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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>2 Kings 14 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/2_kings/14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/2_kings/14.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcom/2_kings/14-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="/commentaries/">Commentary</a> > <a href="../">Ellicott</a> > <a href="../2_kings/">2 Kings</a></div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../2_kings/13.htm" title="2 Kings 13">◄</a> 2 Kings 14 <a href="../2_kings/15.htm" title="2 Kings 15">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</div><div class="chap"> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-1.htm">2 Kings 14:1</a></div><div class="verse">In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.</div><span class= "bld">XIV.<p>THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH IN JUDAH, AND OF JEROBOAM II IN ISRAEL.</span><p>(1-17) <span class= "bld">THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH</span>. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 25)<p>(2) <span class= "bld">Jehoaddan.</span>—The Hebrew text, which is supported by the LXX., has <span class= "ital">Jehoaddin</span> (perhaps, “Jehovah is delight;” comp. <a href="/isaiah/47-8.htm" title="Therefore hear now this, you that are given to pleasures, that dwell carelessly, that say in your heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:">Isaiah 47:8</a>, and the Divine name <span class= "ital">Naaman</span>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-3.htm">2 Kings 14:3</a></div><div class="verse">And he did <i>that which was</i> right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.</div>(3) <span class= "bld">Yet not like David his father.</span>—The chronicler paraphrases this reference to the ideal king of Israel: “<span class= "ital">yet not with a perfect heart.</span>”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">2 Kings 14:4</a></div><div class="verse">Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.</div>(4) <span class= "bld">Howbeit.</span>—The same word was rendered “yet” in the last verse. “Only,” or “save that” would be better.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-5.htm">2 Kings 14:5</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(5) <span class= "bld">As soon as the kingdom was confirmed</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, as soon as he was firmly established on the throne; as soon as he felt his power secure. (Comp. <a href="/1_kings/2-46.htm" title="So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell on him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.">1Kings 2:46</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Slew . . .—slain.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">smote . . . smitten</span>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">2 Kings 14:6</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(6) <span class= "bld">The murderers.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">the smiters</span>.<p><span class= "bld">According unto that which is written . . . law of Moses.</span>—A quotation of <a href="/deuteronomy/24-16.htm" title="The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.">Deuteronomy 24:16</a>. This reference is from the pen of the Judæan editor.<p><span class= "bld">Shall be put to death.</span>—So the original passage and the Hebrew margin. Hebrew text, “shall die.”<p>This humane provision of the Jewish law contrasts favourably with the practice of other nations, ancient and modern. Readers of the classics will recollect the hideous story of the treatment of the young daughter of Sejanus (Tac. <span class= "ital">Ann. v.</span> 9).<p>(6) <span class= "bld">Even with the kings of Israel.</span>—Probably some words have fallen out, and the original text was. “<span class= "ital">and was buried in Samaria</span> with the kings of Israel.” (Comp, <a href="/2_kings/14-16.htm" title="And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.">2Kings 14:16</a>.) The Syriac and Arabic have, “and was buried.”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-7.htm">2 Kings 14:7</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(7) <span class= "bld">He slew.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">he it was that smote</span>.<p><span class= "bld">The valley of salt.</span>—Comp. <a href="/2_samuel/8-13.htm" title="And David got him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.">2Samuel 8:13</a>. <span class= "ital">El-Ghôr</span>, the salt plain of the Dead Sea, which Amaziah would traverse in marching against Edom.<p><span class= "bld">Ten thousand.</span>—The number slain in one conflict.<p><span class= "bld">Selah.</span>—Heb., the <span class= "ital">Sèlac, i.e.</span>, the crag. The Hebrew name of the famous rock-hewn town of Petra.<p><span class= "bld">By war.</span>—Or, <span class= "ital">in the battle</span>. After the decisive engagement, Amaziah’s troops forced their way through the narrow defile leading to the Edomite capital, probably meeting no great resistance.<p><span class= "bld">Joktheel</span>.—A town of Judah bore this name (<a href="/joshua/15-38.htm" title="And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,">Joshua 15:38</a>). The name probably means <span class= "ital">God’s ward,</span> referring to the wonderful strength of the natural position of the town. Others explain, <span class= "ital">subjugated of God</span>.<p><span class= "bld">Unto this day</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, unto the time when the original document was written, from which the writer derived this notice.