2 Chronicles 32:27

HIS RICHES AND WORKS. (Ch2 32:27-33)

he had exceeding much riches and honour--(compare Kg2 20:13; Isa 39:2). A great portion of his personal wealth, like that of David and Uzziah, consisted in immense possessions of agricultural and pastoral produce. Besides, he had accumulated large treasures in gold, silver, and precious things, which he had taken as spoils from the Philistines, and which he had received as presents from neighboring states, among which he was held in great honor as a king under the special protection of Heaven. Much of his great wealth he expended in improving his capital, erecting forts, and promoting the internal benefit of his kingdom.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Ch 32:27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

Ver. 27. And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour.] And these puffed him up; his heart was lifted up with his wealth, as a boat riseth with the rising of the water that carrieth it.

And for all manner of pleasant jewels.] Heb., Instruments of desire. All these were lawful enough, and useful, had he not shot his affections too far into them.

“ Difficile est amimos opibus non tradere. ”

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

32:27-30 Hezekiah’s wealth marked him as a king like Solomon.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 27. Pleasant jewels] כלי חמדה keley chemdah, desirable vessels or utensils.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(27) Had.—Or, got.

Riches and honour (or, wealth; kâbôd).—Comp. 1Ch_29:28 (David); 2Ch_1:12 (Solomon), 2Ch_17:5; 2Ch_18:1 (Jehoshaphat).

He made himself treasuries.—Comp. 2Ki_20:13; Isa_39:2, where silver and gold and spices are mentioned among the treasures of Hezekiah.

Shields.—Comp. Solomon’s golden, and Rehoboam’s brazen, shields. No doubt the term is here used to suggest arms in general. Kings and Isaiah mention “his armoury.”

All manner of pleasant jewels.—Literally, all vessels of desire. (Comp. Nah_2:10, “wealth of every vessel of desire.”) Costly implements and utensils of all sorts are included.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

27. riches and honour] Cp. 2Ki_20:13 (= Isa_39:2).

shields] If the text be correct we must think of silver and gold in the form of shields; cp. 2Ch_9:15-16; but perhaps we should read migdânoth, “precious things,” (as in 2Ch_32:23), for mâginnoth “shields.” LXX. ὁπλοθήκας, i.e. “armouries”; Pesh. (text being doubtful here) “shields” or “pearls” or “precious gifts.”

pleasant jewels] R.V. goodly vessels.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness,.... His acts of piety and liberality:

behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz; in the prophecy of Isaiah, Isa 36:1, whose book is called the Vision of Isaiah, Isa 1:1.

and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel; in Kg2 18:1.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Arms. Heb. "shields." Sept. "arsenals."

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

27. Pleasant jewels — Rather, precious vessels. The reference may be to jewels or to splendid furniture.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

If Hezekiah not only began to negotiate, but actually paid the precious metals, etc., with which he offered to buy off the invasion of Sennacherib, (2Ki_18:14-16) he may have become considerably recouped by the presents and gifts subsequently, liberally it would appear, brought to him (see our ver. 23), and it is possible that this may give us some further clue to where it was that his heart strayed, while displaying his wealth and treasures to the messengers of Berodach-Baladan King of Babylon.

Vers. 27-30, 32, 33.

Hezekiah"s happiness.

1. There can be no question at all as to Hezekiah"s greatness. He was one of the greatest of the kings of Judah; not more than two, or three at the most, can be named as being greater than he.

2. Or as to the excellency of his estate (see text, vers. 27-29). He had allthat his heart could wish, so far as temporal possessions were concerned.

3. Or as to the regard in which he was held by his subjects. They evidently"delighted to honour" him, as they showed by their action when he died (ver. 33). When the restraints of a great man"s presence are taken away, we see what his fellows really think, and how they feel about him. But was he a happy man, an enviable man, one with whose condition for state with all attendants we should like to exchange our own? That may well be doubted. Consider

I THE DEEPENING SHADOW THAT LAY ALONG HIS PATH, He knew that, from the time of his sickness, he had fifteen years to live. (2Ki_20:6) Now, with such a sensitive and thoughtful spirit as his was, (Isa_38:2, Isa_38:3) we may be sure that he counted the years as they wentby, and that he realized with painful force the diminution of those that remained to him. How much more happy are we who are in ignorance of the number of the years before us! To know positively that only so many more remain must cast an ever-darkening shadow on the path of life.

