Chapter XXVIII (continued, part 2)
herds, carrying with them their own provisions of flour and water, as is their invariable custom, might have fought with Asa without eating a loaf of Zerah's bread
or drinking a pint of his water." [Bruce's Travels.]
1.0. Asa went out against him, and tliey set the battle In array ... at Mareshah—One of the towns which Rehoboam fortified (ch. 11. 8); near a great southern pass
In the low country of Judah (Joshua 15. 44). The engagemeat between the armies took place in a plain near the town, called "the valley of Zephathah," supposed to be the broad way coming down Beit Jibrin towards Tell EsSafreh. [Robinson.] 11-13. Asa cried unto the Lord his God—Strong in the confidence that the power of God wiis able to give the victory equally with few as with many, the pious king marched with a comparatively small force
• the strangers with them out of lE^phraim and Manassch—The population of Asa's kingdom had been vastly increased by the continued infiux of strangers, M'ho,
to encounter the formidable host of marauders at his southern frontier. Committing his cause to God, he engaged in the conflict—completely routed the enemy, and succeeded In obtaining, as the reward of his victory, a rich booty in treasure and cattle from the tents of this
prompted by motives either of interest or of piety, sought , in his dominions tliat security and freedom which they could not enjoy amidthe complicated troubles whichdistracted Israel, and out of Simeon—Althougli a portion of that tribe, located within the territory of Judah, were already subjects of the southern kingdom, the general body of the Simeonites had joined in forming the northern kingdom of Israel. But many of them now returned of their own acoord. 10. the third month—Wlien
pastoral horde.
Ver. 1-15. Judah Makes a Solemn Covenant with Gk)D. 1. Azarlah the son of Oded—This prophet, who is mentioned no where else, appears at this stage of the sacred story In the discharge of an interesting mission. He went to meet Asa, as he was returning; from his victorious pursuit of the Ethiopians, and the congratulatory address here recorded was publicly made to the king in presence of his army. 2. The Liord is Avith you, while ye be with him—You have had, in your recent signal success, a remarkable proof that God's blessing is upon you; your victory has been the reward of your faith and piety. If you steadfastly adhere to the cause of God, you may expect a continuance of His favour; but if you abandon it you will soon reap the bitter fruits of apostasy. 3-4. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the tme Crod, &c.—Some think that Azarlah was referring to the sad and disastrous condition to which superstition and idolatry had brought the neigWoouring kingdom of
was held the feast of Pentecost, which, on this occasion, was celebrated at Jerusalem by an extraordinary sacrifice of 700 oxen and 7000 sheep, the spoil of the Ethiopjans • being offered; and the assembled worshippers entered: with great and holy enthusiasm into a national covenant "to seek the Lord their God with all their heart and witU
all their soul;" and, at the same time, to execute witU rigour the laws which made idolatry punishable with, death (Deuteronomy 17. 2-5; Hebrews 10. 28). The people* testified unbounded satisfaction with this important religious movement, and its moral inlluence was seen la the promotion of piety, order and tranquility throughout the land. 18. the tilings which his father hail, dedicated—Probably part of the booty obtained by his signal victory over Jeroboam, but which, though dedicated, had hitherto been unrepresented, and that he himself had dedicated— Of the booty taken from the Ethiopians. Both of these were now deposited-; in the
Israel. His words should rather be taken in a wider bense, for it Deems manifest that the prophet had his eye
Asa's League with (he Syrians. 2 CHRONICLES XVI, XVII. Jehoshitphal Rcifjns WeH.
risen again, and as Asa Is pronounced a goo<l man (ch. lok
temple as votive offerings to Him wliose right hand and holy arm liad given them the victory.
17), it may be presumed that he als" was restored to a better state of mind. 14. they bxirled him in his own sepulchre—The tombs in the neighl)Ourho<Kl of Jernsalein were excavated in the side of a roc'k. One cave contained several tombs or sepulchres, laid him in the bed . . . filled with sweet odours and divers Iciitdsof spices—It
Ver. 1-14. Asa, by a League with the Syrians, Diverts Uaasha fko.m Building Ramah. t-G. In the six
is evident that a sumptuous public funeral was given him as a tribute of respect and gratitude for his pious charac-
aufl tlkirtletli year of the reign of Asa, Baaslia came
lip—Baaslia had died several years before this date (1 Kings 15. .33), and the best biblical critics are agreed in considering this date to be calculated from the separation
ter and patriotic government. But whether "the l)ed" means a state couch on which he lay exposed to public view, the o<loriferous perfumes tjelng designed to neu'nvl-
of tlie kingdoms, and coincident with the sixteenth year of Asa's reign. This mode of reckoning was, in
i/.e tlie offensive smell of the corpse, or whether it refers to an embalmment, in wliicli aromatic spices were always used in great profusion, it is impossible to say. thejr made a very great bnmlng for him— According to some, for consuming the spices ; but according to others,
all lilielihood, generally followed in the book of tlie kings of Judah and Israel, the public annals of the time (r. 11), the source from which the inspired historian drew his account. Baasha . . . tonllt Ramali—i. <?., forti-
it was a magnificent pile for the cremation of the corpse—a ussige which was at that time, and long after, prevalent among the Hebrews, and the omission of whicli in the case of royal personages was reckoned a great indignity (ch. 21. 19; 1 Samuel 31. 12; Jeremiah &i. aAmos 6. 10).
