성경 주석서

In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

Ahaz the son of Jotham. — Under this most wicked prince prophesied Isaiah, Hosea, Micah, and Nahum, but with little good success, so incorrigibly flagitious were now all sorts grown.

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Twenty years old [was] Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.

When he began to reign, — i.e., Himself alone after his father’s death; in whose lifetime he had been designed to the kingdom, and then he was but twenty years old. Or, When he, that is, Jotham, began to reign. See the like, 2 Chronicles 36:9 .

And reigned sixteen years. — But had an ill life of it all the while, by reason of oppressions and miseries.

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But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.

But he walked in the way, … — He "did wickedly as he could," as if he had been "delivered to do all these abominations," as Jeremiah 7:10 .

According to the abominations of the heathen. — Who offered their own flesh and blood in an idol’s fire. How gladly then should we offer to God our souls and bodies, which we may enjoy so much the more when they are his!

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And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

And he sacrificed, … — He "did evil with both hands earnestly," Micah 7:3 as if afraid to be outdone by any other; he took long strides toward hell, which was but a little afore him, and did even gape for him.

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Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome [him].

Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah, … — After a former invasion of the land, and great spoil made, 2 Chronicles 28:5 these two confederate kings came up to Jerusalem, the chief city, which they had already devoured in their hopes, resolving to set up the son of Tabeal, some great man of Syria, for king. Isaiah 7:5-6

And besieged Ahaz. — Who, with his people, was grievously frightened till confirmed by a sign, though most unworthy of such a favour. Isaiah 7:1 ; Isaiah 7:16

But could not overcome him. — For they proved like two tails of smoking firebrands. Isaiah 7:4 They came into the country like thunder and lightning: but went out like a snuff.

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At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

At that time. — When he came against Jerusalem.

Recovered Elath. — Josephus calleth it Aria by the Red Sea.

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So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser. — God had offered him a sign for his better assurance, saying, Ask it either in the depth or height above. Isaiah 7:11-12 Here was a fair offer to a foul sinner; that where sin abounded, grace might superabound. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I try the Lord, q.d., I will ask no asks, I will try no signs; I know a trick worth two of that; let God keep his signs to himself: I crave no such courtesy at his hands, I can otherwise relieve myself by sending to the Assyrian.

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And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent [it for] a present to the king of Assyria.

And sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. — Who being ambitious of a universal monarchy, was glad of the opportunity, when he saw the gold especially.

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