chap.15:9.

2 Chronicles 33:7

Escaped - And so reserved to be a scourge to thy kingdom and posterity: whereas if he had joined with Baasha against thee, thou shouldst have overthrown them both, and prevented all that mischief which that monarch will do to thy family.

2 Chronicles 33:8

Lubims - Either, the Lybians in Africa; or another people, possibly descended from them, but now seated in some part of Arabia.

2 Chronicles 33:9

Done foolishly - It is a foolish thing to lean on a broken reed, when we have the rock of ages to rely upon. Perfect - Upright and sincere, as thine is not. He was sincere in the general course of his life, but some particulars, whereof this is one, his heart did not perfectly cleave to God.

2 Chronicles 33:12

Sought not - He did not humble himself before God, but put his confidence in the skill and faithfulness of his physicians. His making use of physicians was his duty, but his trusting in them, and expecting that from them, which was to be had from God only, was his sin and folly. The help of every creature must be used, with an eye to the creator, and in dependence on him, who makes every creature that to us which it is, without whom the most skilful and faithful are physicians of no value.

2 Chronicles 33:14

Burning - Of precious spices; thereby testifying their respect to him notwithstanding his miscarriages.

2 Chronicles 33:16

Burning - Of precious spices; thereby testifying their respect to him notwithstanding his miscarriages.

2 Chronicles 33:17

Burning - Of precious spices; thereby testifying their respect to him notwithstanding his miscarriages.

2 Chronicles 33:18

Sought not, &c. - It is true, he recovered from that fall. “Yet perhaps, says Mr. Henry, he never, while he lived, fully retrieved the spiritual strength he lost by it.”

2 Chronicles 33:20

Brought presents - As subjects in those times used to do to their kings, as a token of their respect and subjection to them.

2 Chronicles 33:21

Lifted up - Above all discouragements, and fears. He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways. Groves - Those wherein idols were worshipped, and though Asa had done this before, yet either he did not do it thoroughly; or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones, in the latter part of his reign, when he grew more infirm in body, and more remiss in God’s cause.

2 Chronicles 33:22

To teach - To inform the people of their duty, and of the king’s pleasure, as judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes in the king’s name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God, which were the municipal laws of that land: the particular explication and enforcement whereof, they left to the Levites and priests here following, who were sent for this end, and accordingly taught the people, ver.9.

2 Chronicles 33:24

And they taught, &c. - And these itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together, Mr. Henry observes were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33:25

Fear fell - Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him, for even the Heathens could not but observe, that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, according as they served God or forsook him.