11 Moreover he made H6213 high places H1116 in the mountains H2022 of Judah, H3063 and caused the inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem H3389 to commit fornication, H2181 and compelled H5080 Judah H3063 thereto.
And G2532 there came G2064 one G1520 of G1537 the seven G2033 angels G32 which G3588 had G2192 the seven G2033 vials, G5357 and G2532 talked G2980 with G3326 me, G1700 saying G3004 unto me, G3427 Come hither; G1204 I will shew G1166 unto thee G4671 the judgment G2917 of the great G3173 whore G4204 that sitteth G2521 upon G1909 many G4183 waters: G5204 With G3326 whom G3739 the kings G935 of the earth G1093 have committed fornication, G4203 and G2532 the inhabitants G2730 of the earth G1093 have been made drunk G3184 with G1537 the wine G3631 of her G846 fornication. G4202 So G2532 he carried G667 me G3165 away G667 in G1722 the spirit G4151 into G1519 the wilderness: G2048 and G2532 I saw G1492 a woman G1135 sit G2521 upon G1909 a scarlet coloured G2847 beast, G2342 full of G1073 names G3686 of blasphemy, G988 having G2192 seven G2033 heads G2776 and G2532 ten G1176 horns. G2768 And G2532 the woman G1135 was G2258 arrayed G4016 in purple G4209 and G2532 scarlet colour, G2847 and G2532 decked G5558 with gold G5557 and G2532 precious G5093 stones G3037 and G2532 pearls, G3135 having G2192 a golden G5552 cup G4221 in G1722 her G846 hand G5495 full of G1073 abominations G946 and G2532 filthiness G168 of her G846 fornication: G4202 And G2532 upon G1909 her G846 forehead G3359 was a name G3686 written, G1125 MYSTERY, G3466 BABYLON G897 THE GREAT, G3173 THE MOTHER G3384 OF HARLOTS G4204 AND G2532 ABOMINATIONS G946 OF THE EARTH. G1093 And G2532 I saw G1492 the woman G1135 drunken G3184 with G1537 the blood G129 of the saints, G40 and G2532 with G1537 the blood G129 of the martyrs G3144 of Jesus: G2424 and G2532 when I saw G1492 her, G846 I wondered G2296 with great G3173 admiration. G2295
And G2532 he G846 had power G1325 to give G1325 life G4151 unto the image G1504 of the beast, G2342 that G2443 the image G1504 of the beast G2342 should G2980 both G2532 speak, G2980 and G2532 cause G4160 that as many as G3745 G302 would G4352 not G3361 worship G4352 the image G1504 of the beast G2342 should be killed. G2443 G615 And G2532 he causeth G4160 all, G3956 both small G3398 and G2532 great, G3173 G2532 rich G4145 and G2532 poor, G4434 G2532 free G1658 and G2532 bond, G1401 to G2443 G846 receive G1325 a mark G5480 in G1909 their G846 right hand, G1188 G5495 or G2228 in G1909 their G846 foreheads: G3359 And G2532 that no G3363 man G5100 might G1410 buy G59 or G2228 sell, G4453 save he G1508 that had G2192 the mark, G5480 or G2228 the name G3686 of the beast, G2342 or G2228 the number G706 of his G846 name. G3686
Notwithstanding G235 I have G2192 a few things G3641 against G2596 thee, G4675 because G3754 thou sufferest G1439 that woman G1135 Jezebel, G2403 which G3588 calleth G3004 herself G1438 a prophetess, G4398 to teach G1321 and G2532 to seduce G4105 my G1699 servants G1401 to commit fornication, G4203 and G2532 to eat G5315 things sacrificed unto idols. G1494 And G2532 I gave G1325 her G846 space G5550 to G2443 repent G3340 of G1537 her G846 fornication; G4202 and G2532 she repented G3340 not. G3756 Behold, G2400 I G1473 will cast G906 her G846 into G1519 a bed, G2825 and G2532 them that commit adultery G3431 with G3326 her G846 into G1519 great G3173 tribulation, G2347 except G3362 they repent G3340 of G1537 their G846 deeds. G2041
That at what time H5732 ye hear H8086 the sound H7032 of the cornet, H7162 flute, H4953 harp, H7030 H7030 sackbut, H5443 psaltery, H6460 dulcimer, H5481 and all H3606 kinds H2178 of musick, H2170 ye fall down H5308 and worship H5457 the golden H1722 image H6755 that Nebuchadnezzar H5020 the king H4430 hath set up: H6966 And whoso H4479 falleth H5308 not H3809 down H5308 and worshippeth H5457 shall the same hour H8160 be cast H7412 into the midst H1459 of a burning H3345 fiery H5135 furnace. H861
