2 Kings 14:22 Komentář

This chapter continues the history of the succession in the kingdoms both of Judah and Israel. I. In the kingdom of Judah here is, 1. The entire history (as much as is recorded in this book) of Amaziah's reign (1.) His good character (Kg2 14:1-4). (2.) The justice he executed on the murderers of his father (Kg2 14:5, Kg2 14:6). (3.) His victory over the Edomites (Kg2 14:7). (4.) His war with Joash, and his defeat in that war (Kg2 14:8-14). (5.) His fall, as last, by a conspiracy against him (Kg2 14:17-20). 2. The beginning of the history of Azariah (Kg2 14:21, Kg2 14:22). II. In the kingdom of Israel, the conclusion of the reign of Joash (Kg2 14:15, Kg2 14:16), and the entire history of Jeroboam his son, the second of that name (Kg2 14:23-29). How many great men are made to stand in a little compass in God's book!

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 14 In this chapter we have the good reign of Amaziah king of Judah, his victories over the Edomites, and war with Jehoash king of Israel, by whom he was taken, who died quickly after, Kg2 14:1, but Amaziah lived fifteen years afterwards, and was slain by a conspiracy against him, and Azariah his son reigned in his stead, Kg2 14:17, and a short account is given of the reign of Jeroboam the second, king of Israel, Kg2 14:23.

He restored the coast of Israel,.... The cities upon it, which had been taken away from them by their enemies: from the entering of Hamath; which was the northern border of the land of Canaan, the entrance into it from Syria, see Num 34:8, unto the sea of the plain: of Jordan, called sometimes the salt sea and the Dead Sea; the lake Asphaltites, as Josephus (k), where formerly stood Sodom and Gomorrah: 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 same with him whose prophecy among the small prophets bears this name; and though his prophecy concerning Jeroboam's success and victories is not there, nor anywhere else, recorded at length, yet needed not to be doubted of; this is the first of the prophets spoken of whose books are extant: which was of Gathhepher; a city in the tribe of Zebulun, Jos 19:13, which contradicts a notion of the Jews, that no prophet came out of Galilee, when the very first of those that were the penmen of the books of prophecies was from thence, see Joh 7:52. (k) Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 9.) c. 10. sect. 1.

Amaziah begins to reign well; his victory over the Edomites, Kg2 14:1-7. He challenges Jehoash, king of Israel, Kg2 14:8. Jehoash's parable of the thistle and the cedar, Kg2 14:9, Kg2 14:10. The two armies meet at Beth-shemesh; and the men of Judah are defeated, Kg2 14:11, Kg2 14:12. Jehoash takes Jerusalem, breaks down four hundred cubits of the wall; takes the treasures of the king's house, and of the temple; and takes hostages, and returns to Samaria, Kg2 14:13, Kg2 14:14. The death and burial of both these kings, Kg2 14:15-20. Azariah, the son of Amaziah, made king; he builds Elath, vv. 21, 22. Jeroboam the second is made king over Israel: his wicked reign and death, vv. 23-29.

He built Elath - This city belonged to the Edomites; and was situated on the eastern branch of the Red Sea, thence called the Elanitic Gulf. It had probably suffered much in the late war; and was now rebuilt by Uzziah, and brought entirely under the dominion of Judah.

AMAZIAH'S GOOD REIGN OVER JUDAH. (Kg2 14:1-6) He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father--The beginning of his reign was excellent, for he acted the part of a constitutional king, according to the law of God, yet not with perfect sincerity of heart (compare Ch2 25:2). As in the case of his father Joash, the early promise was belied by the devious course he personally followed in later life (see Ch2 20:14), as well as by the public irregularities he tolerated in the kingdom.

He built Elath--fortified that seaport. It had revolted with the rest of Edom, but was now recovered by Uzziah. His father, who did not complete the conquest of Edom, had left him that work to do.