2 Chronicles 16:14

“And they buried him in his own sepulchres which he had made for himself in the city of David, etc.] Where was the burying place of the kings of Judah; here Asa had ordered a vault to be made for himself and his family, and therefore called sepulchres, because of the several cells therein to put separate bodies in: and laid him in the bed; not only laid him out, as we express it, but laid him on a bed of state, where he lay in great pomp; or the funeral bed, which, with other nations f67, used to be strowed with sweet smelling flowers and herbs, as follows: which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries art; or rather confectioner or druggist; for…”

“they buried him in his own sepulchres--The tombs in the neighborhood of Jerusalem were excavated in the side of a rock. One cave contained several tombs or sepulchres. laid him in the bed . . . filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices--It is evident that a sumptuous public funeral was given him as a tribute of respect and gratitude for his pious character and patriotic government. But whether "the bed" means a state couch on which he lay exposed to public view, the odoriferous perfumes being designed to neutralize the offensive smell of the corpse, or whether it refers to an embalmment, in which aromatic spices were always used in great profusion, it is impossible to say. they…”

“The explanation of the plural - “sepulchres” - will be seen in 1 Kings 13:30 note. The burning of spices in honor of a king at his funeral was customary (compare the marginal references). return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/2-chronicles-16.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“Burning - Of precious spices; thereby testifying their respect to him notwithstanding his miscarriages. Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 17”

“16:14 Asa had an honorable burial despite his sins. He had made extravagant preparations for his burial during his lifetime, including a tomb he had carved out for himself. Asa might have been imitating the pharaohs of Egypt in making these preparations. • The custom of a huge funeral fire is unknown outside of Chronicles and Jeremiah (cp. Jer 34:5).”

“his own sepulchres: Ch2 35:24; Isa 22:16; Joh 19:41, Joh 19:42 made: Heb. digged sweet odours: Gen 50:2; Mar 16:1; Joh 19:39, Joh 19:40 the apothecaries' art: Exo 30:25-37; Ecc 10:1 a very great: Ch2 21:19; Jer 34:5 Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 17”