The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 450

in the midst of bis reople, and that its stabilitv was secured by his presence. (2) The bru:es, with their lavers, for washing the sacrifices; and the molten sea for the use of t.he priests. (3) The common utensils connected with the service of the altar and sanctuary-pots, shovels, etc. These brazen pillars, vessels, and utensils were the work of Hiram of Tyre, and were wrought with the utmost artistic skill (1 Kings vii. 13-51). The pillars were masterpieces of strength and ornamental beauty ; the sea and bases were also exqnisitely carved and adorned with figures of cherubim palms, and flowers. They were the pride and glory of the temple, and as mere work; of art stood in the highest place. 2. Treatment of the vessels. The more grievous, for the above reasons, was the treatment to which these beautiful objects were now subjected. Not only ,vere they torn from their places and uses in the temple, but they were ruthlessly broken to pieces, that they might be the more easily carried away. Hiram's master- pieces bad sunk to the level of common brass, and were treated only as such. 'l'he lesser vessels were, of course, taken away whole. What could more significantly tell of the departure of God from bis house, the rejection of its worship, and the reversal of the promises of stability, etc., he bad given in connection with it, than this ignominious treatment of its sacred vessels? They had, indeed, when his presence was withdrawn, become mere "pieces of brass," as did the brazen serpent of Moses, when men turned it into an occasion for sin (eh. xviii. 4). Their house was left unto them desolate (Matt. xxiii. 38). III. 'fHE SL~UG1;1TER OF THE CHrEF MEN. A final ad of vengeance was yet to be perpetrated. Smglmg out a number of the chief men, Nebnzar-adan brought them to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, and there "the King of Babylon smote them, and slew them." The victims were contributed by : 1. Tile temple. "Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and three keepers of the door." 2. The army and coui·t. "An officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king's presence ... and the principal scribe of the host." 3. The citizene. " Three score men of the people of the land that were found in the city." All classes were thus represented, e.nd bore their share in the expiation of the common guilt. The slaughter was no doubt partly intended to inspire terror in those who were left.-J. 0. Vers. 22-26.-Gedalidh and the remnant. Nothing could more effectually show the hopeless condition of the people, and their unfitness for self-government, than this brief narrative of events which followed the destruction of Jerusalem. 'l'hc detailed history is given in Jer. x.1.-xllii. I. GEDALIAH MADE GOVERNOR. It was neceseary to appoint a governor over the land, and for this pnrpose Nebucbaduezzar chose "Gedaliah the son of Abikam, the son of Shsphan." The country was desolate, and had been robbed of its chief elements of strength; but, had the people chosen to hold together, they might still have sub- sisted with a reasonable degree of comfort, and gradually again built up a prosperous community. 1. 'l'hey had a good governor. Gedaliah wa~ one of themselves, a man of an honourable and godly stock, a sincere patriot, and of a kindly and generous nature. Under his role they had nothing to fear, and were assured of every help and encouragement. 2. They had a good rompany. In numbers the population was probably still not inconsiderable, and it was soon reinforced by many Jews, "who returned out of all places whith~r they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah" (Jer. xl. 12). They came from Moab, from Amm?n, from Edorn, and "all the countries," attracted by the pro3pect of the fields and vmcya~ds which were to be bad for the asking (Jer. xxxix. 10; xl. 11). A number of captams with their men also, who bad beea biding in the fields, came to Gedaliah, and took posseSBion of the cities (cf. Jer. x.l. 10). Their names are given-Ish_mael, ~ohan~n, Seraiah, Jaazaniah, etc. '!'here were here the elements of a community which, with proper cohesion, might soon have come to something. 3. 'J.'hey had good prom_ises. 'l'o those who came to him Gedaliah gave ready welcome alld reassuring promises. He swore to the captains that they need fear no harm. Let them dwell in the land, ~nd serve the King of Babylon, and it would be well with them. Let them gather wme, and summer fruits, and oil, and dwell in the cities they had occupied (Jer. xl. 10). It may, indeed, be affirmed that the bulk of the people now left in the land were bette~ off ID.llterially than they had been for aowe time. .Formerly they were poor and sla.rv1ng, CII, XXV. 1-30.] THE SECOND BOOK OF 'fllE KING8.