Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 14

Verse 1

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.

Verse 3

the LORD. Heb Jehovah.

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

Verse 4

the high places. See 1 Kings 15:14 .

Verse 6

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 .

Verse 7

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

Verse 8

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

Verse 9

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.

Verse 11

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.

Verse 12

Put to the worse = smitten.

Verse 13

cubits. See App-51 .

Verse 14

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

Verse 15

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

are they not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Verse 17

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

Verse 19

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 .

Verse 21

Azariah. Called also Uzziah (2 Kings 15:13 , 2Ki 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; 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 .

Verse 22

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 .

Verse 23

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 .

Verse 24

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

Verse 25

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 ).

Verse 26

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 .

Verse 28

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 .

Verse 29

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