Ye shall utterly H6 destroy H6 all the places, H4725 wherein the nations H1471 which H834 ye shall possess H3423 served H5647 their gods, H430 upon the high H7311 mountains, H2022 and upon the hills, H1389 and under every green H7488 tree: H6086 And ye shall overthrow H5422 their altars, H4196 and break H7665 their pillars, H4676 and burn H8313 their groves H842 with fire; H784 and ye shall hew down H1438 the graven images H6456 of their gods, H430 and destroy H6 the names H8034 of them out of that place. H4725 Ye shall not do so H6213 unto the LORD H3068 your God. H430
But thou didst trust H982 in thine own beauty, H3308 and playedst the harlot H2181 because of thy renown, H8034 and pouredst out H8210 thy fornications H8457 on every one that passed by; H5674 his it was. And of thy garments H899 thou didst take, H3947 and deckedst H6213 thy high places H1116 with divers colours, H2921 and playedst the harlot H2181 thereupon: the like things shall not come, H935 neither shall it be so. Thou hast also taken H3947 thy fair H8597 jewels H3627 of my gold H2091 and of my silver, H3701 which I had given H5414 thee, and madest H6213 to thyself images H6754 of men, H2145 and didst commit whoredom H2181 with them, And tookest H3947 thy broidered H7553 garments, H899 and coveredst H3680 them: and thou hast set H5414 mine oil H8081 and mine incense H7004 before H6440 them. My meat H3899 also which I gave H5414 thee, fine flour, H5560 and oil, H8081 and honey, H1706 wherewith I fed H398 thee, thou hast even set H5414 it before H6440 them for a sweet H5207 savour: H7381 and thus it was, saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD. H3069 Moreover thou hast taken H3947 thy sons H1121 and thy daughters, H1323 whom thou hast borne H3205 unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed H2076 unto them to be devoured. H398 Is this of thy whoredoms H8457 a small matter, H4592 That thou hast slain H7819 my children, H1121 and delivered H5414 them to cause them to pass through H5674 the fire for them? And in all thine abominations H8441 and thy whoredoms H8457 thou hast not remembered H2142 the days H3117 of thy youth, H5271 when thou wast naked H5903 and bare, H6181 and wast polluted H947 in thy blood. H1818 And it came to pass after H310 all thy wickedness, H7451 (woe, H188 woe H188 unto thee! saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD;) H3069 That thou hast also built H1129 unto thee an eminent place, H1354 and hast made H6213 thee an high place H7413 in every street. H7339 Thou hast built H1129 thy high place H7413 at every head H7218 of the way, H1870 and hast made thy beauty H3308 to be abhorred, H8581 and hast opened H6589 thy feet H7272 to every one that passed by, H5674 and multiplied H7235 thy whoredoms. H8457 Thou hast also committed fornication H2181 with the Egyptians H1121 H4714 thy neighbours, H7934 great H1432 of flesh; H1320 and hast increased H7235 thy whoredoms, H8457 to provoke me to anger. H3707 Behold, therefore I have stretched out H5186 my hand H3027 over thee, and have diminished H1639 thine ordinary H2706 food, and delivered H5414 thee unto the will H5315 of them that hate H8130 thee, the daughters H1323 of the Philistines, H6430 which are ashamed H3637 of thy lewd H2154 way. H1870 Thou hast played the whore H2181 also with the Assyrians, H1121 H804 because H1115 thou wast unsatiable; H7646 yea, thou hast played the harlot H2181 with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied. H7654 Thou hast moreover multiplied H7235 thy fornication H8457 in the land H776 of Canaan H3667 unto Chaldea; H3778 and yet thou wast not satisfied H7646 herewith. H2063 How weak H535 is thine heart, H3826 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 seeing thou doest H6213 all these things, the work H4639 of an imperious H7986 whorish H2181 woman; H802 In that thou buildest H1129 thine eminent