King James Version
2 Kings 14
29 verses with commentary
Amaziah's Reign in Judah
In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**XIV.
THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH IN JUDAH, AND OF JEROBOAM II IN ISRAEL.**
(1-17) **THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH**. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 25)
(2) **Jehoaddan.**—The Hebrew text, which is supported by the LXX., has *Jehoaddin* (perhaps, “Jehovah is delight;” comp. Isaiah 47:8, and the Divine name *Naaman*).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14-18. smote the waters--**The waving of the mantle on the river, and the miraculous division of the waters consequent upon it, was an evidence that the Lord God of Elijah was with him, and as this miracle was witnessed by the scholars of the prophets from Jericho, they forthwith recognized the pre-eminence of Elisha, as now the prophet of Israel.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
Chapter Outline
Abijah being sick, his mother consults Ahijah.(1-6)
The destruction of Jeroboam's house.(7-20)
Rehoboam's wicked reign.(21-31)
**Verses 1-6**
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction i...
Read full commentary →He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14-18. smote the waters--**The waving of the mantle on the river, and the miraculous division of the waters consequent upon it, was an evidence that the Lord God of Elijah was with him, and as this miracle was witnessed by the scholars of the prophets from Jericho, they forthwith recognized the pre-eminence of Elisha, as now the prophet of Israel.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
Chapter Outline
Abijah being sick, his mother consults Ahijah.(1-6)
The destruction of Jeroboam's house.(7-20)
Rehoboam's wicked reign.(21-31)
**Verses 1-6**
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction i...
Read full commentary →And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Yet not like David his father.**—The chronicler paraphrases this reference to the ideal king of Israel: “*yet not with a perfect heart.*”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
Chapter Outline
Abijah being sick, his mother consults Ahijah.(1-6)
The destruction of Jeroboam's house.(7-20)
Rehoboam's wicked reign.(21-31)
**Verses 1-6**
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction i...
Read full commentary →Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster. <br><br>The...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Howbeit.**—The same word was rendered “yet” in the last verse. “Only,” or “save that” would be better.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein--**The noxious qualities of the water could not be corrected by the infusion of salt--for, supposing the salt was possessed of such a property, a whole spring could not be purified by a dishful for a day, much less in all future time. The pouring in of the salt was a symbolic act with which Elisha accompanied the word of the Lord, by which the sprin...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
Chapter Outline
Abijah being sick, his mother consults Ahijah.(1-6)
The destruction of Jeroboam's house.(7-20)
Rehoboam's wicked reign.(21-31)
**Verses 1-6**
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction i...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs durin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **As soon as the kingdom was confirmed**—*i.e.*, as soon as he was firmly established on the throne; as soon as he felt his power secure. (Comp. 1Kings 2:46.)
**Slew . . .—slain.**—Literally, *smote . . . smitten*.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
Chapter Outline
Abijah being sick, his mother consults Ahijah.(1-6)
The destruction of Jeroboam's house.(7-20)
Rehoboam's wicked reign.(21-31)
**Verses 1-6**
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction i...
Read full commentary →But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **The murderers.**—Literally, *the smiters*.
**According unto that which is written . . . law of Moses.**—A quotation of Deuteronomy 24:16. This reference is from the pen of the Judæan editor.
**Shall be put to death.**—So the original passage and the Hebrew margin. Hebrew text, “shall die.”
This humane provision of the Jewish law contrasts favourably with the practice of other nations, ancien...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 14
Chapter Outline
Abijah being sick, his mother consults Ahijah.(1-6)
The destruction of Jeroboam's house.(7-20)
Rehoboam's wicked reign.(21-31)
**Verses 1-6**
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction i...
Read full commentary →He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day. Selah: or, the rock
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster. <...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **He slew.**—Rather, *he it was that smote*.
**The valley of salt.**—Comp. 2Samuel 8:13. *El-Ghôr*, the salt plain of the Dead Sea, which Amaziah would traverse in marching against Edom.
**Ten thousand.**—The number slain in one conflict.
**Selah.**—Heb., the *Sèlac, i.e.*, the crag. The Hebrew name of the famous rock-hewn town of Petra.
**By war.**—Or, *in the battle*. After the decisive enga...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23-24. there came forth little children out of the city--**that is, the idolatrous, or infidel young men of the place, who affecting to disbelieve the report of his master's translation, sarcastically urged him to follow in the glorious career.
**bald head--**an epithet of contempt in the East, applied to a person even with a bushy head of hair. The appalling judgment that befell them was God'...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-20**
Whether we keep an account of God's mercies to us or not, he does; and he will set them in order before us, if we are ungrateful, to our greater confusion. Ahijah foretells the speedy death of the child then sick, in mercy to him. He only in the house of Jeroboam had affection for the true worship of God, and disliked the worship of the calves. To show the power and sovereignty...
Read full commentary →War Between Judah and Israel
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occur...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Then.**—After the reduction of Edom. The more extended narrative which follows is plainly taken from a different source than that of the brief extract preceding it.
