Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Jchoash orders the Repair of the Temple. 2 KINGS XII, XIII. Jekoahaz's Wicked Reign over Israel.
moneys destined for the general use of the priests, in the hope that tlie people would be more liberal in their contributions when it was known that their offerings would be devoted to tlie special purpose of making the necessary repairs; and that the duty of attending to tliis work was no longer to devolve on the priests, but to be undertaken by the king. 11-13. they gave the money, being told. Into tlie hands of them that did the work—Tlie king sent his secretary along with an agent of the high priest (2 Chronicles 24. 11) to count the money in tlie cliest from time to time, and deliver the amount to the overseers of the building, who paid the workmen and purchased all necessary materials. The custom of putting sums of certain amount in bags, which are labelled and sealed by a proper officer. Is a common way of using the currency in Turkey and other Eastern countries. 13-16. Howbeit there were not made bowls, &c.—When the repairs of tiie temple had been completed, the surplus was appropriated to the purchase of the temple furniture. Tlie integrity of the overseers of tlie work being undoubted, no account was exacted of the way in which they applied tlie money given to them, while other moneys levied at the temple were left to the disposal of the priests as the law directed (Leviticus 5. 16; Numbers inherent right to It, of which a usurper could not deprive him. Moreover, Jeholada was most probably the high priest, whose official duty it w-as to watch over the due execution of God's laws, and wlio in his present movement, was encouraged and aided by tlie countenance and support of the clilef authorities, botli civil and ecclesiastical, in the country. In addition to all these considerations, he seems to have been directed by an impulse of the Divine Spirit, through the counsels and exhortations of the prophets of the time.
13-16. Athaliah Slain. 13. Athallah heard tHe noise of tlie guard and of tlie people—The profound secresy with wliich the conspiracy had been conducted rendered the unusual acclamations of the vast assembled crowd the more startling, and roused the suspicions of the tyrant, she came Into tlxe temple of the Iord—i. e., the courts, which she was permitted to enter by Jehoiada's directions (v. 8) in order that she might be secured. 14. the king stood by a pillar—or on a platform, erected for that purpose (2 Chronicles 6. 13). 15. without the rangeg —i. e., fences, that the sacred place might not be stained witli human blood.
17. Jehoiada Restorks God's Worship. 17. a covenant between the L>ord and the king and the people The covenant with the Lord was a renewal of the national covenant with Israel (Exodus 19. ; 24. ; " to be unto him a people of inheritance," Deuteronomy 4.6; 27.9). Tlie covenant between the king and the people was the consequence of this, »nd by it the king bound himself to rule according to the Divine law, while the people engaged to submit, to give him allegiance as the Lord's anointed. Tlie Immediate fruit of this renewal of the jovenant was the destruction of the temple and the slaugliter of the priests of Baal (see on ch. 10.27); the restoration of the pure worship of God in all its ancient integrity, and the establishment of the young king on the hereditary throne of Judah.
5. 8). 17, 18. Then Hazael fought against Gatli—(Seeon
2 Chronicles 24. 23, 24.)
19-21. He is Slain. SO. his servants arose . . , and slew Joash In the house of MUlo—(See also 2 Chronicles
24.25.) CHAPTER XIII.
Ver. 1-7. Jehoahaz's Wicked Reign over Israel. 1. Jehoaliaz reigned seventeen years—Under his government, wliicli pursued the policy of his predecessors regarding the support of the calf-worship, Israel's apostasy from tlie true God became greater and more confirmed than in the time of his father Jehu. The national chastisement, when it came, was consequently tlie more severe; and the Instruments employed by the Lord In scourging tlie revolted nation were Hazael and his son and general Bcn-hadad, in resisting whose successive invasions the Israelitish army was sadly reduced and weakened. In the extremity of his distress, Jelioahaz besought the Lord, and was heard, not on his own account (Psalm 66.18; Proverbs 1.28; 15.8), but that of the ancient covenant with the patriarchs (v. 2:i). 4. He saw tlie oppression of Israel—t. e., commiserated the fallen condition of his chosen people. The Divine honour and the interests of true religion required that deliverance should be granted them to check the triumph of tlie idolatrous enemy, and put an end to their blasphemous taunts that God had forsaken Israel (Deuteronomy 32 27; Psalm 12. 4). 5. a saviour—This refers neither to some patriotic defender nor some signal victory, but to the deliverance obtained for Israel by the two successors of Jehoaliaz,
CHAPTER XII.