<p>The reduction of the capital implies that of the country. The defeat of Jehoram (<a href="/2_kings/8-20.htm" title="In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.">2Kings 8:20</a>, <span class= "ital">seq</span>.) was thus avenged. Chronicles gives a more detailed account of the re-conquest of Edom, and its consequences (<a href="/context/2_chronicles/25-5.htm" title="Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.">2Chronicles 25:5-16</a>). it is there related that Amaziah hired a large force of mercenaries from the northern kingdom, but sent them home again at the bidding of a prophet. On their way back they attacked and plundered certain of the cities of Judah. The fall of Selah was followed by a massacre of captives. The gods of Edom, which Amaziah carried off, proved a snare to him. (See the Notes on the passage.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-8.htm">2 Kings 14:8</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(8) <span class= "bld">Then.</span>—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.<p><span class= "bld">Come, let us look one another in the face.</span>—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, intoxicated by his recent success, aimed at nothing less than the recovery of the Ten Tribes for the house of David. So Josephus (<span class= "ital">Antt. ix.</span> 9, § 2), who gives what purport to be the letters which passed between the two kings on this occasion.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-9.htm">2 Kings 14:9</a></div><div class="verse">And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that <i>was</i> in Lebanon sent to the cedar that <i>was</i> in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that <i>was</i> in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.</div>(9) <span class= "bld">The thistle.</span>—Or <span class= "ital">bramble or briar</span>. (Comp. <a href="/job/31-40.htm" title="Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.">Job 31:40</a>; <a href="/songs/2-2.htm" title="As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.">Song of Solomon 2:2</a>.) The LXX. and Vulg. render “thistle;” the Syriac, “blackthorn” (<span class= "ital">Prunus silvestris</span>).<p><span class= "bld">Give thy daughter to my son to wife.</span>—Perhaps hinting at Amaziah’s demand for the surrender of Israel (the “daughter” of Jehoash) to Judah (the “son” of Amaziah).<p><span class= "bld">And there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">and the wild beasts that were in Lebanon passed over it.</span> So LXX. and Vulg. It is obvious to compare with this brief but most pithy parable that of Jotham (<a href="/context/judges/9-8.htm" title="The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, Reign you over us.">Judges 9:8-15</a>). The contrast between the northern and southern kingdoms in point of military strength and resources, and the disdainful tolerance with which the former regarded the latter, could hardly have found more forcible expression.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-10.htm">2 Kings 14:10</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory <i>of this</i>, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to <i>thy</i> hurt, that thou shouldest fall, <i>even</i> thou, and Judah with thee?</div>(10) <span class= "bld">Thou hast indeed smitten</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, thou hast <span class= "ital">thoroughly</span> worsted; gained a <span class= "ital">brilliant</span> victory over Edom. (The “indeed” qualifies “smitten.”)<p><span class= "bld">Hath lifted.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">lifteth</span>.<p><span class= "bld">Glory of this, and tarry at home.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">be honoured, and abide in thine own house, i.e.,</span> be content with the glory thou hast achieved. Rest on thy laurels, and do not risk them by further enterprises which may not turn out so favourably. So the Vulg. Thenius explains: “Show thy might at home,” referring to the LXX. (Comp. <a href="/2_samuel/6-20.htm" title="Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!">2Samuel 6:20</a>).<p><span class= "bld">For why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt?—</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">and why shouldst thou challenge or provoke</span> (literally, <span class= "ital">attack</span>, <a href="/deuteronomy/2-5.htm" title="Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir to Esau for a possession.">Deuteronomy 2:5</a>) <span class= "ital">disaster?</span><p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-11.htm">2 Kings 14:11</a></div><div class="verse">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 <i>belongeth</i> to Judah.</div>(11) <span class= "bld">Looked one another in the face</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, encountered one another; joined battle.<p><span class= "bld">Beth</span>-<span class= "bld">shemesh.</span>—The modern <span class= "ital">Ain-shems,</span> north of which is a great plain now called <span class= "ital">Wâdy-es-Surâr,</span> in which the encounter probably happened. Jehoash proposed to attack Jerusalem from the west, as Hazael also had intended (<a href="/2_kings/12-17.htm" title="Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.">2Kings 12:17</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-12.htm">2 Kings 14:12</a></div><div class="verse">And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.</div>(12) <span class= "bld">To their tents.</span>—Hebrew text, <span class= "ital">to his tent</span>; so the LXX. and Syriac. Hebrew margin, to <span class= "ital">his tents</span>; so Vulg., and Targum, and Chronicles. The meaning is that the enemy disbanded, as usually after a great defeat. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/8-21.htm" title="So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.">2Kings 8:21</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-13.htm">2 Kings 14:13</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(13) <span class= "bld">Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah.</span>—Comp, <a href="/2_kings/14-8.htm" title="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.">2Kings 14:8</a>. 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 of Judah . . . did Jehoash king of Israel take . . .”