(33) And they buried him . . . honour at his death.--Statements peculiar to the chronicler. They go to prove an authority besides the canonical books of Kings.
The chiefest.--Rather, the ascent--i.e., the way up to the royal tombs. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 20:16.) "The sons of David" are the kings of the house of David. Hezekiah may have chosen a favourite spot for his burial-place; but, as his successors Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah likewise, were not laid in the tombs of the kings, it would appear that the old royal sepulchres were full.
Did him honour at his death.--The phrase, "did him honour" ('as- k?bod lo) occurs here only. (Comp. "give honour to," 1 Samuel 6:5; Psalm 29:1.) Probably a great burning of spices was made in honour of Hezekiah as of Asa. (See 2 Chronicles 16:14; 2 Chronicles 21:19.)
Verse 33. - In the chiefest of the sepulchres; literally, in the ascent of the sepulchres; i.e. in new burial-places, either on the ascent to the old ones, probably now full, or else above, them.
32:24-33 God left Hezekiah to himself, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, what was in his heart might be known; that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but may always live in dependence upon Divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves us to ourselves. His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves; but beg earnestly of God, that he will always keep them humble! Hezekiah made a bad return to God for his favours, by making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us commit ourselves continually to God's care and protection; and beg of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God, death will soon end the believer's conflict; then pride and every sin will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to withhold the praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers,.... Died, as they did:
and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David; in the more honourable and principal of them; there are still to be seen, on the north of Jerusalem, some grottos, called the sepulchres of the kings, though it is certain none of the kings of Israel or Judah were buried there; unless it may be thought, as Mr. Maundrell (e) conjectures, that Hezekiah was here inferred, and that these are the sepulchres of the sons of David here mentioned; however, he observes, whoever was buried here, this is certain, that the place itself discovers so great an expense both of labour and treasure, that we may well suppose it to be the work of kings:
and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death; by attending his funeral in great numbers, by burning spices for him, and by mourning for him many days:
and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead; of whom a further account is given in the next chapter.
The chiefest.--Rather, the ascent--i.e., the way up to the royal tombs. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 20:16.) "The sons of David" are the kings of the house of David. Hezekiah may have chosen a favourite spot for his burial-place; but, as his successors Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah likewise, were not laid in the tombs of the kings, it would appear that the old royal sepulchres were full.
Did him honour at his death.--The phrase, "did him honour" ('as- k?bod lo) occurs here only. (Comp. "give honour to," 1 Samuel 6:5; Psalm 29:1.) Probably a great burning of spices was made in honour of Hezekiah as of Asa. (See 2 Chronicles 16:14; 2 Chronicles 21:19.)
and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David; in the more honourable and principal of them; there are still to be seen, on the north of Jerusalem, some grottos, called the sepulchres of the kings, though it is certain none of the kings of Israel or Judah were buried there; unless it may be thought, as Mr. Maundrell (e) conjectures, that Hezekiah was here inferred, and that these are the sepulchres of the sons of David here mentioned; however, he observes, whoever was buried here, this is certain, that the place itself discovers so great an expense both of labour and treasure, that we may well suppose it to be the work of kings:
and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death; by attending his funeral in great numbers, by burning spices for him, and by mourning for him many days:
and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead; of whom a further account is given in the next chapter.
(e) Journey from Aleppo, &c. p. 76.