place H1354 in the head H7218 of every way, H1870 and makest H6213 thine high place H7413 in every street; H7339 and hast not been as an harlot, H2181 in that thou scornest H7046 hire; H868 But as a wife H802 that committeth adultery, H5003 which taketh H3947 strangers H2114 instead of her husband! H376 They give H5414 gifts H5078 to all whores: H2181 but thou givest H5414 thy gifts H5083 to all thy lovers, H157 and hirest H7809 them, that they may come H935 unto thee on every side H5439 for thy whoredom. H8457 And the contrary H2016 is in thee from other women H802 in thy whoredoms, H8457 whereas none followeth H310 thee to commit whoredoms: H2181 and in that thou givest H5414 a reward, H868 and no reward H868 is given H5414 unto thee, therefore thou art H1961 contrary. H2016 Wherefore, O harlot, H2181 hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD: H3068 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Because thy filthiness H5178 was poured out, H8210 and thy nakedness H6172 discovered H1540 through thy whoredoms H8457 with thy lovers, H157 and with all the idols H1544 of thy abominations, H8441 and by the blood H1818 of thy children, H1121 which thou didst give H5414 unto them; Behold, therefore I will gather H6908 all thy lovers, H157 with whom thou hast taken pleasure, H6149 and all them that thou hast loved, H157 with all them that thou hast hated; H8130 I will even gather H6908 them round about H5439 against thee, and will discover H1540 thy nakedness H6172 unto them, that they may see H7200 all thy nakedness. H6172 And I will judge H8199 thee, as women that break wedlock H5003 and shed H8210 blood H1818 are judged; H4941 and I will give H5414 thee blood H1818 in fury H2534 and jealousy. H7068 And I will also give H5414 thee into their hand, H3027 and they shall throw down H2040 thine eminent place, H1354 and shall break down H5422 thy high places: H7413 they shall strip H6584 thee also of thy clothes, H899 and shall take H3947 thy fair H8597 jewels, H3627 and leave H3240 thee naked H5903 and bare. H6181 They shall also bring up H5927 a company H6951 against thee, and they shall stone H7275 thee with stones, H68 and thrust thee through H1333 with their swords. H2719 And they shall burn H8313 thine houses H1004 with fire, H784 and execute H6213 judgments H8201 upon thee in the sight H5869 of many H7227 women: H802 and I will cause thee to cease H7673 from playing the harlot, H2181 and thou also shalt give H5414 no hire H868 any more. So will I make my fury H2534 toward thee to rest, H5117 and my jealousy H7068 shall depart H5493 from thee, and I will be quiet, H8252 and will be no more angry. H3707 Because thou hast not remembered H2142 the days H3117 of thy youth, H5271 but hast fretted H7264 me in all these things; behold, H1887 therefore I also will recompense H5414 thy way H1870 upon thine head, H7218 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD: H3069 and thou shalt not commit H6213 this lewdness H2154 above all thine abominations. H8441 Behold, every one that useth proverbs H4911 shall use this proverb H4911 against thee, saying, H559 As is the mother, H517 so is her daughter. H1323 Thou art thy mother's H517 daughter, H1323 that lotheth H1602 her husband H376 and her children; H1121 and thou art the sister H269 of thy sisters, H269 which lothed H1602 their husbands H582 and their children: H1121 your mother H517 was an Hittite, H2850 and your father H1 an Amorite. H567 And thine elder H1419 sister H269 is Samaria, H8111 she and her daughters H1323 that dwell H3427 at thy left hand: H8040 and thy younger H6996 sister, H269 that dwelleth H3427 at thy right hand, H3225 is Sodom H5467 and her daughters. H1323 Yet hast thou not walked H1980 after their ways, H1870 nor done H6213 after their abominations: H8441 but, as if that were a very H6985 little H4592 H6962 thing, thou wast corrupted H7843 more than they H2004 in all thy ways. H1870 As I live, H2416 