HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

2 PARALIPOMENON 15

CHAPTER XV.

Ver. 1. Azarias is called Oded in Heb. v. 8. C. --- But he was his son. H. --- There was a high priest of the name of Azarias, about the same time. M.

Ver. 2. With him. He will continue thus to protect you, if you prove faithful. The Pelagians hence inferred, that man was to prepare his own heart for the reception of grace. But the text only speaks of external aid; and though it were understood of internal grace, (C.) we may merit an increase of grace, by a faithful co-operation (W.) with that which God has presented us. E. C.

Ver. 3. Shall pass, is not found in Heb. &c. and many supply, "had been." D. --- The Jews, and some interpreters, would explain all this of what had passed already; (C.) and this is the idea of the Prot. "Now, for a long season, Israel hath been without," &c. H. --- But the conclusion convinces us that this is a prediction; (v. 7) take courage. You shall not be involved in these miseries. Some explain the whole of the kingdom of Israel, which, from its commencement till after its final ruin, persevered in its rebellion against the true God. Sanctius. --- Others think the kingdom of Juda was also concerned, and its state of captivity at Babylon foretold. Lyran. --- But its full completion includes the latter ages, particularly after the murder of the Messias, (T.) and seems of the same nature as the prophecy of Osee, (iii. 4.) as our Saviour himself insinuates. Mat. xxiv. 6. 9. 13. C.

Ver. 4. And when. Sept. "and he shall convert them to the Lord,...and shall be found by them." H. --- This will be verified in the last days. Rom. xi. 26. M.

Ver. 5. Cometh in, in public or private transactions. See Lev. xxvi. 36.

Ver. 6. Nation, both in the times of Baasa, who fought against Asa, and afterwards. For the same prophecy may be literally explained of more thing than one. M. --- Distress. Our Saviour says, Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, &c. But he that shall persevere to the end, shall be saved.

Ver. 8. Azarias, the son, is omitted in Heb. and the Vat. Sept. which reads Adad, (H.) but it is supplied in the other editions, and in the Syriac, (C.) as v. 1. H. --- Taken: we do not read on what occasion. C. xvii. 2. His father had seized upon Bethel, &c. C. xiii. 19. C. --- Yet Asa waged war himself with the king of Israel. --- Dedicated. Sept. "renewed," as the altar had been neglected, or injured by the continual fire; (M.) or this was the extraordinary (H.) altar, which Solomon had used at the dedication of the temple. The multitude of Asa's victims required more than one, v. 11. It is not probable that God's worship had been neglected till the 15th year of this pious king, (v. 9) since even his wicked father was punctual in this respect. C. xiii. 11. Before, at the higher end of the priests' court, to the east of the altar of holocausts. C.

Ver. 9. Simeon. This tribe was intimately connected with that of Juda, though many had revolted. Some afterwards returned, as they did from other parts, actuated either by motives of interest or of religion. C. xxxiv. 6. 3 K. xi. 13. C.

Ver. 10. Month, Sivan, or May, when the feast of Pentecost occurs. M.

Ver. 11. Spoils, which they had sold, and now testified their gratitude. T. --- Rams. Prot. "sheep."

Ver. 12. He went. Heb. and Sept. "They proceeded, according to the covenant, to seek." H. --- They swore upon the altar, or passed between the divided victims. Gen. xv. 9. 17. C. --- This solemn act was usual, and more necessary in times of trouble. M.

Ver. 13. Said he, is not in Heb. &c. H. --- Die, according to Deut. xvii. 7.

Ver. 15. Curse. Heb. "oath." M. --- Sept. "all Juda rejoiced on account of the oath." H.

Ver. 16. Mother, or grandmother. C. --- There were perhaps two of the name, and Abia had married one as well as Roboam. M. --- Deposed, &c. Heb. "from being queen." Sept. "he removed Maacha,...that she should not minister to Astarte; and he cut the idol in pieces, and burnt it," &c. H. --- Syr. "because she had celebrated a feast to idols." But it seems she had set up a stone, which Asa burnt. See 3 K. xv. 13. C. --- Priapus is added by the Vulg. to explain Heb. "the idol of, or in the grove," (H.) Asera or Astarte. C.

Ver. 17. Israel, to the honour only of the true God. C. xiv. 2. and 3 K. xv. 14. H. --- Perfect, with respect to the external worship, (T.) or hitherto, (H.) though he offended afterwards. C. xvi. 7. 12. T. --- Other altars, besides that at Jerusalem, might be dispensed with, (W.) by God's authority. H.

Ver. 18. Vowed, in the wars against Jeroboam and Zara. See 1 Par. xxvi. 27.

Ver. 19. Year. Usher dates from the separation of the two kingdoms; and this year corresponds with the 15th of Asa, v. 10. See 3 K. xv. 16. C. Torniel, A. 3094.