Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 25

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 25:1, Amaziah begins to reign well; 2 Chronicles 25:3, He executes justice on the traitors; 2 Chronicles 25:5, Having hired an army of Israelites against the Edomites, at the word of a prophet dismisses them; 2 Chronicles 25:11, He overthrows the Edomites; 2 Chronicles 25:13, The Israelites, discontented with their dismission, spoil as they return home; 2 Chronicles 25:14, Amaziah, proud of his victory, serves the gods of Edom, and despises the admonitions of the prophet; 2 Chronicles 25:17, He provokes Joash to his overthrow; 2 Chronicles 25:25, His reign; 2 Chronicles 25:27, He is slain by conspiracy.

Verse 1

twenty and five: 2 Kings 14:1-3

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 3:12 - Amaziah 2 Chronicles 24:27 - Amaziah

Verse 2

but not: 2 Chronicles 25:14, 2 Chronicles 24:2, 2 Chronicles 26:4, 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Kings 14:4, Psalms 78:37, Isaiah 29:13, Hosea 10:2, Acts 8:21, James 1:8, James 4:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:9 - perfect Numbers 14:24 - followed me 1 Kings 11:4 - his heart 1 Kings 15:3 - and his heart 1 Kings 15:14 - was perfect 2 Kings 12:2 - General 2 Kings 14:3 - he did Psalms 119:80 - sound Isaiah 38:3 - a perfect Luke 11:39 - but Revelation 3:2 - thy works

Verse 3

am 3166, bc 838

Now it came: 2 Kings 14:5-22

established to him: Heb. confirmed upon him

he slew: 2 Chronicles 24:25, 2 Chronicles 24:26, Genesis 9:5, Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:14, Numbers 35:31-33, No doubt those wicked men, Jozachar and Jehozabad, who murdered his father, had considerable influence; and therefore he found it dangerous to bring them to justice, till he was assured of the loyalty of his other officers: when this was clear, he called them to an account, and justly put them to death for treason and murder; for, if even these conspirators against Joash intended to avenge upon him the death of Zechariah, they acted without a commission from that God "to whom vengeance belongeth.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:3 - he did

Verse 4

as it is written: Deuteronomy 24:16, 2 Kings 14:5, 2 Kings 14:6, Jeremiah 31:29, Jeremiah 31:30, Ezekiel 18:4, Ezekiel 18:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:31 - as it is 2 Kings 9:26 - of his sons Nehemiah 1:7 - which thou

Verse 5

am 3177, bc 827

captains over thousands: Exodus 18:25, 1 Samuel 8:12, 1 Chronicles 13:1, 1 Chronicles 27:1

from twenty: Numbers 1:3

three: 2 Chronicles 11:1, 2 Chronicles 14:8, 2 Chronicles 17:14-18

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 12:8 - handle Ezekiel 38:4 - handling

Verse 6

an hundred talents of silver: Estimating the shekel at 2s. 6d., and the talent, being 3,000 shekels - see Exodus 38:25, Exodus 38:26, at 375, one hundred talents would amount to 37,500.; which, divided among 100,000 men, quotes only 7s. 6d.; hence we may suppose, that this was only an earnest of their pay, or that they expected to be enriched by the plunder of the Edomites.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:6 - a thousand

Verse 7

a man of God: 2 Samuel 12:1, 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 3:17

for the Lord: 2 Chronicles 13:12, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 1 Kings 12:28, Isaiah 28:1-3, Hosea 5:13-15, Hosea 9:13

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:24 - Ye shall not go up 1 Kings 22:48 - they went not 2 Kings 20:14 - What said 2 Chronicles 11:4 - they obeyed 2 Chronicles 25:15 - a prophet 2 Chronicles 30:1 - Ephraim Jeremiah 35:4 - a man

Verse 8

be strong: 2 Chronicles 18:14, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Isaiah 8:9, Isaiah 8:10, Joel 3:9-14, Matthew 26:45

God hath power: 2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 20:6, Judges 7:7, 1 Samuel 14:6, Job 5:18, Job 9:13, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 33:16-20, Psalms 62:11, Ecclesiastes 9:11

army: Heb. band, 2 Chronicles 25:13

The Lord: 2 Chronicles 1:12, Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalms 24:1, Proverbs 10:22, Haggai 2:8, Luke 18:29, Luke 18:30, Philippians 4:19

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:6 - Abner 1 Kings 12:24 - Ye shall not go up 1 Kings 18:27 - Elijah 1 Kings 20:22 - strengthen 2 Chronicles 18:19 - go up 2 Chronicles 26:5 - and as long Psalms 89:43 - not made Psalms 102:10 - thou hast Ezekiel 38:7 - General Joel 3:10 - let Nahum 2:1 - keep

Verse 9

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:8 - General Leviticus 25:20 - General 2 Chronicles 25:13 - soldiers of the army 2 Chronicles 32:29 - God Job 42:10 - the Lord Matthew 6:31 - What shall we eat Mark 10:30 - an hundredfold John 6:13 - and filled 2 Corinthians 9:8 - God Ephesians 3:20 - able