**Come, let us look one another in the face.**—A challenge to battle, the ground of which might be found in the outrages committed by the Israelite mercenaries on their homeward march. It appears likely, however, that Amaziah, in...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23-24. there came forth little children out of the city--**that is, the idolatrous, or infidel young men of the place, who affecting to disbelieve the report of his master's translation, sarcastically urged him to follow in the glorious career.
**bald head--**an epithet of contempt in the East, applied to a person even with a bushy head of hair. The appalling judgment that befell them was God'...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. T...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The thistle.**—Or *bramble or briar*. (Comp. Job 31:40; Song of Solomon 2:2.) The LXX. and Vulg. render “thistle;” the Syriac, “blackthorn” (*Prunus silvestris*).
**Give thy daughter to my son to wife.**—Perhaps hinting at Amaziah’s demand for the surrender of Israel (the “daughter” of Jehoash) to Judah (the “son” of Amaziah).
**And there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon.**—Rather,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? at home: Heb. at thy house
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Thou hast indeed smitten**—*i.e.*, thou hast *thoroughly* worsted; gained a *brilliant* victory over Edom. (The “indeed” qualifies “smitten.”)
**Hath lifted.**—Rather, *lifteth*.
**Glory of this, and tarry at home.**—Literally, *be honoured, and abide in thine own house, i.e.,* be content with the glory thou hast achieved. Rest on thy laurels, and do not risk them by further enterprises whi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's u...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Looked one another in the face**—*i.e.*, encountered one another; joined battle.
**Beth**-**shemesh.**—The modern *Ain-shems,* north of which is a great plain now called *Wâdy-es-Surâr,* in which the encounter probably happened. Jehoash proposed to attack Jerusalem from the west, as Hazael also had intended (2Kings 12:17).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 3
2Ki 3:1-3. Jehoram's Evil Reign over Israel.
**1-2. Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat--**(compare 1Ki 22:51). To reconcile the statements in the two passages, we must suppose that Ahaziah, having reigned during the seventeenth and the greater part of the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, was succeeded by his brother Joram o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents. put: Heb. smitten
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster. <br><br>The narrative demonstrates God's...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **To their tents.**—Hebrew text, *to his tent*; so the LXX. and Syriac. Hebrew margin, to *his tents*; so Vulg., and Targum, and Chronicles. The meaning is that the enemy disbanded, as usually after a great defeat. (Comp. 2Kings 8:21.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 3
2Ki 3:1-3. Jehoram's Evil Reign over Israel.
**1-2. Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat--**(compare 1Ki 22:51). To reconcile the statements in the two passages, we must suppose that Ahaziah, having reigned during the seventeenth and the greater part of the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, was succeeded by his brother Joram o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship remi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah.**—Comp, 2Kings 14:8. Thenius thinks the formal specification of Amaziah’s descent indicates that this narrative was derived from “the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.” At all events, it emphasises the importance of the incident, which is further indicated in the original by the order of the words: “And Amaziah king ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages , and returned to Samaria.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign c...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **That were found.**—This expression seems to hint that there was not much treasure to carry off. (Comp. 2Kings 13:18.)
**Hostages.**—Literally, *the sons of sureties.* Having humbled the pride of Amaziah, Jehoash left him in possession of his throne, taking hostages for his future good behaviour. Similar acts of clemency are recorded of themselves by the Assyrian kings of the dynasty of Sarg...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. Mesha king of Moab, &c.--**As his dominions embraced an extensive pasture country, he paid, as annual tribute, the wool of a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams. It is still common in the East to pay custom and taxes in the fruits or natural produce of the land.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy succe...
Read full commentary →Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15, 16) **Now the rest . . .**—Comp. 2Kings 13:12-13, where the reign of Jehoash is already summed up, though not altogether in the same phraseology. The compiler probably found 2Kings 14:15-16, in their present position in the document from which he derived the entire section, 2Kings 14:8-17; a document which was not the same as that upon which 2 Kings 13 depends, as appears from the differences...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. Mesha king of Moab, &c.--**As his dominions embraced an extensive pasture country, he paid, as annual tribute, the wool of a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams. It is still common in the East to pay custom and taxes in the fruits or natural produce of the land.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. Mesha king of Moab, &c.--**As his dominions embraced an extensive pasture country, he paid, as annual tribute, the wool of a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams. It is still common in the East to pay custom and taxes in the fruits or natural produce of the land.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the declin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **Fifteen years.**—He came to the throne in the second year of Jehoash, who reigned sixteen years (2Kings 13:10), and reigned twenty-nine years (2Kings 14:2). The different *data are* thus self-consistent. Jehoash appears to have died very soon after his victory—perhaps in the following year.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward Is...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--**This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national dis...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Now . . . but.**—*And . . . and.*
**They made a conspiracy.**—The fact that no *individual* conspirators are mentioned appears to indicate that Amazialı’s death was the result of a general disaffection; and this inference is strengthened by the other details of the record. Thenius supppses that he had incensed the army in particular by some special act. Probably his foolish and ill-fated en...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--**This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster. <br><br>The narrative de...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **They brought him on horses.**—Rather, *they carried him upon the horses—i.e.*, perhaps in the royal chariot wherein he had fled from Jerusalem. Or, perhaps, the corpse was literally carried on horseback by the regicides.