fied .t. The blessing of God which manifestly rested at
this time on the kingdom of Judah, the signal victory of Asa, the freedom and purity of religious worship, and the fame of the late national covenant, were regarded witli great interest tliroughout Israel,and attracted a constantly increasing number of emigrants to Judah. Baasha, alarmed at this movement, determined to stem the tide; and as the high road to and from Jerusalem passed by Ilamah, he made that frontier town, about six miles north of Asa's capital, a military station, where the vigilance of his sentinels would etleclually prevent all passage across the boundary of the kingdom (see on 1 Kings
Ver. 1-6. JEHOSHAI'HAT Reigns wet.l, and PitosrERS.
1. Jehoshnphat strengthened himself against Israel the temper and proceedings of the kings of Israel rendered it necessary for him to prev>are vigorous measures of defence on the northern frontier of his kingdom, and these consisted in filling all the fortresses with their full complement of troops, and establishing military stations in various parts of the country, as well as in the cities of Mount Ephiaim, which belonged to Jehoshaphat (ch. 15.
15. lG-22; also Jeremiah -41. 9). 4. Beiihaclud . . . sent the eaptains of his armies . . . and they smote . . . Abel-malm—"Tlie meadow of waters," supposed to have
been .situated on the marshy plain near tlie uppermost lake of tlie Jordan. The other two towns were also in the northern district of Palestine. Tlie.se unexpected
S). 3-5. He walked In the iirst ways of his father David—He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in
hostilities of his Syrian ally interrupted Baasha's fortlftcations at Uamah, and his death, happening soon after, prevented his resuming them. 7-10. Hananl the seer came to Asa . . . and said—His object was to sliow the king Ills error in forming his recent league with Benhiidad. The prophet represented the appropriation of the temple treasures to purchase the services of the .Syrian mercenaries, as indicating a distrust in God most blameable witli the king's experience, and he added, that in consequence of this want of faith, Asa had lost the opportunity of gaining a victory over tlic united forces of Baasha and Benhadad, more splendid tlian that obtained over the Ethiopians—a victory which, by destroying their armies, would liave deprived them of all power to molest him in future; whereas by his foolish and worldly policy, 80 unworthy of God's vicegerent, to misapply the temple treasures, and corrupt the fielelity of an ally of the king of Israel, he had tempted the cupidity of the one, and increased the hostility of the other, and rendered himself liable to renewed troubles (1 Kings 15. '.i'i). Tills rebuke was pungent and, from its truth and justness, ought to l>ave penetrated and attlicted the heart of such a man as Asa. But his pride was offended at the freedom taken by the honest reprover of royalty, and in a burst of passionate resentment he ordered Ilananl to be tlirown into prison. 10. Asa oppressefl some of the people the same time—What was the form or lU'gree of tills oi)pressl()n, is not recorded. The cause of his oppressing them was, probably, the same olfence as Ilananl—for a strong expression of their dissatisfaction with his conduct In leaguing with Benhadad, or it ni.ay be his niallrealnieul of the Lord's servant. I'i, Asa was . . . diseased In
tlie early part of his reign, before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonoured his character, and sought not nnto Baalim—a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord 0(x\ of his father, and not after the doings of Israel—he observed with scrujiulous
fidelity, and employed his royal Influence to support the Divine institutions as enacted by Moses, abliorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that formed now the establislied religion in Israel. Being thus far removed, alike from gross idolatry and Israelitisli apostasy, and adhering zealously to the retiuirements of the Divine law, the blessing of God rested on his government; for, rulint; In the fear of God, and for the good of his subjects, "the Lord established the kingdom In his luind." all .Tudali brought . . . presents—This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a rei-jn (1 Sanuu>l 10
27), and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards. They were given In the form of voluntary
oll'erings, to avoid the odious Idea of a tax or tribute. 6. his heart was lifted tip In the ways of the I^ord—full of faith and piety, he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners, to suppress all Iho works and objects of Idolatry (see on ch. '20. 3:1), and held out i)ublic encouragement to the pure worship of God.
7-11. IlK Skni)8 IjKVite.s to Teaiii in Judah. 7-11. Also ill the thlixl year of his reign he sent to his princes, to teach In the cities of .Tiidah—The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests. But extraordinary commisslonin-s were appointed, probably toa.scertain whether the work had been <lone or neglected. This deputation of five princes, assisted by two priests and nine Lev lies, were to make a circuit of the towns in Judah ; and
Ills feet—Probably the gout, his disease was exeeedln^ great — Better, "moved upwards" in his body, wbi<!ii proves the violent and dangerous tyi)e of the malady.