Ver. 1-18. Jehoash Reigns Well while Jehoiada Lived. 3. Jehoash did that wliich was right in the sight of the Lord—So far as related to his outward actions and the policy of his government. But it is evident from tlie sequel of his history that the rectitude of his administration was owing more to the salutary influence of liis preserver and tutor, Jehoiada, than to the honest and sincere dictates of his own mind. 3. But the high places were not taken away—Tlie popular fondness for the private and disorderly rites performed In the groves and recesses of hills was so inveterate that even the most powerful monarchs had been unable to accomplish their suppression ; no wonder that In tlie early reign of a young king, and after the gross irregularities that had been allowed during the maladministration of Athaliah, the difficulty of putting an end to the superstitions associated with "the high places" was greatly increased. 4. Jehoash said to the priests, Ac.—There is here given an account of the measures which the young king took for repairing tlie temple by the levying of taxes. I. "The money of every one that passeth theaccouunt," viz., half a shekel, as an offering to the Lord" (Exodus 30. 13). 2. "The money that every man Is set at," i. e., the redemption-price" of every one who had devoted lilmself or any thing belonging to him to the Lord, and the amount of which was estimated according to certain rules (Leviticus viz., Joash, who regained all the cities which the Syrians had taken from his father {v. 25); and Jeroboam, who restored the former boundaries of Israel (ch. 14. 25). 6. there remained the grove—Aslierah—the idol set up by Ahab (1 Kings 16.3.3), and whleli ought to have been demolislied (Deuteronomy 7.5). 7. made tltem like the dust In threshing—Threshing In the East is performed in the open air upon a level plot of ground, daubed over with a covering to prevent, as much as possible, the earth, sand, or gravel from rising; a great quantity of them all, notwithstanding this precaution, must unavoidably be taken up with the grain; at the same time the straw is shattered to pieces. Hence it is a most significant figure, frequently employed by Orientals to describe a state of national suffering, little short of extermination (Isaiah 21.10; Mlcah 4.12; Jeremiah 51.3.'!). The figure originated In a barbarous war custom, which Hazael literally followed (Amos 1.3,4; of. 2Samuel 8.111; Judges 8. 7).
27.1-8). 3. Free-will or voluntary offerings made to the sanctuary. The first two were paid annually (see on 2 Chronicles 24. 5). 7-10. Wliy repair ye not the I>reache8 of tlic house I—This mode of collection not proving so productive as was expected, tlie dilatoriness at the priests was the chief cause of the failure, and a new arrangement was proposed. A chest waR placed by the high priest at the entrance into tlie temple, into which the money given by the people for the repairs of the temple wan to be put by the Levltes who kept the door. The object of this chest was to make a separation between tbo money to be raised for the building from the other
8-2.5. JoASii SirccKEDS HIM. 8. hU might—Thls Is particularly noticed In order to show that the grievous oppression from foreign enemies, by which the Isrtielltei were ground down, was not owing to the cowardice or
Tke Reigns of Joash and Amaziah. 2 KINGS XIV. Joash Defeats ArmsicA was confirmed in his hand—It was an act of justice no less than of filial piety to avenge the murder of his father; but it is evident that the two assassins must have possessed considerable weight and influence, as the king was obliged to retain them in his service, and durst not,. for fear of their friends and supporters, institute proceedings against them until his power had been fully consolidated. 6. But the children of the murderers he slew not This moderation, inspired by the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 24. 16), displays the good character of this prince; fdt the course thus pursued towards the families of tlie regicides was directly contrary to the prevailing customs of antiquity, according to which all connected with the criminals were doomed to unsparing destruction.
Imbecility of their king, but solely to the righteous and terrible Judgment of God for their foul apostasy. 12, 13. his mlglit, iv Kerewlthi he fought against Amaziah—
(See on ch. U. 8-14.) The usual summary of his life and reign occurs rather early, and Is again repeated in the account given of tlie reign of the king of Judah (cli. 14. 15). 14-19. Elivha was falleii sick of his sickness tvhereof he died—Every man's Jeath Is occasioned by some disease, and so was Elisha's. But in intimating it, there seems a. contrast tacitly made between him and his pro-
predecessor, who did not die. Joash the king of Israel came dovm unto him, and wept over his face Visited him where he was lying ill of this mortal sickness, and expressed deep sorrow, not from the personal respect he bore for the prophet, but for the incalculable
7. He Smites Edom. 7. He slew of Kdom In the valley of salt ten thousand—In the reign of Joram the Edomites had revolted (see on ch. 8. 20). But Amaziah, determined to reduce them to their former subjection, formed a hostile expedition against them, in which he loss his death would occasion to the kingdom, my father, my father I &c.—(See on ch. 2. 12.) These words seem to have been a complimentary phrase applied to •one who was thought an eminent guardian and deliverer of his country; and the particular application of them to Elisha, who, by his counsels and prayer, had obtained many glorious victories for Israel, shows that the king possessed some measure of faith and trust, which, thougl\ weak, was accepted, and called forth the prophet's dying benediction. 15. Take bow and arrows—Hostilities vere usually proclaimed by a herald, sometimes by a king or general making a public and formal discharge of an arrow into the enemy's country. Elisha directed Joash to do this, as a symbolical act, designed to intimate more fully and significantly the victories promised to the king of Israel over the Syrians. His laying his hands upon the king's hands was to represent the power imparted to the bow-shot as coming from the Lord through the medium of the prophet. His shooting the first arrow eastward— to that part of his kingdom which the Syrians had taken, and which was east of Samariawas a declaration of war against them for the Invasion. His shooting the other arrows into the ground was in token of the number of victories he was to gain; but his stopping at the third betrayed the weakness of his faith ; for, as the discharged arrow signified a victory over the Syrians, it is evident Uiat the more arrows he shot the more victories he would gain; and as he stopped so soon, his conquests would be Incomplete. 20. Elisha died—Enjoying a happier life than Elijah, as he possessed a milder character, and bore a less hard commission—his rough garment was honoured even at tlie court, coming In of the year—i. e., the spring, the routed their army, and made himself master of their capital, the valley of saltis that part of the Ghor which comprises the salt and sandy plain to the south of the Dead Sea. Selah — 2t<., Selah — (rock) generally thought to be Petra. Joktheel i. e., given or conquered by God. See the history of this conquest.more fully detailed
(2 Chronicles 25. 6^16).
