He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth. He built cities for himselfThe phrase "He built cities for himself" indicates a period of prosperity and expansion under King Hezekiah's reign. The Hebrew root for "built" is "בָּנָה" (banah), which implies not just physical construction but also establishing and fortifying. In the ancient Near Eastern context, building cities was a sign of strength, stability, and divine favor. It reflects Hezekiah's strategic and administrative capabilities, as well as his desire to secure his kingdom against potential threats. This action aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship, where leaders are called to wisely manage and expand the resources entrusted to them by God. and he acquired flocks and herds in abundance
The acquisition of "flocks and herds in abundance" signifies agricultural prosperity and wealth. The Hebrew word for "acquired" is "קָנָה" (qanah), which means to purchase or possess. In the agrarian society of ancient Judah, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and economic stability. This abundance is a testament to Hezekiah's effective governance and God's blessing upon his reign. It also reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel regarding prosperity in the land (Deuteronomy 28:4). The mention of flocks and herds underscores the importance of agriculture and animal husbandry in sustaining the kingdom's economy and providing for its people. for God had given him very great wealth
The phrase "for God had given him very great wealth" attributes Hezekiah's prosperity directly to divine blessing. The Hebrew word for "given" is "נָתַן" (natan), which means to bestow or grant. This highlights the biblical theme that all blessings and successes ultimately come from God. The acknowledgment of God's hand in Hezekiah's wealth serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience and faithfulness lead to divine favor. The "very great wealth" is not just material but also a sign of God's approval and presence with Hezekiah, reinforcing the idea that true prosperity is rooted in a right relationship with God. This serves as an inspiration for believers to seek God's guidance and blessing in all endeavors, recognizing Him as the source of all good things. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah during this time, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the nation spiritually and politically. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Hezekiah reigned. It was a time of both spiritual revival and political challenges. 3. God's BlessingThe verse highlights the divine favor and blessing upon Hezekiah, resulting in great wealth and prosperity. Teaching Points Divine ProvisionRecognize that all material blessings and wealth come from God. Hezekiah's wealth was a direct result of God's provision. Stewardship of ResourcesHezekiah's acquisition of cities, flocks, and herds suggests responsible management and stewardship of the resources God provided. Spiritual PrioritiesDespite his wealth, Hezekiah's primary focus was on spiritual reform and faithfulness to God, serving as a model for prioritizing spiritual over material wealth. Gratitude and HumilityAcknowledge God's role in our successes and remain humble, understanding that prosperity is a gift from God, not solely the result of personal effort. Legacy of FaithfulnessHezekiah's account encourages us to leave a legacy of faithfulness and trust in God, impacting future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's wealth reflect God's blessing, and what can we learn about the source of our own prosperity? 2. In what ways can we practice good stewardship with the resources God has entrusted to us, as Hezekiah did? 3. How can we ensure that our spiritual priorities remain intact, even when we experience material success? 4. What steps can we take to cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility in response to God's blessings? 5. How can Hezekiah's legacy of faithfulness inspire us to impact our families and communities for God's glory? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 13:2This verse describes Abram's wealth, drawing a parallel to Hezekiah's prosperity as a sign of God's blessing. Deuteronomy 8:18This passage reminds us that it is God who gives the ability to produce wealth, emphasizing the source of Hezekiah's riches. Proverbs 10:22This proverb speaks of the blessing of the Lord bringing wealth without sorrow, aligning with Hezekiah's experience of divine favor. People Amoz, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh, SennacheribPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Gihon, Jerusalem, Lachish, MilloTopics Abundance, Acquired, Cities, Flocks, Got, Herds, Likewise, Moreover, Numbers, Possessions, Property, Provided, Riches, Substance, Towns, Villages, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 32:29 8780 materialism, and sin 2 Chronicles 32:27-29 5399 luxury
5601 village Library A Strange Reward for Faithfulness
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.'--2 CHRON. XXXII. 1. The Revised Version gives a much more accurate and significant rendering of a part of these words. It reads: 'After these things and this faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.' What are 'these things' and 'this faithfulness'? The former are the whole of the events connected with the religious reformation in Judah, which King Hezekiah inaugurated and carried through so brilliantly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureSome Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City: …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 32:29 NIV2 Chronicles 32:29 NLT2 Chronicles 32:29 ESV2 Chronicles 32:29 NASB2 Chronicles 32:29 KJV
2 Chronicles 32:29 Commentaries
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