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 Sodom H5467 thy sister H269 hath not done, H6213 she nor her daughters, H1323 as thou hast done, H6213 thou and thy daughters. H1323 Behold, this was the iniquity H5771 of thy sister H269 Sodom, H5467 pride, H1347 fulness H7653 of bread, H3899 and abundance H7962 of idleness H8252 was in her and in her daughters, H1323 neither did she strengthen H2388 the hand H3027 of the poor H6041 and needy. H34 And they were haughty, H1361 and committed H6213 abomination H8441 before H6440 me: therefore I took them away H5493 as I saw H7200 good. Neither hath Samaria H8111 committed H2398 half H2677 of thy sins; H2403 but thou hast multiplied H7235 thine abominations H8441 more than they, H2007 and hast justified H6663 thy sisters H269 in all thine abominations H8441 which thou hast done. H6213 Thou also, which hast judged H6419 thy sisters, H269 bear H5375 thine own shame H3639 for thy sins H2403 that thou hast committed more abominable H8581 than they: H2004 they are more righteous H6663 than thou: yea, be thou confounded H954 also, and bear H5375 thy shame, H3639 in that thou hast justified H6663 thy sisters. H269 When I shall bring again H7725 their captivity, H7622 H7622 the captivity H7622 H7622 of Sodom H5467 and her daughters, H1323 and the captivity H7622 H7622 of Samaria H8111 and her daughters, H1323 then will I bring again the captivity H7622 H7622 of thy captives H7622 in the midst H8432 of them: That thou mayest bear H5375 thine own shame, H3639 and mayest be confounded H3637 in all that thou hast done, H6213 in that thou art a comfort H5162 unto them. When thy sisters, H269 Sodom H5467 and her daughters, H1323 shall return H7725 to their former estate, H6927 and Samaria H8111 and her daughters H1323 shall return H7725 to their former estate, H6927 then thou and thy daughters H1323 shall return H7725 to your former estate. H6927 For thy sister H269 Sodom H5467 was not mentioned H8052 by thy mouth H6310 in the day H3117 of thy pride, H1347 Before thy wickedness H7451 was discovered, H1540 as at the time H6256 of thy reproach H2781 of the daughters H1323 of Syria, H758 and all that are round about H5439 her, the daughters H1323 of the Philistines, H6430 which despise H7590 thee round about. H5439 Thou hast borne H5375 thy lewdness H2154 and thine abominations, H8441 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 For thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 I will even deal H6213 with thee as thou hast done, H6213 which hast despised H959 the oath H423 in breaking H6565 the covenant. H1285 Nevertheless I will remember H2142 my covenant H1285 with thee in the days H3117 of thy youth, H5271 and I will establish H6965 unto thee an everlasting H5769 covenant. H1285 Then thou shalt remember H2142 thy ways, H1870 and be ashamed, H3637 when thou shalt receive H3947 thy sisters, H269 thine elder H1419 and thy younger: H6996 and I will give H5414 them unto thee for daughters, H1323 but not by thy covenant. H1285 And I will establish H6965 my covenant H1285 with thee; and thou shalt know H3045 that I am the LORD: H3068 That thou mayest remember, H2142 and be confounded, H954 and never open H6610 thy mouth H6310 any more because H6440 of thy shame, H3639 when I am pacified H3722 toward thee for all that thou hast done, H6213 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD. H3069
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 21 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 21
This chapter relates Jehoram's succession to the throne of Judah, and the murders and idolatries committed by him, 2 Chronicles 21:1, the revolt of the Edomites from him, and some of his own people, 2 Chronicles 21:8, a writing of Elijah to him, threatening a great plague to him and his family, 2 Chronicles 21:12, the raising up of several enemies against him, 2 Chronicles 21:16, his sickness, death, and burial, 2 Chronicles 21:18.