The orderly method of proceeding, the burial of the king in the royal sepulchres, and the elevation of Azariah, seem to prove that the murder of Amaziah was not an act of p...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--**This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **All the people of Judah.**—Thenius explains, all the men of war, as in 2Kings 13:7.
**Took.**—The expression seems to imply that Azariah was *not* the eldest son. As Amaziah was fifty-nine years old at his death he probably had sons older than sixteen. Azariah was therefore chosen as a popular, or perhaps military, favourite.
**Azariah.**—See Note on 2Chronicles 26:1. Thenius thinks the sol...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--**This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrati...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **He built Elath.**—The pronoun is emphatic; *he,* in contrast with his father. “Built,” either *rebuilt* or *fortified.* The verse is in close connection with the preceding narrative. Amaziah perhaps had not vigorously prosecuted the conquest of Edom, having been greatly weakened by his defeat in the struggle with Jehoash. He may even have suffered some further losses at the hands of the Edo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-12. Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom--**This was a long and circuitous route, by the southern bend of the Dead Sea. Jehoshaphat however preferred it, partly because the part of the Moabite territory at which they would arrive, was the most defenseless; and partly because he would thereby enlist, in the expedition, the forces of the king of Edom....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-22**
Amaziah survived his conqueror fifteen years. He was slain by his own subjects. Azariah, or Uzziah, seems to have been very young when his father was slain. Though the years of his reign are reckoned from that event, he was not fully made king till eleven years afterwards.
Jeroboam II's Reign in Israel
In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate king...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**THE REIGN OF JEROBOAM II. IN SAMARIA**
(2Kings 14:23-29).
(23) **Reigned forty and one years.**—According to the statement of this verse, Jeroboam reigned fourteen years concurrently with Amaziah, who reigned altogether twenty-nine years (2Kings 14:2); and thirty-seven years concurrently with Azariah (2Kings 15:8), so that he reigned altogether not forty-one but fifty-one years. (The discrepancy...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-14. What have I to do with thee? &c.--**Wishing to produce a deep spirit of humility and contrition, Elisha gave a stern repulse to the king of Israel, accompanied by a sarcastic sneer, in bidding him go and consult Baal and his soothsayers. But the distressed condition, especially the imploring language, of the royal suppliants, who acknowledged the hand of the Lord in this distress, dre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-14. What have I to do with thee? &c.--**Wishing to produce a deep spirit of humility and contrition, Elisha gave a stern repulse to the king of Israel, accompanied by a sarcastic sneer, in bidding him go and consult Baal and his soothsayers. But the distressed condition, especially the imploring language, of the royal suppliants, who acknowledged the hand of the Lord in this distress, dre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasize...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **He restored.**—Rather, *He it was who restored the border, i.e.*, he wrested out of the hands of the Syrians the territory they had taken from Israel.
**From the entering of Hamath**—*i.e.*, from the point where the territory of Hamath began. This was the originally determined boundary of Israel on the north (comp. Numbers 13:21; Numbers 34:8; Joshua 13:5), and the prophet Ezekiel specifies...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. bring me a minstrel--**The effect of music in soothing the mind is much regarded in the East; and it appears that the ancient prophets, before entering their work, commonly resorted to it, as a preparative, by praise and prayer, to their receiving the prophetic afflatus.
**the hand of the Lord--**a phrase significantly implying that the gift of prophecy was not a natural or inherent gift, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This pass...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **Affliction.**—Better, *oppression.*
**Bitter.**—So the LXX., Syriac, and Vulg. Better, *stubborn*, and *so, inveterate, unyielding, enduring*. (Comp. Deuteronomy 21:18-20.) Targum, “hard;” Arabic, “strong” or “violent.”
**For there was . . . left.**—Comp. Note on 1Kings 14:10.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. Make this valley full of ditches--**capable of holding water.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **Said not.**—By any prophet.
**Blot out the name.**—The figure is taken from blotting out writing. (Comp. Numbers 5:23.) The Hebrews used inks that soon faded, and could easily be wiped off the parchment (Hence the partial obliteration of words and letters which is one of the causes of textual corruption.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. Ye shall not see wind--**It is common in the East to speak of seeing wind, from the clouds of straw, dust, or sand, that are often whirled into the air, after a long drought.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →Azariah's Reign in Judah
Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **How he recovered Damascus, and Hamath.**—Jeroboam II. was probably contemporary with Rammân-nirâri, king of Assyria (B.C. 812-783). This king has recorded his exaction of tribute from Tyre and Sidon, “the land of Omri” (*i.e.*, Israel), Edom, and Philistia; and a siege of Damascus, followed by the submission of Mari’, its king, and the spoiling of his palace. The prostration of his enemy th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward I...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
Here is no good said of Rehoboam, and much said to the disadvantage of his subjects. The abounding of the worst crimes, of the worst of the heathen, in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen for his temple and his worship, shows that nothing can mend the hearts of fallen men but the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. On this alone may we depend; for this let us daily pray,...
Read full commentary →