2 Kings 14:6

_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._ 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, for the course thus pursued toward the families of the regicides was directly contrary to the prevailing customs of antiquity according to which all connected with the criminals were doomed to unsparing destruction....

1-7 Amaziah began well, but did not go on so. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the common usage, but we must do it as they did, from the same principle of faith and devotion, and with the same sincerity and resolution....

Verse 2 Kings 14:6. _BUT THE CHILDREN OF THE MURDERERS HE SLEW NOT_] Here he showed his conscientious regard for the law of Moses; for God had positively said, _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....

THE CHILDREN OF THE MURDERERS HE SLEW NOT - This seems to be noted as a rare instance of clemency (compare 2 Kings 9:26 note). It is strange at first sight, that, when the Law contained so very plain a prohibition (marginal references), the contrary practice should have established itself. But we must remember, first, that the custom was that of the East generally (see Daniel 6:24); and secondly, that it had the sanction of one who might be thought to have known thoroughly the mind of the legislator, namely, Joshua (see Joshua 7:24)....

EXPOSITION 2 KINGS 14:1 REIGNS OF AMAZIAH, SON OF JOASH KING OF JUDAH, OVER JUDAH, AND OF JEROBOAM, SON OF JOASH KING OF ISRAEL, OVER ISRAEL. 2 KINGS 14:1 THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH OVER JUDAH. This chapter takes up the history of the kingdom of Judah from the each of...

BUT THE CHILDREN OF THE MURDERERS HE SLEW NOT,.... Which is an instance of his clemency and goodness, and of his strict regard to justice, and to the law of God; though he might fear, these, being spared, would one time or other revenge their fathers' deaths; ACCORDING TO THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF MOSES, see Deuteronomy 24:16, WHEREIN THE LORD COMMANDED, SAYING, THE FATHERS SHALL NOT BE PUT TO DEATH FOR THE CHILDREN, NOR THE CHILDREN, c. to which command Amaziah was obedient....

6. KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH CHAPTER 14 _ 1. Amaziah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 14:1; 2 Chronicles 25)_ 2. The conflict between Israel and Judah (2 Kings 14:8; 2 Chronicles 25:17) 3. Judah's defeat and Jerusalem taken (2 Kings 14:12) 4. Jehoash and his successor (2 Kings 14:15) 5. Death of Amaziah (2 Kings 14

THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH, SON OF JOASH, KING OF JUDAH. Amaziah was a virtuous king like his father Joash, but not according to the standard of David. This is the judgment of the Deuteronomist, who refers to the law-book of his age, approving the king's forbearance in not punishing the sons of his father's murderers (Deuteronomy 21:1 *, Deuteronomy 24:16). Amaziah was successful in his wars with Edom, whose territory was peculiarly important to Judah as giving access to the Red Sea. The Edomites were defeated in the Valley of Salt as in David's time (2 Samuel 8:13, LXX). There is a place of the same name near Beersheba, but the topography here seems to require it to be in the southern Arabah, S. of the Dead Se

CHILDREN. sons. WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF MOSES. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47. EVERY MAN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14. SIN. Hebrew. _chata_ '. App-44....

_the children of the murderers he slew not_ R.V. HE PUT NOT TO DEATH. The Hebrew has a different verb here from that which is twice over used for -to slay" in the previous verse. _according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses_ The compiler of Kings either took this statement from his original record, or he inserted it in his narrative because he felt that it was an act which accorded with the legal command. In either case he looked upon the law as existing and observed in the days of Amaziah, and therefore that Deuteronomy 24:16, where this command is recorded, was existent before Amaziah's days, and therefore long before the days of Josiah, to which date some propose to refer the composition of the fifth book of Moses. _wherein_[R.V. AS] _the Lord commanded_ The change is in accordance with the Hebrew, cf....