In this chapter the history of the kingdom of Israel is traced through the two reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash. In 2 Kings 14 the history of Judah is resumed. IN THE THREE AND TWENTIETH YEAR - Rather, the “one and twentieth year.” See 2 Kings 13:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THEIR DAYS - literally, “all the days.” Not “all the days” of the two Syrian kings, for Ben-hadad lost to Joash all the cities which he had gained from Jehoahaz 2 Kings 13:25; but either “all the days of Jehoahaz” 2 Kings 13:22, or “all the days of Hazael” - both while he led his own armies, and... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GAVE ISRAEL A SAVIOUR - Not immediately on the repentance of Jehoahaz but after his death (see 2 Kings 13:25). THEY WENT OUT FROM UNDER THE HAND OF THE SYRIANS - i. e. they ceased to be oppressed by the Syrians; they shook off their yoke, and became once more perfectly independent. TENTS... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WALKED THEREIN - Rather, “he walked therein,” meaning Joash, the “saviour” of the preceding verse. THERE REMAINED THE GROVE ALSO IN SAMARIA - It seems strange that Jehu had not destroyed this when he put down the worship of Baal 2 Kings 10:26. Perhaps the “grove” or “Asherah” worship was too cl... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning is that “he, the king of Syria” (2 Kings 13:4 Hazael) limited the standing army of Jehoahaz. LIKE THE DUST BY THRESHING - An expression not only employed metaphorically, and importing defeat, conquest, and grinding oppression Jeremiah 51:33; Micah 4:12, but implying also the literal use... [ Continue Reading ]
According to ordinary laws of historical composition, these verses should form the closing paragraph of the present chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
The closing scene of Elisha’s life. It was now at least sixty-three years since his call, so that he was at this time very possibly above ninety. He seems to have lived in almost complete retirement from the time he sent the young prophet to anoint Jehu king 2 Kings 9:1. And now it was not he who so... [ Continue Reading ]
ELISHA PUT HIS HANDS UPON THE KING’S HANDS - A symbolic act, indicating that the successes, which the shooting typified, were to come, not from human skill, or strength, or daring, but from the presence and the power of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
EASTWARD - Syria of Damascus lay partly east, but still more north, of the holy land. The arrow was to be shot, eastward, not so much against Syria itself as against the scene of the recent Syrian successes, Gilead 2 Kings 10:33, which was also to be the scene of Joash’s victories over them. Aphek i... [ Continue Reading ]
SMITE UPON THE GROUND - Some prefer to render - “Shoot to the ground;” i. e. “Shoot arrows from the window into the ground outside, as if thou wert shooting against an enemy.”... [ Continue Reading ]
The unfaithfulness of man limits the goodness of God. Though Joash did the prophet’s bidding, it was without any zeal or fervour; and probably without any earnest belief in the efficacy of what he was doing. Compare Mark 6:5. God had been willing to give the Israelites complete victory over Syria 2... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BANDS OF THE MOABITES INVADED THE LAND - The Moabites had been increasing in strength ever since their revolt from Ahaziah 2 Kings 1:1. The defeat which they suffered at the hands of Jehoram and Jehoshaphat 2 Kings 3:24 did not affect their subjugation. They spread themselves into the country no... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CAST THE MAN - Rather, “they thrust the man.” The graves of the Jews were not pits dug in the ground, like ours, but caves or cells excavated in the side of a rock, the mouth of the cave being ordinarily shut by a heavy stone. STOOD UP ON HIS FEET - Coffins were not used by the Jews. The body... [ Continue Reading ]
The writer regards the captivity of Israel as God’s “casting them out of His sight” (see 2 Kings 17:18, 2 Kings 17:20); and notes that this extreme punishment, though deserved, was by God’s mercy not allowed to fall on them as yet.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HAZAEL ... DIED - literally, “And Hazael died,” a fact not mentioned before.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CITIES WHICH ... - Probably cities west of the Jordan, since the tract east of that river was conquered, mainly if not wholly, in the reign of Jehu 2 Kings 10:33.... [ Continue Reading ]