(7) The porch.--Of the holy place, or nave of the Temple; the only entrance to the two holy chambers.

Put out the lamps.--Of the great golden stand, in the holy place.

Have not burned incense.--On the golden altar. Literally, And incense they have not burned, and burnt offering they have not offered in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is not the holy place, or larger chamber of the Temple, but it includes the whole sacred precincts, courts as well as buildings. The burnt offerings presented on the new Syrian altar of Ahaz (2Kings 16:15) are here counted as nought, because they were irregular. (Comp. also 2Kings 16:14.)

Verse 7. - This verse is the answering echo of 2 Chronicles 28:24.

29:1-19 When Hezekiah came to the crown, he applied at once to work reform. Those who begin with God, begin at the right end of their work, and it will prosper accordingly. Those that turn their backs upon God's ordinances, may truly be said to forsake God himself. There are still such neglects, if the word be not duly read and opened, for that was signified by the lighting the lamps, and also if prayers and praise be not offered up, for that was signified by the burning incense. Neglect of God's worship was the cause of the calamities they had lain under. The Lord alone can prepare the heart of man for vital godliness: when much good is done in a little time, the glory must be ascribed to him; and all who love him or the souls of men, will rejoice therein. Let those that do good work, learn to do it well.Also they have shut up the doors of the porch,.... So that there was no entering into the temple, 2 Chronicles 28:24.

and put out the lamps; for the priests not being able to go in morning and evening to light them, and dress them, they in course went out; the Jews say (n), that on the eighteenth of Ab, which answers to part of July and August, the western lamp was extinct in the days of Ahaz, for which a fast was kept on that day:

and have not burnt incense, nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel; but had done these in the high places to idols, 2 Chronicles 28:3.

(n) Schulchan Aruch, par. 1. c. 580. sect. 2.