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers,.... See Gill on 1 Kings 22:50.
And he had brethren, the sons of Jehoshaphat,.... That is, Jehoram had, who succeeded him: their names follow:
Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah; two of them were of the same name; though it may be observed, that in the Hebrew text they are somewhat distinguished, the latter is called Azariah; Jehiel is said, by the JewsF24T. Hieros. Sanhedrin, fol. 29. 4. , to be the same with Hiel that rebuilt Jericho; indeed it was rebuilt in the times of Jehoshaphat, and was a city of the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:21 which was under his jurisdiction; but it can never be thought that he would ever suffer a son of his to rebuild it; besides, he is expressly said to be a Bethelite, 1 Kings 16:34,
all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel; which generally, since the division of the kingdom, designs the ten tribes, but cannot be the meaning here, because Jehoshaphat was only king of two tribes, Judah and Benjamin; they were tribes of Israel indeed, and so he was king of a part of Israel; and besides, many out of the ten tribes came and settled in his kingdom, and were under his government; though some think he is so called, because he concerned himself so much for the kingdom of Israel, and more than for his own; but the Vulgate Latin, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, all read king of Judah; wherefore some are of opinion that Israel is a mistake of the transcriber; but this need not be supposed, since he was of right king of Israel, and was in fact king of two tribes that belonged to Israel.
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things,.... As jewels and precious stones; or precious garments, as the Targum, in like manner as Abraham gave to his sons, when he sent them from Isaac:
with fenced cities in Judah; not as their own property, but he appointed them governors in them, to defend them against an enemy, and as a mark of honour to them:
but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn; strictly observing the law in Deuteronomy 21:16, which was not always done; though it was reckoned by the Heathens contrary to the law of nations to give the kingdom to the youngerF25Justin. e Trogo, l. 16. c. 2. .
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father,.... Succeeded him in it, and reigned alone, for he had reigned with his father some years before his death; see Gill on 2 Kings 8:16,
he strengthened himself; in the kingdom, by some means or another closely attaching the greater part of the princes, and people of the land, unto him, when he thought himself well settled and established on the throne; though some understand it of making strong, or hardening his heart to do what is next mentioned:
and slew all his brethren with the sword; either to get their riches into his hands, or lest, being religious princes, they should oppose his restoring idolatry, and for that reason the people should depose him, and set up one of them; and therefore he dispatched them out of the way to secure himself, and carry his point:
and divers also of the princes of Israel; such who had removed out of the ten tribes, for the sake of religion, and therefore would never agree to the introduction of idolatry among them, for which reason Jehoram slew them; and perhaps they might express their disapprobation and abhorrence of his murder of his brethren.
Jehoram was thirty two years old,.... Of these verses; see Gill on 2 Kings 8:17, 2 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 8:19, 2 Kings 8:20, 2 Kings 8:21, 2 Kings 8:22
Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah,.... Temples and altars for idols, which, being built on mountains, had the name of high places; and these Jehoram made or rebuilt were those which had been pulled down by Asa and Jehoshaphat:
and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication; that is, idolatry, drawing them by his own example to worship Baal, for he did what Ahab and his family did, 2 Chronicles 21:6, and compelled Judah thereto; the inhabitants of Jerusalem falling into the same idolatrous practice with him, he forced the inhabitants of the cities, and in the country, to do the same, who it seems were not so willing and ready to comply therewith.