It Is the llrst practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the
}'ct In his disease he sou{(ht not to the I^ord, Imt to the physicians — Most probably Kgyptlan physicians, who were anciently In high repute; at foreign courts, and who pretended to expel diseases by charms, incantations, and mystic arts. Asa's fault consisted in his trusting to such physicians, while he neglected to supplicate the aid and oiessing of Ood. The best and holiest men have been betrayed for a time into sins, but tlirough repentance have
])eople. Time and unbroken opportunities were airorded fori-arrying fully out tills excellent plan of home educa-
tion, for the kingdom enjoyed Internal traiuiulllty n( well as freedom from foreign wars. It Is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace tills profound peace to the " fear of the liOrd having fallen on all kingdoms of the lanils that were round about Judah." the book of the law—1. c, either the whole Pentateuch
Jchoshapkat Visits his Kingdom. 2 CHRONICLES XVIII—XX. He Proclaims a Fast.
preme court, which sat In Jerusalem to review appellate cases from the inferior courts. It consisted of two divisions: the first of wliich had jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters; the second, in civil, fiscal, and criminal cases. According to others, the two divisions of the supreme court adjudicated the one according to the law contaim^i in the sacred books, the other to tlie law of custom and equity, as in Eastern countries at the present day, the written and unwritten law are objects of separate jurisdiction.
or only the book of Deuteronomy, which contains an abridsment of it. 11. Also some of the Pltiltstlnes brought Jehoshaphat presents, and trllmte sliver
Eitlier they liad been his triljutaries, or tliey were de-
sirous of securing his valuable friendship, and now made a voluntary ofTer of tribute. Perhaps thfy were the Phil-
istines who had submitted to the yolce of David (2 Samuel
8.1; Psalm 60.8). the Arabians—tlie nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea, who, seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom, paid their tribute In the way most suitable to their pastoral habits—the tale of so many heads of cattle.
Ver. 1-21. Jehoshaphat, Invaded by the Moabites, Proclaims a Fast. 1. the children of Moab . . . A>nmon, and with them otlier beside the Ammonites supposed to be rather the name of a certain people called Mohammonim or Mehunim (cli. 26. 7), who dwelt in Mount Seir—eitlier a branch of the old Edomite race, or a separate trilje wlio were settled there. 2. from beyond sea, on this side Syria— Instead of Syria, some versions read "Edom," and many able critics prefer this reading, both because the nomad tribes here mentioned were far from Syria, and because express mention is made of Mount Seir, i. e., Edom. The meaning then is, that this confederate horde was composed of the difTerenl tribes
12-19. His Gkeatness, Captains, and Armies. 14. these are the numbers—the warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers' houses. The army of Jehoshaphat, commanded by five great generals, and consisting of five unequal divisions, comprised eleven hundred and sixty thousand men, witliout including those who garrisoned the fortresses. No monarch, since the time of Solomon, equalled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue—in the strength of his fortifications, and
the number of his troops.
Vcr. 1-3J. Jehoshaphat AND Ahab go against RamOTH-GlLEAD. 2. after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria—This is word for word, tlie same as 1 Kings 22. (See commentary on tliat chapter.)
tliat inhabited the far distant regions bordering on tlie northern and eastern coasts of the Red Sea. Their progress was apparently by tlie southern point of the Dead Sea, as far as En-gedi, which, more .anciently, was called Hazezon-tamar (Genesis 14. 7). This is tlie uniform route taken by the Araijs in their marauding expeditions at the present day; and in coming round tlie soutliern end of the Dead Sea, thej' can penetrate along tlie low-lying Ghor far north, withfmt letting their movements be known to the tribes and villages west of the mountain cliain. [Robinson.] Thus, anciently, the invading horde in Jehoshaphat's time had marched as far north as En-gedi, before intelligence of their advance was conveyed to tlie court. En-gedi is recognized in the modern Ainjidy, and is situated at a point of the western shore, nearly equi-distant from both extremities of the lake. [Robinson.] 3, 4. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all dah—Alarmed by the intelligence, and conscious of liis total inability to repel this host of invaders, Jehoshaphat
Ver. 1^. Jehoshaphat Visits his Kingdom. 1. Jehoshaphat returned to his hotise in peace—(.See on ch.
