- 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." "Now it came to pass,¹ after² that¹ Amaziahª was comeª° from the slaughterª°¹¹ of the Edomites,ª that he broughtª°¹ the godsª of the childrenª of Seir,ª and set them upª° [to be] his gods,ª and bowed down²° himself¹ beforeª them, and burned incenseª° unto them." {2Ch 25:14} + "And when the kingª was comeª° from Damascus,ª¹ the kingª sawª°¹ the altar:ª and the kingª approachedª° to¹ the altar,ª and offeredª° thereon.¹ ... And he burntª°¹ his burnt offeringª and his meat offering,ª and pouredª°¹ his drink offering,ª and sprinkledª°¹ the bloodª of his¹ peace offerings,ª upon¹ the altar.ª" {2Kg 16:12-13}
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