<p><span class= "bld">Came.</span>—So the Hebrew margin. The Hebrew text has, <span class= "ital">brought him</span> (<span class= "ital">way’bî’ô;</span> a rare form). So Chronicles and the Vulg., but not the other versions. Jehoash brought Amaziah a prisoner to his own capital.<p><span class= "bld">Brake down the wall.</span>—Or, <span class= "ital">made a breach in the wall.</span> No resistance appears to have been offered. Josephus relates that Amaziah was induced by menaces of death to order the gates to be thrown open to the enemy; a needless assumption, considering that the army had been routed and the king was a captive. He adds, that Jehoash rode in his chariot through the breach in the walls, leading Amaziah as a prisoner.<p><span class= "bld">From the gate.</span>—So Chronicles and the <span class= "ital">Syriac,</span> Vulg., and Arabic here. The Hebrew text <span class= "ital">has, at the gate</span>, which is due to the common confusion of the letters <span class= "ital">b</span> and <span class= "ital">m</span> (<span class= "ital">be, “in;” min,</span> “from”). The following “unto” shows that “from” is right.<p><span class= "bld">Of Ephraim.</span>—This gate lay on the north side of the city, and was also called the “Gate of Benjamin.” It answers to the modern Damascus gate.<p><span class= "bld">The corner gate.</span>—This gate was at the north-west corner of the wall at the point where it trended southwards.<p><span class= "bld">Four hundred cubits.</span>—That is, about 222 yards. The insolence of a victorious enemy is sufficient to account for this conduct of Jehoash. It was also a forcible way of convincing Amaziah that even his strongest city was not proof against the prowess of <span class= "ital">Ephraim.</span> Thenius thinks that Jehoash wanted to make room for the triumphal entry of his troops.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-14.htm">2 Kings 14:14</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(14) <span class= "bld">That were found.</span>—This expression seems to hint that there was not much treasure to carry off. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/13-18.htm" title="And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, Smite on the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.">2Kings 13:18</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Hostages.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">the sons of sureties.</span> 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 Sargon.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-15.htm">2 Kings 14:15</a></div><div class="verse">Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, <i>are</i> they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?</div>(15, 16) <span class= "bld">Now the rest . . .</span>—Comp. <a href="/context/2_kings/13-12.htm" title="And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?">2Kings 13:12-13</a>, where the reign of Jehoash is already summed up, though not altogether in the same phraseology. The compiler probably found <a href="/context/2_kings/14-15.htm" title="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?">2Kings 14:15-16</a>, in their present position in the document from which he derived the entire section, <a href="/context/2_kings/14-8.htm" title="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.">2Kings 14:8-17</a>; a document which was not the same as that upon which 2 Kings 13 depends, as appears from the differences of language in the two passages.<p>The two verses are almost necessary here as a suitable introduction of the statement of <a href="/2_kings/14-17.htm" title="And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.">2Kings 14:17</a>, that Amaziah survived Jehoash by fifteen years.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-17.htm">2 Kings 14:17</a></div><div class="verse">And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.</div>(17) <span class= "bld">Fifteen years.</span>—He came to the throne in the second year of Jehoash, who reigned sixteen years (<a href="/2_kings/13-10.htm" title="In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.">2Kings 13:10</a>), and reigned twenty-nine years (<a href="/2_kings/14-2.htm" title="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.">2Kings 14:2</a>). The different <span class= "ital">data are</span> thus self-consistent. Jehoash appears to have died very soon after his victory—perhaps in the following year.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-19.htm">2 Kings 14:19</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(19) <span class= "bld">Now . . . but.</span>—<span class= "ital">And . . . and.</span><p><span class= "bld">They made a conspiracy.</span>—The fact that no <span class= "ital">individual</span> 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 enterprise against Israel had something to do with it.<p><span class= "bld">Lachish.</span>—Now <span class= "ital">Um Lâkis</span>. Of old it was a strong fortress. (Comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/11-9.htm" title="And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,">2Chronicles 11:9</a>; <a href="/2_kings/18-14.htm" title="And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which you put on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed to Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.">2Kings 18:14</a>; <a href="/2_kings/19-8.htm" title="So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.">2Kings 19:8</a>.) Amaziah’s flight thither seems to indicate either a popular rising in Jerusalem, or a military revolt.<p><span class= "bld">They sent after him to Lachish.</span>—This, too, may point to a military outbreak.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-20.htm">2 Kings 14:20</a></div><div class="verse">And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.</div>(20) <span class= "bld">They brought him on horses.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">they carried him upon the horses—i.e.