(11) Even to . . . builders.--And they gave it to the craftsmen and to the builders.

For couplings.--For the couplings or girders; an explanation added by the chronicler.

And to floor . . . destroyed.--Kings, "to repair the house." The reference to the defacement of the Temple buildings by idolatrous kings may be compared with the similar notice concerning Athaliah's sons, 2Chronicles 24:7, and Ahaz, 2Chronicles 28:24. Perhaps, however, the expression "destroyed" does not mean more than "allowed to go to ruin."

To floor.--To rafter, or joist. (See margin.)

The houses.--The chambers.

Verse 11. - The exact work done we are unable to follow with precision. The parallel describes it, in more general terms, as "repairing the breaches." The repairs here spoken of, however, betoken, to say the least the rough usage, as well as "negligence," of kings like Manasseh and Amen, and suggest a further question as to the nature of those heathen and idolatrous practices, which cost so much to the very structure of temple and houses, i.e. probably the contiguous chambers of the main building (1 Kings 6:5), the exact style of which, however, is very doubtful.

34:1-33 Josiah's good reign in Judah. - As the years of infancy cannot be useful to our fellow-creatures, our earliest youth should be dedicated to God, that we may not waste any of the remaining short space of life. Happy and wise are those who seek the Lord and prepare for usefulness at an early age, when others are pursuing sinful pleasures, contracting bad habits, and forming ruinous connexions. Who can express the anguish prevented by early piety, and its blessed effects? Diligent self-examination and watchfulness will convince us of the deceitfulness and wickedness of our own hearts, and the sinfulness of our lives. We are here encouraged to humble ourselves before God, and to seek unto him, as Josiah did. And believers are here taught, not to fear death, but to welcome it, when it takes them away from the evil to come. Nothing hastens the ruin of a people, nor ripens them for it, more than their disregard of the attempts made for their reformation. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. The current and tide of affections only turns at the command of Him who raises up those that are dead in trespasses and sins. We behold peculiar loveliness, in the grace the Lord bestows on those, who in tender years seek to know and to love the Saviour. Hath Jesus, the Day-spring from on high, visited you? Can you trace your knowledge of this light and life of man, like Josiah, from your youth? Oh the unspeakable happiness of becoming acquainted with Jesus from our earliest years!Even to the artificers and builders gave they it,.... To the masons and carpenters:

to buy hewn stone; to put in the room of that which was decayed or fallen down:

and timber for couplings; of boards, beams, and rafters:

and to floor the houses; the chambers, the apartments in the temple, which belonged to the priests and Levites:

which the kings of Judah had destroyed; the idolatrous ones, who had let them go to decay and ruin, taking no care of them.