Bible Commentaries

second year of Joash. According to 2 Kings 13:10, Joash (king of Israel) began to reign in the thirty-seventh year of Joash (king of Judah). If Arnaziah began in the second year of Joash (king of Israel), he would have reigned only thirty-nine years. But he reigned forty (2 Kings 12:1). All depends on mode of reckoning from Nisan, and counting parts of years for complete years. This would at once explain the difference. See App-50. Our difficulty, as usual, arises from our ignorance.

the LORD. Heb Jehovah.

as Joash his father. He began well and ended badly.

the high places. See 1 Kings 15:14.

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.

He slew. The account in Chronicles supplies additional particulars. See 2 Chronicles 25:5-11.

look one another, &c. Figure of speech Tapeinosis (App-6), meaning very much more (verses: 2 Kings 14:11-12).

The thistle, or briar or thorn. Hebrew. choch, rendered thistle here, and in 2 Chronicles 25:18. Job 31:40; thorn in 2 Chronicles 33:11. Job 41:2. Proverbs 26:9. Song of Solomon 2:2. Hosea 9:6; and bramble in Isaiah 34:13.

sent. For a similar fable, see Judges 9:8. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia.

Beth-shernesh = house of the sun, on frontier of Judah and Dan, fifteen miles west of Jerusalem (Joshua 15:10). Now Ain Shems. A city of the priests (Joshua 21:9, Joshua 21:13, Joshua 21:16). Afterward associated with idolatry, and now with defeat.

Put to the worse = smitten.

cubits. See App-51.

hostages. Hebrew sons of the securities. Occurs only here and in 2 Chronicles 25:24.

which he did. Some codices, with Syriac, read "and all that he did".

are they not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

fifteen years: i.e. from 729-714. See App-50.

Lachish. On the Philistine border in Judah (Joshua 15:39). Now Tel-el-Hesy, and recently excavated with important results.

slew him there. See note on 2 Kings 8:26.

Azariah. Called also Uzziah (2 Kings 15:13, 2 Kings 15:30, 2 Kings 15:32; 2 Chronicles 26:1. Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 6:1. Hosea 1:1. Amos 1:1. Zechariah 14:5). In Chronicles called Azariah (1 Chronicles 3:12). These different names are common, having the same or similar meanings.

sixteen years: i.e. when "made" king. Only three years old at his father's death. See note on 2 Kings 15:1.

built = rebuilt or fortified. This implies the subjugation of Edom.

Elath. On the Red Sea. Compare 1 Kings 9:26, and, for its eventual loss, 2 Kings 16:6.

slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16.

of Israel. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read "over Israel".

forty and one years. See note on 2 Kings 15:8.

made Israel to sin. See note on 1 Kings 14:16.

coast = border, or boundary.

entering of Hamath. The pass between Lebanon and Hermon.

the sea of the plain. The Dead Sea.

Jonah. Named by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 12:39, Matthew 12:40).

not any shut up, nor any left = not any [place] strengthened or fortified. See note on Exodus 23:5. Deuteronomy 32:36. 1 Kings 14:10.

recovered Damascus, and Hamath. Both were included in Solomon's kingdom (1 Kings 4:21). Damascus lost to Rezin (1 Kings 11:23-25). This recovery did not last long. See Amos 1:3.

reigned. After an interregnum of eleven years. See 2 Kings 15:8.