IS. 16.) Not long after he had resumed the ordinary functions of royalty in Jerusalem, he was one day disturbed by an unexpected and ominous visit from a prophet of the Lord. This was Jehu, of whose father a notice occurred (ch. 16. 7). He tiimself had been called to discharge the prophetic office .in Israel; but probably for his bold rebuke to Baaslia (1 Kings 16. 1), had been driven by that arbitrary monarch within the territory of Judah, where we now find him with the privileged license of his order, taking the same religious supervision of Jehoshaphat's proceedings, as he had formerly done of Baasha's. At the interview here described, he condemned in tlie sti'ongest terms, the king of Judah's imprudent and incongruous league with Alialj—God's open enemy (1 Kings 22.2)—as an unlioly alliance that would be conducive neither to the lionour and comfoi't of his house nor to the best interests of liis kingdom; and he apprised Jelioshaphat that, on account of that grave offence, " wrath was upon hiin from before the Lord ;" a judgment that was inflicted soon after (see on ch. 20). The prophet's rebuke, however, was administered in a mingled strain of severity and mildness; for he Interposed " a nevertheless" (v. 3), which implied that the threatened storm would lie averted, in token of tlie Divine approval of his public efforts for the promotion of the true religion, as well as of the sincere piety of his personal character and life. 4. he went out again through the people—This means his re-appointing the commissioners of public instruction (cli. 17. 7-9), perliaps wltli new powers and a larger staff' of assistants to overtake every part of the land. The complement of teachers required for that purpose would he easily obtained from the whole tribe of Levites being now concentrated within the kingdom of .fudali.
felt his only refuge was at tlie horns of tlie altar. He resolved to employ the aid of his God, and, in conformity with this resolution, summoned his whole subjects to observe a solemn fast at the sanctuary. It was customary with the Hebrew kings to proclaim fastsin perilous circumstances, either in a city, a district, or througiiout the entire kingdom, according to the greatness of the emergency. On this occasion, it was a universal fast, which extended to infants (ii. 13; see also Joel 2. 1.5, 16; Jonah 3.7). 513. Jehoshapliat stood in tlie house of the Lord, before the new court—t. c, the great or outer court (ch. 4. 9) called the new court, proliably from having been at that time enlarged or beautified. 6. and said, O Lord God of our fathers—This earnest and impressive prayer embraces every topic and argument which, as king and representative of tlie chosen people, he could urge; and then concludes with an earnest appeal to tlie justice of Gfid to protect those who, without provocation, were attacked, and who were unable to defend themselves against overwhelniingnnmbers. 14-18. Then upon Jahastiel . . . camethe spirit of the Lord—This prophet is not elsewhere mentioned, but his cl.aini to the inspiration of a prophetic spirit was verified by the calm and distinct announcement he gave, both of tlie manner and the completeness of the deliverance he predicted. 10. they came up by the cliff of Ziz—This seems to have been nothing else tliaii the present pass which leads northw.ards, by an ascent from En-gedi to Jerusalem, issuing .a little bi'low Tekoa. The wildeiness of Jeruel was, probably, the huge Hat (Iislvi<-t adjoining the desert of Ti koa, called el-Hiisiisah, Iroiii a wady on its tiorthern side. (KoiiiNSoN.] is, Jelioslmpbat bowed Ills head . . . and all Judah, i<:c.—This altitude was expressive of reverence to God and His Word. n( confidence in His promise, and thankfulness for so e.xtia-
.5-7. His Ixstkuctions to the Judges. 5-7. he set Judges in tlie land—There had been judicial courts es-
tul)Ilslied at an early period. But Jelioshaphat was the first king wlio modified tliese institutions according to tlie circumstances of the now fragmentary kingdom of Judah.
He fixed local courts in each of the fortified cities, tliese being the provincial capitals of every district (see on l>euteronomy 16. 18-20).
8-11. To the Priests and Levites. 8. set of the Le- >lleg . . . priests and chief of the fathers of Israel—
oerialn number of tliese inree classes constituted a su-
The Overthrow of Jehoshaphat's Enemies. 2 CHRONICLES XXI. Revolt of Edam and Libnuh.
ordinary a favour. 19. the licvltcs stood up to praise the Lord—Doubtless by the king's command; and tlieir anthem was sung with such a Joyful acclaim as sliowed that they universally regarded the victory as already
but the ships, when just ofl^ tlie docks, were wreclied in
tlie rocky creek gf Ezion-geber.
CHAPTEE XXI.
oljtained. 20, $21. asthcy went forth, .lehoshaphat stood
Ver. 1-4. Jehoram SucCEEns Jehoshaphat. l. Jehoshaphat slept witli his fathers .. . . Jehoram reigiie<1 —The late king left seven sons ; two of tliem are in our version named Azariali ; but in the Hebrew they appear considerably different, the one being spelt Azariah, and the other Azariahu. Though Jelioshaphat had made his family arrangements with prudent precaution, and wliile he divided tlie functions of royalty in his lifetime (cf. 2 Kings
. . . Hear me, O Judah, aiid ye Inhabitants of Jfnisalein—Probably in the gate of Jerusalem, tlie place of general rendezvous; and as the people were on tlie eve of setting out, he exhorted them to repose implicit trust in the Lord and His prophet, not to be timid or desponding at sight of the enemy, but to remain firm in the confident
assux'ance of a miraculous deliverance, without their striking a single stroke, he appointed singers . . . that
tliey should praise ... as they went before the aniiy —Having arranged the line oS^ procession, he gave the signal to move forwards; when the Levites, leading the
8. 16), as well as fixed the succession to the throne in liis eldest son, he appointed each of tlie others to the government of a fenced city, thus pi'oviding them with an honourable independence. But hisgood intentions were frustrated ; for no sooner did Jelioram find himself in the sole possession of sovereign power than, from jealousy, or on account of their connections, he murdered all his brotli-
van with their musical instruments, and singing the
13Hth Psalm, the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory.
