Chapter XXV
Ver. 1-1. Ama/,iah liEGiNS TO Ueion Well. 1. Amnziah was twenty and live ycni>i old, &c.— (See on 2 Kings 4. l-fi.)
r>-10. Having Hired an Army of Israelitf.s against the Kdomites, at the Word oe a Pijophet hk 1a)se.s AN HlTNDRKI) TALENI-S AND DISMISSES THEM. 5. Ama-
zlalt made ca]italns, Ac.—.Vs all who were capable of bearing arms were liable to serve, It was (juUe natural In making up tho muster-roll to class them according to their respective families, and to apjiolnt the olllcers of each corps from the saiui! (iiiarter; so that all the soldle-8 who formed a reglm(>iit wen; brothers, relatives, friends. Thus the Hebrew troops were doiel.v linked tcwMher, and had strong Inducements to keep stead.v In their ranks, fouiifl them Ihrec hundred thoiisnnil choice men—This was only a I'ourlli part of Jehosliaphal's army
lh<5 t('mi>leand tin; coiisetiuent idolatr.y received not only the king's toleration, l)ut his sanction; and It naturally occurs to ask how, at his mature age, such a total abandonment of a place; with which all his earl.v recolk'cllons W(!re assotdated can be accounted for. It has been suggested that what he had witnessed of the conduct of many of the priests In the cureless performaiiou of the worsliip,
(ch. 17.11-1!)), showing how sadly the kluttdum of Juduu
Avkuiiak Ocerthrovis llie Edomiles. 2 CHRONICLES XXVI. Uzzitih Suceevdx Itim,
CHAPTER XXVI.
lad, In the space of eighty-two years, been reduced in population by foreign wxirs, no less than by internal corruptions. But the full amount of Amaziah's troops may UOl be here stated. 6. He lilred also an Ituiidred tliousand mighty ineit of valour for au hundred tnleuts of sliver—This sum was paid into the exchequer of Jehoahaz— not ei /en as bounty to the mercenaries who were obliged to serve at the sovereign's call; their remuneration consisting only in the booty tliey might obtain. It was abyut £.50,000 sterling, being 10s. per man. Including officers—a very paltry pay, compared with the bounty given for a soldier in this country. But it must be remembered that in ancient times campaigns were short, and the hazards of the service comparatively small.
Ver. 1-8. UzziAH Succeeds Amaziah, axp IlrciGsa WELL IS THE DAYS OF Zechakiah. 1. Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah—(see on 2 Kings 11. 21, 22;
15. 1-.'!). 2. He built Eloth—or "He it was who ljuilt Elotli." The account of tlie fortifications of tliis port on the Red Sea which Uzziali restored to the kingilom of Judah (ch.Sl. 13), is placed before the chronological notices
{v. 3), either on account of the importance attached to th<» conquest of Eloth, or from the desire of the historian to introduce Uzziah as the king, who wa.s known a.s the conqueror of Eloth. Besides, it indicates that the conquest occurred in the early part of his reign—that it was important as a port, and that Hebrew mercliants maintaine<l the old traile between it and the countries of the East. [Bektheau.] 5. lie sought God in the days of Zevhariah—A wise and pious counsellor, who was skilled in understanding tlie meaning and lessons of the ancient prophecies, and wlio wielded a salutary inlluence over Uzziah. 6, 7. went forth and warred against the Philistines—He overcame them in many engagements dismantled their towns, and erected fortified cities in various parts of tlie country, to keep them in subjection. Jabneh, lliesameas Jal)neel (Joshua 15. 11). Gur-baal is thouglit by some to l)e Gerar, and by others Gcbal. 8. the Ammonittis gave gift^—The countries east of the Jordan became tributary to him, and by tlie rapid succession and extent of his victories, his kingdom extended to the Egyptian frontier.
7, 8. there came a inau of God—sent to dissuade Amaziah fnmi the coui'se he was following, on the ground that "the Lord was not with Isniel." This statement was perfectly intelligible to the king. But the historian, writing long after, thought it might require explanation, and therefore added the comment, "with all the children of Ephraim." Idolatry had long been the prevailing religion in that klngdoin, and Epliraim its headquarters. As to the other part of the prophet's advice {v. 8), considerable obscurity hangs over it, as the text stands; and hence some able critics have suggested the insertion of "not" in the middle clause, so that the verse will be thus: "But if thou wilt go (alone), ^lo, be strong for the battle; God shall mU make thee fall before the enemy." 10. separated them . . . the army out of Israel . . . their anger was kindled against Jndah— Amaziah, who knew his position as the Lord's viceroy, complied with the prophet's counsel, and, consenting to forteit the purcha«e-money of the Israelitish soldiers, discharged them. Exasperated at this treatment, they resolved to indemnify themselves for the loss of their expected booty, and so on their return home they plundered all the towns In their way, committing great havoc both of life and property without any stoppage, as the king of Judah and his army had set out on their expedition (2 Kings 14.7). 11. valley of Salt—This ravine lies to the south of the Dead Sea. The arms of Amaziah, in reward for his obedience to the Divine will, were crowned with victory
9, 10. His BuiLDiXGS. 9. Uzziah built towers In Jerusalem, <tc.—Whence resistance could be made, or missiles ilisehaiged against assailants. The sites of the principal of these towers were—at the corner gate (ch. 25.