II THE LACK OF THE LIGHT BEYOND THE SHADOW. Hezekiah does not seem to have cherished any hope, to have entertained any expectation that could be truly called a hope, concerning the future. (see Isa_38:9-20) And to be drawing nearer and nearer, day by day, by a distinctly measurable distance, the hour when the light of life would go out into the thick darkness, what a saddened life must that have been to a thoughtful and imaginative spirit!

III THE FEAR HE MUST HAVE FELT CONCERNING HIS COUNTRY"S FUTURE, Manasseh, his son, may have been too young to have given any very decided intimation of his probable future. But, looking behind him, remembering the imperfections or the reactions and apostasies of Solomon, of Jehoram, of Ahaz, he must have been seriously concerned lest his son should undo what he himself had so laboriously done. What security was there that the evil and idolatrous practices he had so fearlessly and so faithfully suppressed would not be revived? that the religion of Jehovah he had so carefully re-established would not be set aside, and thus his life-labour lost? Such reflections especially if he had any insight into, and therefore any foresight of, Manasseh"s character and course must have tinged his thought with a melancholy hue. Yet was there one compensating and reassuring thought, which may have balanced all others, and have brightened his latter days. That was

IV THE REVIEW OF HIS OWN LIFE, and of the work he had wrought since he had occupied the throne. It was not the recollection of his prosperities (ver. 30) which would gladden his heart in the after-years; they become of continually smaller consequence as we leave them behind us. It was the remembrance of his kindnesses (ver. 32, marginal reading) and of his faithfulness as the chief servant of Jehovah, that would give gladness to his heart, as they gave lustre to his reign. Let us remember that physical enjoyments, mental excitements, earthly honours, human congratulations or landations, all these melt away into nothingness as time comes between them and our spirit. Soon the one vital and only serious question will be What have we done of all that God gave us to do? what have we achieved with the faculties and the facilities he placed in our charge? Prosperities and enjoyments do for the passing hour, but kindnesses and fidelities attend us to the dying pillow, and they cross the last stream and await us as we land on the other side. C.

Vers. 27-30.

The greatness of Hezekiah.

I HIS WEALTH.

1. Large. "Much riches" (ver. 27); "very much substance" (ver. 29). In this he resembled Solomon (2Ch_9:22) and Jehoshaphat. (2Ch_17:5)

2. Varied.

(1) Precious metals. "Gold. silver, precious stones.

(2) Flocks and herds. "All manner of beasts and flocks" (ver. 28). Cf. the wealth of Abraham (Gen_13:2) and Lot. (Gen_13:5)

(3) Miscellaneous articles. Spices, shields, goodly vessels.

(4) Field produce. Corn and wine and oil (ver, 28).

II HIS WORKS.

1. Treasuries. For his gold, silver, precious stones; for spices, shields, and goodly vessels.

2. Storehouses. For his corn, wine, and oil.

3. Stalls. For his beasts and herds.

4. Folds. For his flocks.

5. Cities i.e. either watchtowers for his shepherds or (2Ch_26:10) dwelling-places for his herds and beasts.

6. Reservoirs. Containing water for the use of the inhabitants, especially in the time of a siege (ver. 30).

III HIS HONOUR.

1. In life.

(1) By Jehovah, who had exalted and prospered him in all his undertakings, public and private, military and commercial (ver. 30).

(2) By his subjects, who trusted, obeyed, revered, and loved him.

(3) By foreign princes and peoples, who brought presents to him in Jerusalem (ver. 23).

2. At death.

(1) By his people all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem who buried him in the chiefest, or in the ascent, of the sepulchres of the sons of David; i.e. in a special grave prepared for him and succeeding kings, and did him honour, most likely by burning spices. (2Ch_16:14 2Ch_21:19)

(2) By God, who gave him a son to reign in his stead. His throne passed not to a stranger, but continued in the line of David"s house, according to the promise.

3. After death. By receiving a double, yea, a threefold memorial:

(1) in the vision of Isaiah the prophet;

(2) in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel; and

(3) in the chronicles of the kings of Judah.

LESSONS.

1. The best wealth grace.

2. The noblest deeds works of faith.

3. The highest honour salvation and glory. W.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

stalls

This is a small enclosure where horses are kept. See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 9:25

pens

a storage place for small animals

translationWords

honor

silver

gold

storehouse

harvest

grain

wine

oil

flocks

possess

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

and for all precious vessels he made various kinds of treasure-houses.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.