Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 15

Verse 1

And. This chapter supplementary to 1 Kings 15:0 .

the Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for His gift of prophecy. One of the eight occurrences outside the book of Samuel.

Azariah. Not mentioned elsewhere.

Oded. See 2 Chronicles 28:9 . Hebrew. 'oded.

Verse 3

hath = had.

without. Figures of speech Anaphora and Polysyndeton. App-6 .

and. Figure of speech Polysyndeton.

a teaching priest. Teaching was the great priestly function. But, as generally with priests, teaching was neglected for ritual. See note on Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 . Malachi 2:7 .

Verse 5

no peace. As in the days of Deborah and Gideon (Judges 5:6 ; Judges 6:6 ).

vexations = consternations. Compare Deuteronomy 7:23 . 1 Samuel 5:9 . Amos 3:9 . Zechariah 14:13 . Hebrew. mehumah = specially trouble from God.

the countries: i.e. the different tribal divisions.

Verse 6

adversity. By civil wars.

Verse 8

and the prophecy, &c. Render: "and the prophecy (Oded was the prophet) he took", &c.

abominable idols = abominations. Referring specially to the 'Asherim. App-42 .

the cities . . . taken. Probably by Abijah (2 Chronicles 13:19 ).

mount = the hill country.

Verse 9

strangers = sojourners: i.e. those not of Judah. Hebrew. gur. See note on Proverbs 5:3 .

Ephraim. Jeroboam's own tribe.

Simeon. Always more or less reckoned with Judah.

fell to him out of Israel. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .

Verse 10

third month. The feast of Pentecost.

fifteenth year. The dates of verses: 2 Chronicles 15:9-19 refer to the parenthesis which concern 2 Chronicles 14:9-15 .

Verse 11

offered = sacrificed. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 .

the spoil. Taken from the Ethiopians, &c. (2 Chronicles 14:13-15 ).

Verse 12

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 13

should be put to death. Compare Deuteronomy 17:2-6 .

Verse 16

Maachah. See note on 2 Chronicles 13:2 .

mother = the queen-mother. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus) for grandmother (1 Kings 15:2 ).

idol in a grove = a monstrous 'Asherah for a grove. Compare 1 Kings 15:13 . See App-42 .

stamped it = beat it small.

Verse 17

not taken away. Not from "Israel" (2 Chronicles 15:17 ), but from Judah (2 Chronicles 14:3 ). Figure of speech Palinodia. App-6 .

perfect: i.e. so far as idolatry was concerned.

Verse 18

things . . . dedicated = holy things. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 19

no more war = no actual campaign (as in 2 Chronicles 16:1 ). There was quiet between the two kings (2 Chronicles 14:1 ), but there was border fighting (as in 1 Kings 15:16 , 1 Kings 15:32 ). See note on 2 Chronicles 14:1 .

reign = kingdom. Compare Numbers 24:7 . 1Sa 20:31 . 1 Kings 2:12 . 1 Chronicles 11:10 ; 1Ch 14:2 ; 1 Chronicles 17:14 ; 1 Chronicles 22:10 ; 1 Chronicles 28:5 .