_A.M. 3165. B.C. 839._ Amaziah revenges his father's death, 2 Chronicles 25:1. Obeys the command of God, and dismisses the Israelites, 2 Chronicles 25:5. Conquers the Edomites, 2 Chronicles 25:11. Turns idolater, and despises reproof, 2 Chronicles 25:14. Challenges the king of Israel, and suffers f... [ Continue Reading ]
_But not with a perfect heart_ He was not an enemy to religion, but a cool and indifferent friend. He was not a man of serious piety, for his heart was not whole with God. But of this, and the two following verses, see notes on 2 Kings 14:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He hired a hundred thousand men out of Israel_ Out of the kingdom of the ten tribes. If he had advised with any of his prophets before he did this, or had but considered how little any of his ancestors had got by their alliances with Israel, he would not have thus done what he had soon to undo agai... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let not the army of Israel go with thee_ It is comfortable to employ those who, we have reason to hope, have an interest in heaven; but dangerous associating with those from whom the Lord is departed. _For the Lord is not with Israel_ He hath forsaken them; and prosperity shall not attend thy couns... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Amaziah said, But what shall we do for the hundred talents _ The money remitted for the hire of the one hundred thousand Israelitish soldiers. He considered, if he sent the men back he should lose that. Such is the objection which men often make against complying with their duty: they are afrai... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their anger was greatly kindled against Judah_ Because they were both disgraced by this rejection, and disappointed of that spoil which they hoped to gain, whereas now they are sent away empty; for the hundred talents, probably, were given to their officers only to raise men for this service.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Amaziah strengthened himself_ With his own men only. _And smote of the children of Seir ten thousand_ Who, it appears, were left dead upon the field. How many were only wounded: and not killed, we are not told; but undoubtedly not a few. _Other ten thousand did the children of Judah cast down from... [ Continue Reading ]
_The army which Amaziah sent back, fell upon the cities of Judah_ Thus God chastised those cities of Judah for their idolatries, which were found most in the parts next to Israel. The men of Israel had corrupted them, and now are a plague to them. And thus Amaziah also was punished for having entere... [ Continue Reading ]
_He brought the gods of Seir, and set them up for his gods_ Egregious folly! When Ahaz worshipped the gods of those that had conquered him, (2 Chronicles 28:23,) he had some little colour for it, as he hoped, probably, thus to prevail upon them to assist him too. But for Amaziah to worship the gods... [ Continue Reading ]
_The anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah_ And well it might; yet, before he sent to destroy him, he sent to convince and reclaim him, and thus prevent his destruction. He sent to him a prophet, who reasoned with him very fairly and mildly, saying, _Why hast thou sought after the gods which... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king said, Art thou made of the king's counsel?_ Who art thou, that presumest to direct my affairs without my commission? _Forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?_ Provoke me no further, lest I cause thee to be killed for thy impudence. The prophet's reproof was too just to be answered, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Amaziah took advice_ About the injury which the Israelites had done to his people, and how he should repair it. He _took advice_ But with whom? Not with the prophet, but with his flattering statesmen. It is good to take advice: but it should be of them who are fit to advise us. But of this and... [ Continue Reading ]
_For it came of God_ Who gave him up to his own error and passion, in order to his ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
_That were found in the house of God with Obed-edom_ That is, with Obed-edom's posterity, to whom the custody of the sacred treasures was committed.... [ Continue Reading ]