mhcc - 2Kings:24-25

mhcc@2Kings:24:1-7 @ Verse 1-7 - If Jehoiakim had served the Lord, he had not been servant to Nebuchadnezzar. If he had been content with his servitude, and true to his word, his condition had been no worse; but, rebelling against Babylon, he plunged himself into more trouble. See what need nations have to lament the sins of their fathers, lest they smart for them. Threatenings will be fulfilled as certainly as promises, if the sinner's repentance prevent not.

mhcc@2Kings:24:8-20 @ Verse 8-20 - Jehoiachin reigned but three months, yet long enough to show that he justly smarted for his fathers' sins, for he trod in their steps. His uncle was intrusted with the government. This Zedekiah was the last of the kings of Judah. Though the judgments of God upon the three kings before him might have warned him, he did that which was evil, like them. When those intrusted with the counsels of a nation act unwisely, and against their true interest, we ought to notice the displeasure of God in it. It is for the sins of a people that God hides from them the things that belong to the public peace. And in fulfilling the secret purposes of his justice, the Lord needs only leave men to the blindness of their own minds, or to the lusts of their own hearts. The gradual approach of Divine judgments affords sinners space for repentance, and believers leisure to prepare for meeting the calamity, while it shows the obstinacy of those who will not forsake their sins. Henry'_2__25 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@2Kings:25 @ Henry'_2__24 ****** 2nd Kings 25 ****** *** Outline of 2nd Kings 25 *** Jerusalem besieged, Zedekiah taken. (_1-7.) The temple burnt, The people carried into captivity. (_8-21.) The rest of the Jews flee into Egypt, Evil-merodach relieves the captivity of Jehoiachin. (_22-30.) *** Commentary ***

mhcc@2Kings:25:1-7 @ Verse 1-7 - Jerusalem was so fortified, that it could not be taken till famine rendered the besieged unable to resist. In the prophecy and Lamentations of Jeremiah, we find more of this event; here it suffices to say, that the impiety and misery of the besieged were very great. At length the city was taken by storm. The king, his family, and his great men escaped in the night, by secret passages. But those deceive themselves who think to escape God's judgments, as much as those who think to brave them. By what befell Zedekiah, two prophecies, which seemed to contradict each other, were both fulfilled. Jeremiah prophesied that Zedekiah should be brought to Babylon, Jeremiah strkjv@32:5. strkjv@34:3. Ezekiel, that he should not see Babylon, Ezekiel strkjv@12:13. He was brought thither, but his eyes being put out, he did not see it.

mhcc@2Kings:25:8-21 @ Verse 8-21 - The city and temple were burnt, and, it is probable, the ark in it. By this, God showed how little he cares for the outward pomp of his worship, when the life and power of religion are neglected. The walls of Jerusalem were thrown down, and the people carried captive to Babylon. The vessels of the temple were carried away. When the things signified were sinned away, what should the signs stand there for? It was righteous with God to deprive those of the benefit of his worship, who had preferred false worships before it; those that would have many altars, now shall have none. As the Lord spared not the angels that sinned, as he doomed the whole race of fallen men to the grave, and all unbelievers to hell, and as he spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, we need not wonder at any miseries he may bring upon guilty nations, churches, or persons.

mhcc@2Kings:25:22-30 @ Verse 22-30 - The king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah to be the governor and protector of the Jews left their land. But the things of their peace were so hidden from their eyes, that they knew not when they were well off. Ishmael basely slew him and all his friends, and, against the counsel of Jeremiah, the rest went to Egypt. Thus was a full end made of them by their own folly and disobedience; see Jeremiah chap. 40 to 45. Jehoiachin was released out of prison, where he had been kept 37 years. Let none say that they shall never see good again, because they have long seen little but evil: the most miserable know not what turn Providence may yet give to their affairs, nor what comforts they are reserved for, according to the days wherein they have been afflicted. Even in this world the Saviour brings a release from bondage to the distressed sinner who seeks him, bestowing foretastes of the pleasures which are at his right hand for evermore. Sin alone can hurt us; Jesus alone can do good to sinners. Henry'_1__1 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@Ezra:4:1-5 @ Verse 1-5 - Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, 2Kings 17. It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.

mhcc@Isaiah:36 @ ****** Isaiah 36 ****** *** Outline of Isaiah 36 *** See 2Kings strkjv@18:17-37,. and the commentary thereon. __Outline Henry'__37 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Isaiah:37 @ ****** Isaiah 37 ****** *** Outline of Isaiah 37 *** This chapter is the same as 2Kings 19. __Outline Henry'__38 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Isaiah:38:1-8 @ Verse 1-8 - When we pray in our sickness, though God send not to us such an answer as he here sent to Hezekiah, yet, if by his Spirit he bids us be of good cheer, assures us that our sins are forgiven, and that, whether we live or die, we shall be his, we do not pray in vain. See 2Kings strkjv@20:1-11.

mhcc@Isaiah:39 @ ****** Isaiah 39 ****** *** Outline of Isaiah 39 *** This chapter is the same as 2Kings strkjv@20:12-19. __Outline Henry'__40 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Jeremiah:35:1-11 @ Verse 1-11 - Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly 300 years before, 2Kings strkjv@10:15. Jonadab charged his posterity not to drink wine. He also appointed them to dwell in tents, or movable dwelling: this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this world. To keep low, would be the way to continue long in the land where they were strangers. Humility and contentment are always the best policy, and men's surest protection. Also, that they might not run into unlawful pleasures, they were to deny themselves even lawful delights. The consideration that we are strangers and pilgrims should oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts. Let them have little to lose, and then losing times would be the less dreadful: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they might with less pain be stript of it. Those are in the best frame to meet sufferings who live a life of self-denial, and who despise the vanities of the world. Jonadab's posterity observed these rules strictly, only using proper means for their safety in a time of general suffering.

mhcc@Jeremiah:52:31-34 @ Verse 31-34 - See this history of king Jehoiachin in 2Kings strkjv@25:27-30. Those under oppression will find it is not in vain for them to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. Our times are in God's hand, for the hearts of all we have to deal with are so. May we be enabled, more and more, to rest on the Rock of Ages, and to look forward with holy faith to that hour, when the Lord will bring again Zion, and overthrow all the enemies of the church. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Hosea:4:1-5 @ Verse 1-5 - Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was full of murders, 2Kings strkjv@21:16. Therefore calamities were near, which would desolate the country. Our sins, as separate persons, as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to have a controversy with us; let us submit and humble ourselves before Him, that he may not go on to destroy.

mhcc@Jonah:1 @ ****** Jonah 1 ****** *** General Notes on the Book of Jonah *** Jonah was a native of Galilee, 2Kings strkjv@14:25. His miraculous deliverance from out of the fish, rendered him a type of our blessed Lord, who mentions it, so as to show the certain truth of the narrative. All that was done was easy to the almighty power of the Author and Sustainer of life. This book shows us, by the example of the Ninevites, how great are the Divine forbearance and long-suffering towards sinners. It shows a most striking contrast between the goodness and mercy of God, and the rebellion, impatience, and peevishness of his servant; and it will be best understood by those who are most acquainted with their own hearts. *** Outline of Jonah 1 *** Jonah, sent to Nineveh, flees to Tarshish. (_1-3.) He is stayed by a tempest. (_4-7.) His discourse with the mariners. (_8-12.) He is cast into the sea, and miraculously preserved. (_13-17.) *** Commentary ***