22-30. The Overthkow of his Enemies. 22. when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set abiishments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and DIount Selr—Some think that this was done by angels in human form, whose sudden appearance diffused an uncontrollable panic; others entertain the more probable opinion that, in the camp of this vast horde, composed of different tribes, jealousies and animosities had sprung up, which led to wide-spread dissensions and fierce feuds, in wliich they drew the sword against eacli other. The consequence was, that as the mutual strife commenced when the Hebrew procession set out from Jerusalem, the work of destruction was completed before Jehoshaphat and his people arrived at the battlefield. Thus easy is it
ers, together with some leading influential persons who, he suspected, were attached to their interest, or would avenge their deaths. Similar tragedies have been sadly frequent in Eastern courts, where the Heir of the crown looks upon his brothers as his most formidable enemies, and is therefore tempted to secure his power by their death.
5-7. His Wicked Reign. 6. he walked ... as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Aliab to wife— Tiie precepts and examples of his excellent father were soon obliterated by his matrimonial alliance
witli a daughter of the royal liouse of Israel. Through the influence of Athaliah he abolished the worship of the Lord, and encouraged an introduction of all the corruptions prevalent in the sister kingdom. The Divine vengeance was denounced against him, and would have utterly destroyed him and his house, had it not been for a tender regard to the promise made to David (2 Samuel 7.; 2 Kings S. 19).
for God to make the wrath of man to praise Him, to confound tlie counsels of His enemies, and employ tlieir own passions in defeating the machinations tliey liave devised
for the overthrow of His Church and people. 24. wlien Jndah came to the watch-tower In the wilderness
8-17. Edom anb Libnah Revolt. 8. the Kdomites revolted—That nation had been made dependent by David, and down to the time of Jelioshaphat was governed by a tributary ruler (1 Kings 22.47; 2 Kings 3.9). But that king having been slain in an insurrection at home, his successor thought to ingratiate himself with his new sub-
Jlost prol)ably the conical hill, Jebel Fereidis, or Frank Mountain, from the summit of whicli tliey obtained the
first view of the scene of slaughter. Jelioshaphat and his people found tlie field strewed witli dead bodies, so that they had not to fight at all, but to take possession of an immense booty, the collection of wliich occupied three days. On the fourth they set out on their return to Jerusalem in the same order and joyful mood as they came. The place where they mustered previous to departure was, from their public thanksgiving service, called, "Tlie Valley of Berachah" (benediction), now Wady Bcreikut.
jects by raising the flag of independence. [Josephus.] The attempt w.as defeated in the first instance by Jehoram, wlio possessed all the military establishments of his father; but being renewed unexpectedly, the Edomltes succeeded in completely emancipating theircouutry from the yoke of Judah (Genesis 27. 40). Libnah, which lay on
31-37. His Beign. 31. Jehoshaphat reigned over .Tudah—(See ch. 24. 1.) 32. he walked in tlie way of Asa his father, and departed not from it—He was more steadfast and consistently religious (cf. ch. 15. 18). 3.3. the high places were not taken away—Those on which Idolatry was practised were entirely destroyed (ch. 17.6), but tliose where the people, notwithstanding the oroctlou of the temple, continued to worship the true God, prudence required to be slowly and gradually aliolislicd. In deference to popular prejudice. .35-37. after tills did .Tehosliaphat . . . Join himself witli Aliazinli . . . lo iiinke ships—A combined fleet was built at Ezloii-gchi r, the destination of which was to voyage to Tartcssus, but It was wrecked. Jehoshaphat's motive for entering into this partnership was to secure a free passage tliiough Israel, for the vessels were to be conveyed across tlio Isthmus of 8ucz, and to sail to the west of Europe from oni^ of the ports of I'alestlne on the Mediterranean. Kliezar, a prophet, denounced this unholy alliance, and foretold, as Divine judgment, the total wreck of the whole fleet. The consequence was, thatalthough Jehosliapliat lirokeott—In ol)edience to the Divine will—his league wit h Ahazlah, ho formed a new scheme of a merchant fleet, ap,l Aliiiziali wislied to be a<lniltted a partner. Tlie proposal of the Israelitlsh king was respectfully declined. The destination of this new fleet was to Ophlr, because the Israelltlsli seaports were not accessible to him for the Tartcssus trade;
tlie southern frontier and towards Edom, followed the example of that ciniiitry. 12-1.'». there came a writing to Iilm fk-om Elljali—That prophet's translation having taken place In the reign of Jehoshaphat, wemustconclude that tiie name of FMlJah has, by the error ofa transcriber,
lieeii put for that of Ellsha. 13. hast made Judali and the inhabitants of Jeriisnlein . . . like the whoredoms of tlie liousc of Ahab—i. p.. Introduced tliesujier-
stltlons and vices of Phfrnldan Idolatry (see on Deuteronomy 13.6-11). On this account, as well as forlils uiiiiatn-
rnl cruelties, Divine vengeance was denounced against
liini, whlcli was soon after executed exactly as the prophet had for(>told. A series of overwhelming calamities befel
this wl<-ked king; for In addition to tlie revolts already mentioned, two neighbouring tribes (see eh. 17.11) made
hostile Incui'sions on the southi>rn and western portions of his kingdom; his country was ravaged, his capital taken, his jialaco plundered, his wives carried oil', all ills children slain except the youngest, himself was seized
witli an incurable dysentery, which, after subjecting hlru
to the most painful suffering for the unusual period of two years, carried him olf, a monument of the Divine judgment; and, to complete his degradation, his death was unlamented, his burial unhoiioured by his subjects. This usage, similar to what obtained in Egypt, seems to have
orejil in among the Hebrews, of giving funeral honours to
Ahaziah Reigns Wickedly. 2 CHRONICLES XXII, XXIII. Joash Made King.
