Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
S E C O N D K I N G S
CHAP. XVIII.
When the prophet had condemned Ephraim for lies and deceit he comforted himself with this, that Judah yet "ruled with God, and was faithful with the Most Holy," Hosea 11:12 . It was a very melancholy view which the last chapter gave us of the desolations of Israel; but this chapter shows us the affairs of Judah in a good posture at the same time, that it may appear God has not quite cast off the seed of Abraham, Romans 11:1 . Hezekiah is here upon the throne, I. Reforming his kingdom, 2 Kings 18:1 - 6 . II. Prospering in all his undertakings 2 Kings 18:7 ; 2 Kings 18:8 ), and this at the same time when the ten tribes were led captive, 2 Kings 18:9 - 12 . III. Yet invaded by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, 2 Kings 18:13 . 1. His country put under contribution, 2 Kings 18:14 - 16 . 2. Jerusalem besieged, 2 Kings 18:17 . 3. God blasphemed, himself reviled, and his people solicited to revolt, in a virulent speech made by Rabshakeh, 2 Kings 18:18 - 37 . But how well it ended, and how much to the honour and comfort of our great reformer, we shall find in the next chapter.
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND BOOK OF
K I N G S.
This second book of the Kings (which the LXX., numbering from Samuel, called the fourth ) is a continuation of the former book; and, some think, might better have been made to begin with the 1 Kings 22:51 - 53 , where the reign of Ahaziah begins. The former book had an illustrious beginning, in the glories of the kingdom of Israel, when it was entire; this has a melancholy conclusion, in the desolations of the kingdoms of Israel first, and then of Judah, after they had been long broken into two: for a kingdom divided against itself cometh to destruction. But, as Elijah's mighty works were very much the glory of the former book, towards the latter end of it, so were Elisha's the glory of this, towards the beginning of it. These prophets out-shone their princes; and therefore, as far as they go, the history shall be accounted for in them. Here is, I. Elijah fetching fire from heaven and ascending in fire to heaven, 2 Kings 1:1 - 22 Kings 1:1 - 2 II. Elisha working many miracles, both for prince and people, Israelites and foreigners, 2 Kings 3:1 - 72 Kings 3:1 - 7 III. Hazael and Jehu anointed, the former for the correction of Israel, the latter for the destruction of the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, 2 Kings 8:1 - 102 Kings 8:1 - 10 IV. The reign of several of the kings, both of Judah and Israel, 2 Kings 11:1 - 162 Kings 11:1 - 16 V. The captivity of the ten tribes, 2 Kings 17:1 - 412 Kings 17:1 - 41 VI. The good and glorious reign of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:1 - 202 Kings 18:1 - 20 VII. Manassah's wicked reign, and Josiah's good one, 2 Kings 21:1 - 232 Kings 21:1 - 23 VIII. The destruction of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon, 2 Kings 24:1 - 252 Kings 24:1 - 25 This history, in the several passages of it, confirms that observation of Solomon, That righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is the reproach of any people.