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet,.... Not what was written by him after his ascension to heaven, and from thence came to Jehoram, even seven years after that, as say some Jewish writersF26Seder Olam Rabba, c. 17. Ganz. Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 12. 1. A. M. 3050. ; nor was it a writing from another person of the same name in those times, since of such an one we nowhere read; nor from Elisha bearing the name of Elijah, having a double portion of his spirit on him, since he is never so called; but this was a writing of Elijah's before his ascension, who, foreseeing by a spirit of prophecy what Jehoram would be guilty of, wrote this, and gave it to one of the prophets, as Kimchi suggests, and most probably to Elisha, to communicate it to him at a proper time; and who might, as the above writer intimates, think it came immediately from heaven:
saying, thus saith the Lord God of David thy father; and from whose God he had departed, and to which ancestor of his he was so much unlike:
because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah; neither trod in the steps of his father nor grandfather.
And hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel,.... Worshipping the calves, and even Baal, with other idols, as they did:
and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab; meaning spiritual whoredoms or idolatries:
and hast also slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself; more religious, more humane, more prudent, and fitter for government.
Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people,.... They going into the same idolatry with himself willingly, at least great part of them, and therefore deserved to be smitten, and which would be a punishment to him:
and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods; which should be carried captive, as the event shows.
And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels,.... Which was a just retaliation to him, for having no bowels of compassion on his brethren whom he slew:
until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day; that continuing day after day, and even year after year, the space of two years, as appears from 2 Chronicles 21:19.
Moreover, the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines,.... Which had been depressed in the times of Jehoshaphat, to whom they brought their presents and tribute willingly, 2 Chronicles 17:11.
and of the Arabians that were near the Ethiopians; not the Ethiopians of Africa, as the Targum, for the Arabians were not near them, but the Chusaean Arabs or Midianites, see Numbers 12:1. The Targum is, the Word of the Lord did this.
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, &c. l In an hostile manner:
and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, his gold, silver, and precious things, the rich furniture of his palace; no mention is made of any other plunder in the city, or the country; so that they seem to have had their principal eye to the king's palace, and the spoil of that; being so directed by the providence of God, who had stirred them up to do this as a punishment of Jehoram:
and his sons also, and his wives; these they also carried away, all but Athaliah, who hid herself; he through his disease not being able to make any opposition, or to get any forces together to withstand them:
so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons; the same that is called Ahaziah and Azariah, 2 Chronicles 22:1 so the prophecy in 2 Chronicles 21:14 was fulfilled.
After all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. What it was is not agreed upon; some take it be an "hernia", or rupture; others, the falling of the "anus", or a fistula in it; others, the colic, or iliac passion; but generally it is thought to be a dysentery, or bloody flux; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord broke him.'
And it came to pass that in process of time, after the end of two years,.... So long he was afflicted and tortured with the above disease:
his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness; either in like manner as Judas's did, Acts 1:18 or as in the manner the bowels of Arius are said to do, while sitting on the seat of the vaultF1Sozomen. Eccl. Hist. l. 2. c. 29, 30. ; or perhaps only what was contained in the bowels is meant, if it was the colic:
so he died of sore diseases; he seems to have had a complication of them, and these very painful and distressing:
and the people made no burning for him, like the burnings of his fathers; as they did for his grandfather Asa, 2 Chronicles 16:14, they did not burn spices or odoriferous wood, as the Targum; though his body, because of the stench of it, needed it, as Jarchi observes.
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years,.... See 2 Kings 8:17,
and departed without being desired; to live, either by himself, being weary of life through the pain he endured; or by his people, he being so wicked a prince, and so ill beloved by them, that nobody wished to have him live, but were glad to hear of his death; the meaning is, he died unlamented; his death is expressed by a departing out of this world into another, a phrase more than once used for death in the New Testament, see John 13:1,
howbeit, they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings; they showed him some respect for the sake of his father, by burying him in the city of David, but denied him the honour of lying in the royal sepulchres, see 2 Kings 8:24.