outer wall, and all within the outer wall was often called the temple. Jehoiada and his family resided in one of these apartments.
their kings, or withholding them, according to the good or bad characters of their reign.
Ver. 1-9. Ahaziah, Succeeding, Reigns Wickedly.
Ver. 1-11. Jehoiada Makes Joash King. 1. In the seventh year Jehoiada . . . took the captains of liuiidreds, &c,—(Seeon2Kingsll.4, 17.) 'The fiveoflicers mentioned here had been probably of the royal guard, and were known to be strongly disafl'ected to the government of Athaliali. 2. chief of tlie fathers of Israel—Tliis name is frequently used in Chronicles for Judali and Benjamin, now all that remained of Israel. Having cautiously entrusted the secret of the young prince's preservation to all the leading men in the kingdom, he enlisted their interest in the royal cause, and got their pledge to support it by a secretoath of fidelity, they came to Jerusalem—Tlie time chosen for the grand discovery was, probably, one of the annual festivals, when there was a general concourse of the nation at the capital. This is the thing that ye shall do—The arrangements made for defence are here described. The people were divided into three bodies; one attended as guards to the king, while the otlier two were posted at all the doors and gates, and the captains and military officers who entered the temple unarmed to
I. tlie inhabitants of Jerusalem made Aliaziah . . . king—Or Jehoaliaz (cli. 21. 17). All his elder brothers haviag been slaughtered by the Arab marauders, the tlirone of Judah rightfully belonged to him as the only legitimate heirof Joram. 'Z. Forty and two years old was Ahazlah wlien he began to reign—(of. 2 Kings 8. 26). According to that passage, the commencement of his reign
Is dated In the twenty-second year of liis age, and, according to this, in the forty-second year of the kingdom of liis mother's family. [Lightfoot.] " If Ahaziah ascended the throne in the twenty-second year of his life, lie must have been born in liis father's nineteenth year. Hence, it may seem strange tliat he had elder brothers; but in tlie East they marry early, and royal princes had, besides the wife of the first rank, usually concubines, as Jehoram had
(ch. 21. 17) ; he might, therefore, in the nineteenth year of his age, very well have several sons " [Keil] (cf. ch. 21. 20; 2 Kings 8. 17). Athaliah, the dauglkter of Omri—More properly, grand-daugliter. The expression is used loosely, as the statement was made simply for the purijose of intimating that she belonged to that idolatrous race. 3, 4.
lull suspicion, were furnished with weapons out of tlie sacred armoury, where David had deposited his trophies of victory, and which was reopened on this occasion.
Itis mother was his counsellor . . . they were liis counsellors—The facile king surrendered himself wliolly to tlie influence of liis motlier and her relatives. Athaliah and her son introduced a universal corruption of morals, and made idolatry the religion of the court and tlie nation. By them he was induced not only to conform to tlie religion of the northern kingdom, but to join a new expedition against Ramoth-gilead (see on 2 Kings 9. 10). 5. went ... to war against Hazael, king of Syria—It may be mentioned as a very minute and tlierefore important confirmation of tliis part of the sacred history, that the names of Jeliu and Hazael liis contemporary have both been found on Assyrian sculptures ; and there is also a notice of Ithbaal, king of Sidon, who was the father of Jezebel. 6'. Azariali went down--t. e., from Ramothgilead, to visit the king of Israel, who was lying ill of his wounds at Jezreel, and fled there on tlie alarm of Jehu's rebellion. 9. lie sought Ahaziah, and caught lilm (for he was hid in Samaria)—(cf. 2 Kings 9.27-29). Tlie two accounts are easily reconciled. "Ahaziah fled first to the garden-house and escaped to Samaria; but was here, where he had hid himself, taken by Jehu's men wlio pursued him, brought to Jehu, who was still near or in Jez-
8. Jehoiada . . . dismissed not the courses—As it was necessary to have as large a disposable force as he could command on such a crisis, the high priest detained those who, in other circumstances, would have returned home on the expiry of their week of service. 11. then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave to him the testimony—Some tliink tliat the original word rendered "testimony," as its derivation warrants, may signify here the regalia, especially the bracelet (2 Samuel 1. 10); and this view they support on the ground that "gave him" being supplemented, the text properly runs thus, "put upon him the crown and testimony." At the same time, it seems equally pertinent to take " the testimony" in the usual acceptation of that term; and, accordingly, many are of opinion that a roll containing a copy of the law (Deuteronomy 17. 18) was placed in the king's hands, which he held as a sceptre or truncheon; while others, referring to a custom of Orien-
tal people, when receiving a letter or document from a highly respected quarter, lifting it up to their heads before opening it, consider that Joash, besides the crown, had the book of the law laid upon his head (see Job 31. 35, 36). God save tlie king lit., Long live the king.