8-16. JOASH Defeats Him. 8. Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, theson of Jehoaha'f, son of Jehu, king of Israel—This bold and haughty challenge, which was most probably stimulated by a desire of satisfaction for the outrages perpetrated by the discharged auxiliaries of Israel (2 Chronicles 25. 13) on the towns that lay in their way home, as well as by revenge for the massacre of his ancestors by Jehu (ch. 9.) sprang, there is little doubt, from pride and self-confidence, inspired by his victory over the Edomites. 9. Jehoash the king of Israel gent to Amaziah—People in the East very often express their sentiments in a parabolic form, especially when they intend to convey unwelcome truths or a contemptuons sneer. This was the design of the admonitory fable related by Joash in his reply. The thistle, a low shrub, might l?e chosen to represent Amaziah, a petty prince; the cedar, the powerful sovereign of Israel, and the wild beast that trode down the thistle the overwhelming army with which Israel could desolate Judah. But, perhaps, without making so minute an ajjplication, the parable may be explained generally, as describing in a striking manner the efl["ects of pride and ambition, towering far beyond their natural sphere, and sure to fall with a sudden and ruinous crash. The moral of the fable is contained in u. 10. 11. But Amaziah would not hear—The sarcastic tenor of this reply incited the king of Judah the more ; for, being in a state of Judicial blindness and infatuation (2 Chronicles osoal season of beginning campaigns in ancient times. Predatory bands from Moab generally made incursions at that time on the lands of Israel. The bearers of a corpse,' alarmed by the appearance of one of these bands, hastily deposited, as they passed that way, their load in Elisha's sepulchre, which might be easily done by removing the stone at the mouth of the cave. According to the Jewish and Eastern custom, his body, as well as that of the man who was miraculously restored, was not laid In a coffin, but only swathed; so that the bodies could be brought into contact; and the object of the miracle was to stimulate the king's and people of Israel's faith in the still unaccomplished predictions of Elisha respecting the war with the Syrians. Accordingly the historian forthwith records the historical fulfilment of the prediction (v. 22-25), In the defeat of the enemy. In the recovery of the cities that had been taken, and their restoration to the kingdom of Israel.
25. 20), he was Immovably determined on war. But the superior energy of Joash surprised him ere he had completed his military preparations. Pouring a numerous army into the territory of Judah, he encountered Amaziah in a pitched battle, routed his army, took himself prisoner, and having marched to Jerusalem, not only demolished part of the city walls, but plundered the treasures of the palace and temple, and taking hostages to prevent any further molestation from Judah, terminated the war. Without leaving a garrison in Jerusalem, he returned to his capital with all convenient speed, his presence and whole forces being required to repel the troublesome Incursions of the Syrians.
CHAPTER XIV.
17-20. He is Slain by a Conspiracy. 19. they mada a conspiracy against Ikim in Jerusalem—Ama/.iah'S apostasy (2 Chronicles 25. 27) was followed by a general maladministration, especially the disastrous issue of the war with Israel—the ruinous condition of Jerusalem, the plunder of the temple, and the loss of their children who were taken as hostages—lost him the respect and attachment not of the grandees only, but of his subjects generally, who were In rebellion. The king fied in terror to Lacliiuh, a fi-ontier town of the Philistines, where, however, he was traced and murdered. His friends hm) bin corpse brought without any pomp or ceremony, In a 239
Ver. 1-6. Amaziah's Good Reiqn over Judah. 3-€. Be did that which was right in the sight of tl»e Lord, yet not like David his father—The beginning of his reigu was exc(tllent, for he acted the part of a constitutional king, according to the law of God, yet not with perfect •Incerlty of heart (cf. 2 Chronicles 25. 2), for, as In the case of his father Joaah, the early promise was belled by the devious course he personally followed In later life (see on J Chronicles 20. 14), as well as by the public Irregularities
Q« tolerated In the kingdom. 5. as soon as the kingdom