* A.M. 3278. B.C. 726. they brought.
21:20 26:23 33:20 1Sa 2:30 Pr 10:7
* the kings of Israel.
Or, "the kings of Judah;" the name Israel being sometimes
applied by the writer of this book, in a general way, to
Judah. The Hebrews were accustomed to honour the memory of
those kings who had reigned well, by depositing their remains
in the royal cemetery. On the contrary, those who died under
the disapprobation of the people, as a mark of posthumous
disgrace, were denied interment with their predecessors, and
were buried in some other place in Jerusalem. So it was with
Ahaz, who, though brought into the city, was not buried in the
sepulchres of the kings of Judah. It was doubtless with a
design to make a suitable impression on the minds of their
kings while living, that such distinctions were observed.
They might thus restrain them from evil, or excite them to
good, according as they were fearful of being execrated, or
desirous of being honoured, when dead.
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