Verse 10

Amaziah: 1 Kings 12:24

home: Heb. to their place

great anger: Heb. heat of anger, 2 Samuel 19:43, Proverbs 29:22

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:9 - The thistle Isaiah 7:2 - is confederate with

Verse 11

valley: 2 Samuel 8:13, 2 Kings 14:7, Psalms 60:1, *title

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:23 - the elder Genesis 27:29 - be lord Genesis 27:40 - serve 1 Kings 20:22 - strengthen 1 Chronicles 18:12 - the valley of Salt 2 Chronicles 25:15 - which could 2 Chronicles 28:17 - the Edomites Ezekiel 35:2 - mount

Verse 12

And other ten thousand: No intimation is given on what account, or on what provocation, this most cruel conduct towards the prisoners of war was adopted. The enmity between Israel and Edom seems to have been reciprocal and deeply malignant. The victorious king and his army considered every individual of Edom as a traitor and rebel; and so adjudged them to death, and acted on this judgment. But their conduct was wholly inexcusable, and could only perpetuate rancour to future generations, and provoke the surviving Edomites to cruel retaliations, whenever they had it in their power.

cast them: 2 Samuel 12:31, 1 Chronicles 20:3

broken in pieces: 2 Chronicles 20:10, 2 Chronicles 21:8-10

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:23 - the elder Genesis 27:40 - serve 2 Kings 14:7 - slew 2 Chronicles 25:15 - which could 2 Chronicles 28:17 - the Edomites Obadiah 1:3 - thou Luke 4:29 - that

Verse 13

soldiers of the army: Heb. sons of the band, 2 Chronicles 25:9

fell upon the cities: These Israelites seem to have returned home, when discharged by Amaziah, whose powerful army deterred them from attempting revenge at that time; but when he was engaged in war with the Edomites, they marched from Samaria, and plundered all the cities till they came to Beth-horon, where they slew 3,000 of the inhabitants.

Samaria: 1 Kings 16:24, 1 Kings 16:29

Bethhoron: 2 Chronicles 8:5, 1 Kings 9:17

Reciprocal: Judges 20:48 - smote them 1 Kings 13:32 - in the cities 2 Chronicles 25:8 - army 2 Chronicles 25:17 - Amaziah

Verse 14

he brought: 2 Chronicles 28:23, Isaiah 44:19

his gods: Exodus 20:3-5, Deuteronomy 7:5, Deuteronomy 7:25, 2 Samuel 5:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:5 - bow down 2 Kings 14:3 - he did according 1 Chronicles 5:25 - after the gods 2 Chronicles 25:2 - but not 2 Chronicles 25:20 - sought Isaiah 44:15 - he maketh a god

Verse 15

a prophet: 2 Chronicles 25:7, 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 20:37, 2 Samuel 12:1-6

Why hast thou sought: 2 Chronicles 24:20, Judges 2:2, Jeremiah 2:5

the gods: Psalms 96:5

which could: 2 Chronicles 25:11, 2 Chronicles 25:12, Psalms 115:4-8, Isaiah 44:9, Isaiah 44:10, Isaiah 46:1, Isaiah 46:2, Jeremiah 10:7, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 10:20

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:13 - Thou hast done 1 Kings 12:8 - General 1 Kings 13:4 - Lay hold 2 Kings 20:14 - What said 1 Chronicles 5:25 - after the gods 2 Chronicles 10:8 - he forsook 2 Chronicles 28:9 - he went out Psalms 107:11 - contemned Proverbs 9:7 - General Isaiah 39:3 - came Isaiah Jeremiah 22:1 - Go Jeremiah 36:19 - General Ezekiel 3:20 - because Acts 4:17 - let 2 Timothy 4:3 - they will

Verse 16

Art thou made: 2 Chronicles 16:10, 2 Chronicles 18:25, 2 Chronicles 24:21, Amos 7:10-13, Matthew 21:23

forbear: Proverbs 9:7, Proverbs 9:8, Isaiah 30:10, Isaiah 30:11, Jeremiah 29:26, 2 Timothy 4:3, Revelation 11:10

determined: Heb. counselled, 2 Chronicles 18:20, 2 Chronicles 18:21, Exodus 9:16, Deuteronomy 2:30, 1 Samuel 2:25, Isaiah 46:10, Acts 4:28, Romans 9:22, Ephesians 1:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:28 - for in that Joshua 11:20 - it was Judges 20:13 - would not 1 Samuel 13:13 - Thou hast done 1 Samuel 25:17 - evil 2 Samuel 12:13 - David 2 Samuel 17:14 - the Lord 1 Kings 12:8 - General 1 Kings 12:15 - the cause 1 Kings 13:4 - Lay hold 1 Kings 22:23 - the Lord 2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah 2 Kings 20:14 - What said 2 Kings 24:3 - Surely 2 Chronicles 10:8 - he forsook 2 Chronicles 10:15 - the cause 2 Chronicles 25:20 - it came of God 2 Chronicles 26:19 - he 2 Chronicles 28:9 - he went out Job 17:4 - General Psalms 5:10 - let Psalms 107:11 - contemned Psalms 141:5 - the righteous Proverbs 1:5 - a man Proverbs 5:12 - and my Proverbs 10:17 - he that Proverbs 29:1 - General Ecclesiastes 4:13 - will no more be Isaiah 19:3 - and I Jeremiah 22:1 - Go Jeremiah 26:9 - Why Jeremiah 27:15 - that I Jeremiah 29:27 - therefore Jeremiah 43:4 - obeyed Jeremiah 43:7 - So Jeremiah 50:36 - dote Ezekiel 33:4 - whosoever heareth Amos 5:10 - hate John 9:34 - and dost Acts 4:17 - let Galatians 4:16 - become

