XXIX.

HEZEKIAH (chaps, 29-32.; 2 Kings 18-20); Chap. 29.

LENGTH AND SPIRIT OF THE REIGN. THE SOLEMN PURGATION AND HALLOWING OF THE TEMPLE.

(1) Hezekiah.--Heb., Y?hizqiy?hu, as if "Strong is Iahu." 2 Kings writes Hizkiy?h, "My strength is Iah;" Isaiah 27, sqq., Hizkiy?hu. The annals of Sennacherib present the form Hazakiyahu.

Abijan.--2 Kings has the shortened form Abi. (This verse closely corresponds with 2Kings 18:2.)

Verse 1. - Hezekiah. The Ezekias (as by margin) of Matthew 1:9. Five and twenty years old. We have been told (2 Chronicles 28:1) that Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years. So that, if these numbers be correct, and the numbers of our verse correct, Hezekiah must have been born when his father was only eleven years old. Of which all that can be said is, with Keil, that such a thing was not impossible and not unknown. It is far more probable, however, that one of the determining figures is wrong, but we have nothing to guide us to say which. Abijah. The parallel spells this name "Abi," omitting the final he, and dagesh in yod. Zechariah. This may, perhaps, have been the Zechariah whose name accompanies the mention of the name of "Uriah the priest" in Isaiah 8:2, where we may be surprised to find Uriah called a "faithful witness," when we remember his associations with Ahaz, as told in our foregoing chapter. Some refer our Zechariah, however, to him of 2 Chronicles 26:5.

29:1-19 When Hezekiah came to the crown, he applied at once to work reform. Those who begin with God, begin at the right end of their work, and it will prosper accordingly. Those that turn their backs upon God's ordinances, may truly be said to forsake God himself. There are still such neglects, if the word be not duly read and opened, for that was signified by the lighting the lamps, and also if prayers and praise be not offered up, for that was signified by the burning incense. Neglect of God's worship was the cause of the calamities they had lain under. The Lord alone can prepare the heart of man for vital godliness: when much good is done in a little time, the glory must be ascribed to him; and all who love him or the souls of men, will rejoice therein. Let those that do good work, learn to do it well.Hezekiah began to reign,.... Of these two verses; see Gill on 2 Kings 18:2; see Gill on 2 Kings 18:3.