Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 25

AMaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: and his mothers name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

Of this Verse, and v. 2, 3, 4. see the Notes on 2 King. 14. [illegible: 1+ letters], &c.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span] ▪

6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel , for an hundred talents of silver.

Out of the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes.

7 But there came a man of God to him, sa[illegible: 1+ letters]ing, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel , to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.

He hath forsaken them, and for their sakes will curs[illegible: 1+ letters] thy Forces if thou joynest thy self with them.

8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battel : God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

Take Courage and strengthen thy self as much as thou canst. It is an Ironical Concession like that, Go, and prosper.

10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah , and they returned home in great anger.

Because they were both disgraced by this Rejection, and disappointed of that Prey and Spoil which they hoped to gain, whereas now they were sent away empty; for the 100 Talents probably were given to their Officers onely to raise Men for this Service; that Sum being otherwise too small to be distributed into so many hands.

Marginal references: Heb. to [illegible: 1 word] place.; Heb. in hea[illegible: 1+ letters] of anger▪

13 But the souldiers of the army which Amamaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battel, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon , and smote three thousand of them , and took much spoil.

To wit, Beth-horon the Lower, which was in the Tribe of Benjamin; and from thence to Samaria, either 1. to the City of Samaria; for the Kings of Judah had taken divers Places within the Kingdom of Israel. Or, 2. To the Kingdom of Samaria: Beth-horon and all other Places between that City and their own Kingdom▪

i. e. Killed, as that word is generally understood.

Not 3000 Cities, but 3000 Persons dwelling in them▪ who possibly opposed them in taking the Spoil, which was the Thing they sought.

Marginal references: Heb. the sons of the band.

15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand ?

Therefore thou art not onely ungrateful and impious, but also ridiculously foolish, in offending that God whose Power and Goodness thou hast now found, and in worshipping such gods of whose Impotency thou hast had late Experience.

16 And it came to pass as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the the kings counsel ? forbear, why shouldest thou be smitten ? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkned unto my counsel.

Who art thou that presumest to direct and govern my Affairs without my Commission?

Provoke me no further, lest I cause thee to be killed for thy Sawciness.

This he might know either by the plain and positive Rules of Gods Word, as Prov. 29. 1. or by the Suggestion of Gods Spirit.

Marginal references: Heb. counselled.

17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice , and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

i. e. About the Injury which the Israelites had done to his People, v. 13. and how he should repair it. But of this and the following Verses see on 2 King. 14. 8, &c.

Marginal references: 2 Kin. 14. 8.

20 But Amaziah would not hear, for it came of God , that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they [illegible: 1+ letters]ought after the gods of Edom.

Who gave him up to his own Errour and Passion in order to his Ruine.

Marginal references: Ch. 22. 7.

24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom , and the treasures of the kings house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

i. e. With Obed-edoms Posterity, to whom the Custody of the Sacred Treasures was committed. See 1 Chron. 26. 15.