(25) But Hezekiah.—For Hezekiah’s pride, see the account of his reception of the Babylonian embassy (2Kings 20:12-19; Isaiah 39).

According to the benefit done unto him.—In his illness he promised to walk humbly all his days (Isaiah 38:15); but when he had recovered, “his heart was lifted up.”

Therefore there was wrath upon him.—And wrath fell upon him. The token of this was seen in Isaiah’s prophetic rebuke, foretelling that the royal treasures would be carried away to Babylon, and that some of Hezekiah’s sons would be eunuchs in the palace there (2Kings 20:16-18; Isaiah 39:5-7).

And upon Judah and Jerusalem.—Which shared in the king’s guilty pride and confidence in the arm of flesh. (Comp. 1Chronicles 27:24; 2Chronicles 19:10.)

2 Chronicles 32:25. Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done him — Was not humble, grateful, and devoted to God, as in reason and duty he ought to have been, considering God’s marvellous interpositions in his favour, and the great and extraordinary deliverances he had wrought out for him and his kingdom; but God’s favour to him became the food and fuel of his pride. For his heart was lifted up — On account of that prodigious victory over the Assyrians, his miraculous restoration from sickness, and the honour since done him by an embassy from the great king of Babylon. All which, probably, raised in him too great an opinion of himself, as if these things were done for his piety and virtues. And instead of walking humbly with God, and giving the glory of all to him, he took, in part at least, the honour to himself, and vainly showed his riches and precious treasures to the Babylonish ambassadors, 2 Kings 20:12, &c. Therefore there was wrath upon him — For pride is a sin which God particularly hates, especially in his own people; and they that exalt themselves must expect to be abased, and put under humbling providences. Thus wrath came on David for his pride in numbering the people. And upon Judah and Jerusalem — Who were justly punished for Hezekiah’s sin, because they imitated him in it, as they confess in the next verse.

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.His heart was lifted up - Compare the marginal reference. Hezekiah's pride was shown in his unnecessarily exhibiting his treasures to the ambassadors from Babylon (see 2 Kings 20:13).

There was wrath upon him - Compare 2 Kings 20:17-18.

2Ch 32:24-26. Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery.

24. In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death—(See on [469]2Ki 20:1-11).

His heart was lifted up, for that prodigious victory over the Assyrians, above, 2 Chronicles 32:21, and for his miraculous restoration from sickness, and the confirmation of that work by a strange and supernatural motion of the sun, and by the honour since done him by an embassy from the great and potent king of Babylon; all which probably raised in him too great an opinion of himself, as if these things were done, if not by his power, yet, at least, for his piety and virtues. And instead of walking humbly with God, and giving the glory of all entirely to him, he took the honour to himself, and vain-gloriously showed his riches and precious treasures to the Babylonish ambassadors, 2 Kings 20:12, &c.

Upon Judah and Jerusalem; who might justly be punished for Hezekiah’s sin, because they followed him in it, as they confess in the next verse.

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him,.... Both in the deliverance of him and his people from the king of Assyria, and the recovery of him from his sickness:

for his heart was lifted up; with pride, because of the wonderful defeat of the Assyrian army in his favour, the miracle wrought at his recovery from illness, the riches and honour conferred upon him, the presents brought him from his neighbours, and especially the embassy of the king of Babylon to him:

therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem; who, in imitation of him, fell into the same sin of pride, with many others; and therefore both he and they were threatened with some tokens of the divine displeasure.

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart {s} was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

(s) He was lifted up with the pride of his victory and treasures, and shows them for an ostentation to the ambassadors of Babylon.