Verse 17

am 3178, bc 826

Amaziah: 2 Chronicles 25:13, 2 Kings 14:8-14

let us see: 2 Samuel 2:14, Proverbs 20:3

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 13:12 - his might 2 Chronicles 25:21 - they saw one another Proverbs 17:14 - beginning Proverbs 20:18 - and Luke 2:43 - General

Verse 18

thistle: or, furze-bush, or thorn, Judges 9:8-15, 1 Kings 4:33

a wild beast: Heb. a beast of the field, Psalms 80:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:9 - The thistle 2 Chronicles 18:22 - and the Lord

Verse 19

heart: 2 Chronicles 26:16, 2 Chronicles 32:25, Deuteronomy 8:14, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 28:25, Daniel 5:20-23, Habakkuk 2:4, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5

to boast: Jeremiah 9:23, 1 Corinthians 1:29

why shouldest: 2 Chronicles 35:21, Proverbs 18:6, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 26:17, Luke 14:31

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 17:20 - his heart 2 Chronicles 18:19 - go up Ezekiel 28:5 - and thine Ezekiel 31:10 - and his Daniel 11:12 - his heart Romans 1:30 - boasters

Verse 20

it came of God: 2 Chronicles 25:16, 2 Chronicles 22:7, 1 Kings 12:15, Psalms 81:11, Psalms 81:12, Acts 28:25-27, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, 1 Peter 2:8

sought: 2 Chronicles 25:14

Reciprocal: Judges 14:4 - it was of the Lord Judges 20:13 - would not 2 Samuel 17:14 - the Lord 2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah

Verse 21

they saw one another: That is, "they fought against each other." To face an enemy, or to face one another, is still a common expression. The reason of this war was evidently the injury the army of Joash had done to the unoffending inhabitants of Judah. The ravages committed by them were totally unprovoked, base, and cowardly: they fell upon women, old men, and children, and butchered them in cold blood, when all the effective men were gone with their king against the Edomites. The quarrel of Amaziah were certainly just, yet he was put to the rout: he fell, and Judah with him, as Joash had said; and the reason was, because "it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hands of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom." This was the reason why the Israelites triumphed. 2 Chronicles 25:17

Bethshemesh: Joshua 21:16, 1 Samuel 6:9, 1 Samuel 6:19, 1 Samuel 6:20

Verse 22

put to the worse: Heb. smitten, 2 Chronicles 28:5, 2 Chronicles 28:6

fled: 1 Samuel 4:10, 1 Kings 22:36

Verse 23

took Amaziah: 2 Chronicles 33:11, 2 Chronicles 36:6, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 29:23, Daniel 4:37, Obadiah 1:3, Luke 14:11

Jehoahaz: 2 Chronicles 21:17, 2 Chronicles 22:1, Ahaziah, 2 Chronicles 22:6, Azariah

gate of Ephraim: Nehemiah 8:16, Nehemiah 12:39

corner gate: Heb. the gate of it that looketh, 2 Chronicles 26:9, Jeremiah 31:38

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:24 - Ahaziah 2 Kings 14:13 - the gate of Ephraim 2 Chronicles 26:2 - restored 2 Chronicles 32:5 - that was broken Zechariah 14:10 - from Benjamin's

Verse 24

all the gold: 2 Chronicles 12:9, 2 Kings 14:14

the hostages also: It is probable that these hostages were given in order that Amaziah might regain his liberty.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:13 - the gate of Ephraim 1 Chronicles 26:15 - Asuppim

Verse 25

am 3179-3194, bc 825-810

Joash: 2 Kings 14:17-22, Jehoash

Verse 26

rest of the acts: 2 Chronicles 20:34, 2 Kings 14:15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 16:11 - Judah 2 Chronicles 35:27 - deeds

Verse 27

am 3194, bc 810

after the time: 2 Chronicles 15:2

following: Heb. after

made: Heb. conspired, 2 Chronicles 24:25, 2 Kings 14:19

Lachish: Joshua 10:31

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:15 - General Joshua 22:18 - following 2 Samuel 4:5 - went 2 Kings 12:20 - his servants 2 Chronicles 33:24 - General

Verse 28

the city of Judah: that is, the city of David, as it is, 2 Kings 14:20

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 9:28 - General 2 Kings 14:19 - they made 2 Chronicles 26:2 - restored 2 Chronicles 33:24 - General