reel, and at his command slain at the hill Gur, beside Ibleam,in his chariot; that is, mortally wounded with an arrow, so that he, again fleeing, expired at Megiddo." [Keil.] Jehu left the corpse at the disposal of tlie king of Judah's attendants, who conveyed it to Jerusalem, and out of respect to his grandfather Jehoshapliat's memory, gave him an honourable interment in the tombs of the ki ngs. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep
12-1.5. AthALIAH Slain. 13. when Atlialiah heard the noise of the people—The unusual commotion in<licated by the blast of the trumpets, and the vehement acclamations of the people, drew her attention, or excited her fears. She might have flattered herself tliat, having slain all the royal family, she was in perfect security; but it is just as likely that, finding on reflection, one had escaped her murderous hands, she might not deem itexpedient to institute any inquiries; but tlie very idea would keep her constantly in a state of jealous suspicion and irritation. In that state of mind, the wicked usurper, hearing across the Tyropceon tlie outburst of popular joy, rushed across the bridge to the temple grounds, and, penetrating from a single glance the meaning of tlie whole scene, raised a shriek of "Treason !" 13. behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in—Tlie king's pillar was in the people's court, opposite that of the priests'. The youn^ king," arrayed in the royal insignia; had been brought out of the inner, to stand forth in tlie outer court, to the public view. Some think that he stood on the brazen scallold of Solomon, erected beside the pillar. 14, 15. Slay lier not in the house of the Lord . . . And when she was come to the entering of the horse-gate by the king's hou«e, they slew her there—The high priest ordered her imiiKdiately to be taken out of the temple grounds and
still the kingdom—His children were too young to assume the reins of government, and all the other i-oyal princes had been massacred by Jehu (v. 8).
10-12. Athaliah, Destroying the Seed-Royal, Save Joash, Usurps the Kingdom. 10. Atlialiali . . . arose and destroyed all tlie seed-royal—(See on 2 Kings 11. 1-.S.) Madd<!ned by the massacre of tlie royal family of Aliab,
slie resolved that the royal house of David sliould have the same fate. Knowing the commission wliicli Jehu had received to extirpate the whole of Ahab's posterity, she expected that he would extend his sword to her. Anticipating his movements, she resolved, as her only defence and security, to usurp the llirone and destroy "the seed-royal," both because they were hostile to the Phcenlcian worship of Baai.wliich she was determined
to uphold, and because, if one of tlie young princes became king, his mother would supersede Athaliati in the dignity of queen-mother, lii. he was with tliem liid in
tlie linuse of God—Certain persons connected with the priesthood had a right to occupy the buildings in tlie
277 .
Joash Falls into Idolatry. 2 CIIPvONICLES XXIV, XXV. He ts Slain by his i>eriant$.
and especially their unwillingness to collect the money, as well as apply a portion of their revenues for the repairs of the temple, had alienated and disgusted him. [Leclbrc] 19. Yet he sent prophets—Elisha, Micah, Jehu son of Hanani, Jahaziel son of Zechariah (ch. 20,14), Eliezar son of Dodavah (ch. 20.37), lived and taught at that time. But all their prophetic warnings and denunciations were unheard and unheeded. 20. the Spirit of God came npon Zechariali, the son of .Telioiada probably a younger son, for his name does not occur in the list of Aaron's successors (1 Chronicles 6). stood above the people—Being of the priestly order, he spoke from the inner court, which was considerably higher than that of the people, and said nnto tliein. Thus salth God,
pnt to death ; "anct they laid h .nds on tier, and she went by the way by the wliich lior.ses came into the king's house, and there she was slum" (2 Kings 11. Iti). "Now, we are not to stippose that horses caine into" tlie king's house "of residence, but into the king's (horses') house or liippodronie (tlie gate of the king's mules) [Josephus],
lie had built lor them on the south-east of the temple, in
tlie iinmediate vicinity of the horse-gate in the valley of Kedi-on—a valley which was at that time a kind of desecrated place l)y the destruction of idols and their appurtenances" ('2 kings '23. 2, 6, 12). [Bakclay's City of the (iREAT King.]
