2 Chronicles 28:23

“For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him, etc.] As he foolishly imagined, that they might do him no more hurt; as it is said of the Indians, that they worship the devil, that he may not hurt them; but that a king of Judah should do this is monstrous stupidity; rather therefore the meaning may be, that he worshipped the gods of those that smote him, those of the men or soldiers of Damascus f122 (see <142805>2 Chronicles 28:5) for the Spirit of God would never ascribe the smiting of him to idols, though he himself might; and he said, because the gods of the kings of Syria help them; which looks as if this was before Damascus was taken by the king of Assyria, and when Rezin…”

“His adoption of the Syrian gods, Hadad, Rimmon, and others, as objects of worship, no doubt preceded the destruction of Damascus by the Assyrians 2 Kings 16:9. Israel - i. e. “Judah;” so in 2 Chronicles 28:27. Compare 2 Chronicles 28:19. return to 'Top of Page'”

“For he sacrificed: This passage, says Mr. Hallet, greatly surprised me; for the sacred historian is here represented as saying, "The gods of Damascus had smitten Ahaz." But it is impossible to suppose that an inspired author should say this; for the Scripture every where represents the heathen idols as nothing and vanity, and as incapable of doing either good or hurt. All difficulty is avoided if we follow the old Hebrew copies, from which the Greek translation was made: "And king Ahaz said, I will seek to the gods of Damascus which have smitten me." Ch2 25:14; Kg2 16:12, Kg2 16:13 Damascus: Heb. Darmesek Because the gods: Hab 1:11 sacrifice to them: Jer 10:5, Jer 44:15-18 But they were: Isa…”