Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 22

Verse 1

And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

And the inhabitants of Jerusalem. — The Sanhedrim especially there sitting.

Made Ahaziah. — Called also Azariah, 2 Chronicles 22:6 and Jehoahaz, 2 Chronicles 21:17 for he was trinomous.

Had slain all the eldest. — After that they had carried them captive. 2 Chronicles 21:17

Verse 2

Forty and two years old [was] Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also [was] Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

Forty and two years old. — Heb., The son of two and forty years was Ahaziah when he began to reign; i.e., in the last of the two and forty years of the house of Omri, in which it fell, and Ahaziah with it. See on 2 Kings 8:26 .

Verse 3

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

For his mother was his counsellor. — Mothers have a great influence upon their children, whether for good or evil. Catherine de Medici, queen mother of France, for instance, a second Athaliah.

Verse 4

Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.

Wherefore he did evil. — See 2 Kings 8:27 , where he is said to be the son-in-law to the house of Ahab. So that what by his mother’s command, and what by his wife’s importunity, he was utterly marred.

Verse 5

He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.

And went with Jehoram. — See 2 Kings 8:28 . He went to fetch his death.

Verse 6

And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

And he returned to be healed. — See 2 Kings 9:15 .

And Azariah. — See on 2 Chronicles 22:1 .

Verse 7

And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

And the destruction. — Heb., The treading down, sc., with the feet of Jehu.

By coming to Joram. — See 2 Kings 9:21 , …

Verse 8

And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.

When Jehu was executing. — 2 Kings 9:22 , …

And the sons of the brethren. — 2 Kings 10:13-14 .

Verse 9

And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he [is] the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

And he sought Ahaziah. — 2 Kings 9:27 .

Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat: — Holiness hath its honour in the worst hearts. Here also Ahaziah receiveth courtesy from Jehoshaphat’s dust.

So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. — Either by reason of their tender age, or for want of partakers, or by reason of Athaliah’s might.

Verse 10

But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

But when Athaliah. — See 2 Kings 11:1 .

Destroyed all the seed royal. — Such another wicked woman was the mother of King Edward, called the martyr, whom she basely butchered; and because his brother Ethelred, who succeeded him, being but ten years of age, mourned for him, his mother was so enraged thereat, that taking wax candles which were readiest at hand, therewith she scorched him so sore, that he could never after endure wax candles to be burnt before him. Mr Clark’s Martyrol., p. 31.

Verse 11

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. 2 Chronicles 22:12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

Ver. 11, 12. See Trapp on " 2 Kings 11:2 " See Trapp on " 2 Kings 11:3 " See Trapp on " 2 Kings 11:4 "