</span>, perhaps in the royal chariot wherein he had fled from Jerusalem. Or, perhaps, the corpse was literally carried on horseback by the regicides.<p>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 private blood-revenge.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-21.htm">2 Kings 14:21</a></div><div class="verse">And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which <i>was</i> sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.</div>(21) <span class= "bld">All the people of Judah.</span>—Thenius explains, all the men of war, as in <a href="/2_kings/13-7.htm" title="Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.">2Kings 13:7</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Took.</span>—The expression seems to imply that Azariah was <span class= "ital">not</span> 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.<p><span class= "bld">Azariah.</span>—See Note on <a href="/2_chronicles/26-1.htm" title="Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.">2Chronicles 26:1</a>. Thenius thinks the soldiery gave Azariah the name of Uzziah. At all events, the king may have taken a new name on his accession, though which of the two it was we cannot; say. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/24-17.htm" title="And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.">2Kings 24:17</a>.) Sennacherib on investing Esarhaddon with sovereignty named him <span class= "ital">Asshurebil-mukin-pal</span>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-22.htm">2 Kings 14:22</a></div><div class="verse">He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.</div>(22) <span class= "bld">He built Elath.</span>—The pronoun is emphatic; <span class= "ital">he,</span> in contrast with his father. “Built,” either <span class= "ital">rebuilt</span> or <span class= "ital">fortified.</span> 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 Edomites; and this, as Thenius supposes may have led to the conspiracy which brought about his death and the accession of his son. The warlike youth Uzziah took the field at once, and pushed his victorious arms to the southern extremity of Edom, the port of Elath (<a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm" title="Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, said the LORD; and I will requite you in this plat, said the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.">2Kings 9:26</a>), and thus restored the state of things which had existed under Solomon and Jehoshaphat.<p><span class= "bld">After that the king slept</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, immediately after the murder of Amaziah. Thenius explains the verse with most success, but this clause is still somewhat surprising.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-23.htm">2 Kings 14:23</a></div><div class="verse">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, <i>and reigned</i> forty and one years.</div><span class= "bld">THE REIGN OF JEROBOAM II. IN SAMARIA</span><p>(<a href="/context/2_kings/14-23.htm" title="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.">2Kings 14:23-29</a>).<p>(23) <span class= "bld">Reigned forty and one years.</span>—According to the statement of this verse, Jeroboam reigned fourteen years concurrently with Amaziah, who reigned altogether twenty-nine years (<a href="/2_kings/14-2.htm" title="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.">2Kings 14:2</a>); and thirty-seven years concurrently with Azariah (<a href="/2_kings/15-8.htm" title="In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.">2Kings 15:8</a>), so that he reigned altogether not forty-one but fifty-one years. (The discrepancy originated in a confusion of the Hebrew letters <span class= "greekheb">נא</span>, fifty-one, with <span class= "greekheb">מא</span>, forty-one.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-25.htm">2 Kings 14:25</a></div><div class="verse">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 <i>was</i> of Gathhepher.</div>(25) <span class= "bld">He restored.</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">He it was who restored the border, i.e.</span>, he wrested out of the hands of the Syrians the territory they had taken from Israel.<p><span class= "bld">From the entering of Hamath</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, from the point where the territory of Hamath began. This was the originally determined boundary of Israel on the north (comp. <a href="/numbers/13-21.htm" title="So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, as men come to Hamath.">Numbers 13:21</a>; <a href="/numbers/34-8.htm" title="From mount Hor you shall point out your border to the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:">Numbers 34:8</a>; <a href="/joshua/13-5.htm" title="And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sun rise, from Baalgad under mount Hermon to the entering into Hamath.">Joshua 13:5</a>), and the prophet Ezekiel specifies it as the future limit (<a href="/ezekiel/47-16.htm" title="Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.">Ezekiel 47:16</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/48-1.htm" title="Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goes to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.">Ezekiel 48:1</a>). Israel’s territory first reached this limit under Solomon, who conquered a portion of the Hamathite domains (<a href="/context/2_chronicles/8-3.htm" title="And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.">2Chronicles 8:3-4</a>).<p><span class= "bld">The sea of the plain</span>—<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, the Dead Sea (<a href="/numbers/3-17.htm" title="And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.">Numbers 3:17</a>; <a href="/numbers/4-49.htm" title="According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.">Numbers 4:49</a>; <a href="/joshua/3-16.htm" title="That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up on an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.">Joshua 3:16</a>). The whole length of the Dead Sea is included (comp. <a href="/amos/6-14.htm" title="But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, said the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath to the river of the wilderness.">Amos 6:14</a>, where virtually the same limits are specified), and the country beyond Jordan. (Comp. Note on <a href="/1_chronicles/5-17.htm" title="All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.">1Chronicles 5:17</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet.</span>—Comp. <a href="/jonah/1-1.htm" title="Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,">Jonah 1:1</a>. Ewald remarks that the activity of this prophet must have occupied a very large field, as tradition connects him with Nineveh. Hitzig and Knobel recognise the prophecy referred to here in Isaiah 15, 16. There is no difficulty in the supposition that Isaiah has “adopted and ratified the work of an earlier prophet,” as Jeremiah has so often done. (See Cheyne’s <span class= "ital">Isaiah,</span> vol. i., p. 93.) But it is easier to prove that these chapters are not Isaiah’s, than that they belong to Jonah.<p><span class= "bld">Gath-hepher.</span>—<a href="/joshua/19-13.htm" title="And from there passes on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to Ittahkazin, and goes out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;">Joshua 19:13</a>. The present <span class= "ital">Meshed,</span> Not far north of Nazareth.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-26.htm">2 Kings 14:26</a></div><div class="verse">For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, <i>that it was</i> very bitter: for <i>there was</i> not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.</div>(26) <span class= "bld">Affliction.</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">oppression.</span><p><span class= "bld">Bitter.</span>—So the LXX., Syriac, and Vulg. Better, <span class= "ital">stubborn</span>, and <span class= "ital">so, inveterate, unyielding, enduring</span>. (Comp. <a href="/context/deuteronomy/21-18.htm" title="If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not listen to them:">Deuteronomy 21:18-20</a>.) Targum, “hard;” Arabic, “strong” or “violent.”<p><span class= "bld">For there was . . . left.</span>—Comp. Note on <a href="/1_kings/14-10.htm" title="Therefore, behold, I will bring evil on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that urinates against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man takes away dung, till it be all gone.">1Kings 14:10</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-27.htm">2 Kings 14:27</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(27) <span class= "bld">Said not.</span>—By any prophet.<p><span class= "bld">Blot out the name.</span>—The figure is taken from blotting out writing. (Comp. <a href="/numbers/5-23.htm" title="And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water:">Numbers 5:23</a>.) 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.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/2_kings/14-28.htm">2 Kings 14:28</a></div><div class="verse">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, <i>which belonged</i> to Judah, for Israel, <i>are</i> they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?</div>(28) <span class= "bld">How he recovered Damascus, and Hamath.</span>—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” (<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, 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 thus accounts for the permanent success of Jeroboam, who was himself a vassal of Assyria.<p><span class= "bld">He recovered.</span>—This verb was rendered “lie restored” in <a href="/2_kings/14-25.htm" title="He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath to the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spoke by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.">2Kings 14:25</a>, and that is the meaning here.<p><span class= "bld">Damascus and Hamath.</span>—Not the entire states so named, which were powerful independent communities, but portions of their territory, which had belonged to Israel in the days of Solomon. (See Note on <a href="/context/2_chronicles/8-3.htm" title="And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.">2Chronicles 8:3-4</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Which belonged to Judah.</span>—This is really an epithet restrictive of the phrase, “Damascus and Hamath,” the sense being, “<span class= "ital">Judœan</span> Damascus and Hamath.” (Comp, the Note on <a href="/2_kings/15-1.htm" title="In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.">2Kings 15:1</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">For Israel.</span>—Heb., <span class= "ital">in Israel</span>. The sense is obscure; but the particle “in” appears to refer to the <span class= "ital">re-incorporation</span> of the Damascene and Hamathite districts with Israel. Ewald would cancel “which belonged to Judah,” and read “to Israel” (so the Syriac and Arabic. But the LXX., Vulg., and Targum support the existing text.) Others explain: He <span class= "ital">restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah </span>(<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, to the theocratic people) <span class= "ital">through Israel </span>(<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, the northern kingdom, to which the recovered districts were actually annexed). No explanation, however, is really satisfactory. It may be that by an oversight the Judæan editor wrote” to Judah, “instead of” to Israel and that some scribe added a marginal note “in Israel,” which afterwards crept into the text. It is curious to find certain districts of Hamath leagued with Azariah, king of Judah, against Tiglath Pileser. (See Note on <a href="/2_kings/15-1.htm" title="In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.">2Kings 15:1</a>.)<p> <div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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