23), the north-west corner of the city; at the valley ga to on the west, where the Joppa gate now i. ; at the "turning"'—a curve in the city wall on the easte n side of Zion. The town, at this point, commanded the horse-gate which defended Zion and llie temple hill on the south-east. [Berthbau]. 10. also he built towers in the desert— for the threefold purpose of defence—of observation—and of shelter to his cattle; he dug also a great many wells, for he loved and encouraged all branches of agriculture. Some of these "were in the desert," i. c, in the district to the south-east of Jerusalem, on the west of the Dead Sea, an extensive grazing district "in the low country" lying between the mountains of Judah and the Mediterranean ; "and in the plains," east of the Jordan, within the territory of Reuben (Deuteronomy 4. 43; Joshua 20. 8). in Carmel—This mountain being within the boundary of Israel, did not belong to Uzziah; and as it is here placed in opposition to the vine-bearing mountains, it is probably used, not as a proper name, but to signify, as the word denotes, "fruitful flelds" {Margin.)
ten thousan<l of the Edomites were slain on the field, and as many taken prisoners, who were put to death by precipitation "from the top of the rock." This rock might be situated in the neighbourhood of the battle-fleld, but more probably it formed one of the high craggy clilfs of 8elah (Petra), the capital of the Edomites, whither Amaziah marclied directly from the valley of Salt, and which he captured (2 Kings U. 7). The savage cruelty dealt out to them was either in retaliation for similar barbarities Inflicted on the Hebrews, or to strike terror into so rebellious a people for the future. The mode of execution, by dashing against stones (Psalm 137.9), was common among many ancient nations. 14-16. Amaziah brought the gods of the children of Seir—The Edomites worshipped the sun under different forms and with various
11-15. His HcsT, AND Engines of War. 11-15. an hostof figltting men wlio went out to war by bands He raised a strong body of militia, divided into companies or regiments of uniform amount, which served in rotation. The enumeration was performed by two functionaries expert in the drawing up of military muster-rolls, under the superintendence of Hananiah, one of the high oflicers of the crown. The army consisted of 307,500 picked men, under the command of two thousand gallant oflicers, chiefs or heads of fathers' houses, so that each fathers' house formed a distinct band. They were fully equipped with every kind of military accoutrements, from brazen helmets, a habergeon or coat of mail, to a sling for stones. 15. made engines, invented by cunning men, to slioot arrows and great stones—This is the first notice that occurs in history of the use of machines for throwing projectiles. The Invention is apparently ascribed to the reign of Uzziah, and Pliny expressly says they originated in Syria, he was marvellously Iielped till Ite waa strong—He conducted himself as became the viceroy of the Divine ^King, and prospered.
rites. But burning incense upon altars was a principal act of worship, and this was the very thing Amaziah is described as having with strange infatuation performed. Whether he had been captivated with th« beauty of the images, or hoped by honouring the gods to disarm their spite at him for his conquest and harsh treatment of their votaries, his conduct in establishing these objects of religious homage in Jerusalem was foolish, ignorant, and highly offensive to God, who commissioned a prophet to rebuke him for his apostasy, and threaten him with the calamity that soon after befel him. 16. as he talked with him, &c.—Those who were Invested with the prophetic character were entitled to counsel kings, and Amaziah, had he not been offended by unwelcome truths, would have admitted the claim of this prophet, who was probably the same that had given him counsel previous to the war with Edom. But victory had elated and
1:11 nded him.
10-21. He Invades the Priest's Office, a.nd is Smitten WITH LeI'HOSY. 16-21. he transgressed against the Lordi &c.—(see on 2 Kings 15. 5). Tliis daring auU
17. IT F, Provokes JoASH TO HIS Overthrow. 17. Then Amaziah sent to Jehoahaz . . . Come, let ws see one Jiotiier In the face—(see on 2 Kings 14. 8-20J.
fotham'g Good Reign. 2 CHRONICLES XXVII, XXVIII. 27ie Evil Reign of Ahaz.
sonally Included in the number either of the slain or the captives. The slaughter of 120,(X)0 in one day wivs a terrible calamity, which, it is expressly said (v. fi), was inflicted as a judgment on Judah, "because tUej' had for.saken the Lord God of their fathers." Amontf the slain were some persons of distinction, " Maaseiah the king's son." The sons of Ahaz being too young to take part in a battle, this individual must have Ijeen a younger son of the late king Jotham. " Azrikam, the governor of the house," i. e., the palace; and "Elkanah that was next to the king," i. e.. the vizier or prime minister (Genesis -11. 40; Esther 10. 3) These were all cut down on the field by Zichri, an Israeli-
wicked act Is in both records traced to the intoxicating Influence of overweening pride and vanity. But here Ihe additional circumstances are stated, that his entrance was opposed, and strong remonstj-ances made (1 Chron-
icles 6. 10) by the high priest, who was accompanied by
eiglity inferior priests. Rage and tlireats were the only answers he deigned to return, but God took care to vindicate the sacredness of the priestly office, and at the moment of the king's lifting the censer, struck him with leprosy. The earthquake mentioned (Amos 1. 1) is said to have been felt at the moment. [Josephus.] 21. dwelt lu a several house—in an infirmary. [Bertheau.] 33. tliey burled him ... In the field of tlie burial vvlilch belonged to tlie kings—He was interred not In, but near, the sepulchre of the kings, as the corpse of a leper would have polluted it.
tish warrior, or as some think, ordered to be put to death
after the battle. A vast number of captives also fell into the power of the conquerors; and an equal division of war prisoners being made between the allies, they were sent off under a military escort to the respective capitals of Syria and Israel. 8. the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred tliousand —Tliese captives included a great number of women, boys, and girls, a circumstance which creates a presumption that the Hebrews, like other Orientals, were accompanied in the war by multitudes of non-combatants (see on Judges 4. 8). The report of these " bretlnen," being brought as captives to Samaria, excited general indignation among the better-disposed inhabitants; and Oded, a prophet, accompanied by the princes (v. 12, compared with v. I I), went out, as tlie escort was approaching, to prevent the disgraceful outrage of introducing sucii prisoners, into tlie