IH. Jbhoiada Restores the Worship of God, and SettIjES the King. 10. Jelioiada innde a covenant
'%Vh>' transgress ye tlie commandments of the Loixl, that ye cannot prosper, &c.—His near relationship to the king might have created a feeling of delicacy and reluctance to Interfere; but at length he, too, was prompted by an irresistible impulse to protest against the prevailing impiety. The bold freedom and energy of his remonstrance, as well as his denunciation of the nation.al calamities that would certainly follow, were most unpalatable to the king; while they so roused the tierce passions of the multitude that a band of miscreants, at the secret, instigation of Joash, stoned him to death. This deed of violence involved complicated criminality on the part of the king. It was a horrid outrage on a prophet of the Lord-base ingratitude to a family who had preserved his
(See on 2 Kings 11. 17.) CHAPTER XXIV.
Ver. 1-1-1. JoASH Reigns Wei>l all, the Days of Jehoiada. 1-3. Joash began to reign—(See on 2 Kings
12. l-o.) .Jehoiada took for him two wives—As Jehoiada was now too old to contract such new alliances, the generality of interpreters apply this statement to the young king. 4-14. Joasli was minded to repair the liouse of
tl»e Lord—(See on 2 Kings 12. 4-l(i.)
1), Hi. Jehoiada BEING Dead. 15, 16. Jaholatla waxed old . . . and died—His life protracted to unusual longevity.and spent intheservice of his country, deserved some tribute of public gratitude, and this was rendered in the posthumous honours that were bestowed on him. Among the Hebrews, intramural interment was prohibited in every city but Jerusalem, and there the exception was made only to thjB royal family and persons of eminent merit, on whom the distinction was conferred of being buried in the city of David, among the kings, as ii. the case of Jehoiada.
life—atrocious treatment of a true Hebrew patriot—an
illegal and unrighteous exercise of his power and au-
thoritjas a king. 33. when lie died, he said, TJie T^iord look npon it and require it^—These dying words, if they implied a vindictive imprecation, exhibit a striking contrast to the spirit of the first Christian martyr (Acts 7. fiO). But, instead of being the expression of a personal wish, they might be the utterance of a prophetic doom.
17-'22. Joash Falls into Idolatry. 17-33. Now iip came the princes of Jiidali, and made obeisance to tlie king— Hitherto, while Joash occupied the throne, his uncle had held the reins of sovereign power, and by his
23-27. He is Slain hy his Servants. 33. nt the end of tlie year tl>e host of Syria came up—This invtisioa took place under the personal conduct of Hazael, whom Joash, to save the miseries of a siege, prev.ailed on to withdraw his forces by a large present of gold (2 Kings
e.'ccellent counsejs had directed the young king to such measures as were calculated to promote both the civil and religious interests of the country. The fervent piety, practical wisdom, and intlexilile firmness of that sage counsellor exerted immense influonce over all classes. But now that the helm of the state-ship was no longer steered by the sound head and lirm hand of the venerable high priest, the real merits of Joash's administration ap-
12. IS). Most probabl.v, also, he promisetl the pa.vinent of an annual tribute, on the neglect or refusal of which tho Syrians returned the following .vear, and with a mere handful of men inflicted a total and humiliating defeat on the collected force of the Hebrews. 35. they left him In sore diseases—The close of his life was embittered a painful malad.v, which long confined him to bed. his own servants consplMtl against him—These twi> conspirators (whose fathers were Jews, but tlieir mothers aliens) were prol)al)ly ci>urtiers, who, having (XMistanfc access to the l)ed-chamher, could the more easily execute their design, for the blood of the sons—read "the son" of Jehoiada. Public opinion .seems to have a.scribed the disasters of his life and reign to that foul crime, and as the king had long lost the esteem and respect of his subjects, neither horror nor sorrow was expressed for his niiserable end •
])( ar; aii<l lor want of good and enlightened principle, as well as, perhaps, of natural energy of character, he allowed himself to be borne onward in a course which soon wrecked I lie vessel upon hidden rocks, the king hearkened nnto tliem, >tc.—They were secretly attaclu'd to Idolatr.y, and their elevated rank allbrds sad proof how extensively and deeply the nation had become corrupled during the reigns of Jelioram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah. With strong professions of allegiance the.v humbly requested that they might not be subjected to the continued necessit,v of frequent and expensive journeys to Jerusalem, but allowed the privilege their falhers had enjoyed of worshipping God in higli places at home; and they framed their jx^tition in this plausible! and least olfensive manner, well knowing that, if excused attendance at the temple, they might.—without risk of di.scovory or disturbance—indulge their tastes in the obsorvanco of any private rites they ph^astMl. The weakTinlnded king griinted their petition; and the coii.seqvieiUM! was, that when they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, tlicy soon " served groves and Idols." wratli came upon Jndalk and .Ie«tsalem—The particular mention of Jerusalem as involved in the sin implies that the neglect of