2 Chronicles 25

2Ch 25:1-4.

AMAZIAH

BEGINS TO

REIGN

WELL.

1. Amaziah was twenty and five years old,

&c.--(See

2Ki 14:1-6).

2Ch 25:5-10.

HAVING

HIRED AN

ARMY OF

ISRAELITES AGAINST THE

EDOMITES, AT THE

WORD OF A

PROPHET

HE

LOSES A

HUNDRED

TALENTS AND

DISMISSES

THEM.

5. Amaziah . . . made captains,

&c.--As all who were capable of

bearing arms were liable to serve, it was quite natural in making up

the muster-roll to class them according to their respective families

and to appoint the officers of each corps from the same quarter; so

that all the soldiers who formed a regiment were brothers, relatives,

friends. Thus the Hebrew troops were closely linked together, and had

strong inducements to keep steady in their ranks.

found them three hundred thousand choice men--This was only a fourth

part of Jehoshaphat's army

(2Ch 17:14-19),

showing how sadly the kingdom of Judah had, in the space of eighty-two

years, been reduced in population by foreign wars, no less than by

internal corruptions. But the full amount of Amaziah's troops may not

be here stated.

6. He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour

. . . for an hundred talents of silver--This sum was paid

into the treasury of Jehoahaz--not given as bounty to the mercenaries

who were obliged to serve at the sovereign's call; their remuneration

consisting only in the booty they might obtain. It was about

£50,000 sterling, being 10s. per man, including

officers--a very paltry pay, compared with the bounty given for a

soldier in this country. But it must be remembered that in ancient

times campaigns were short and the hazards of the service comparatively

small.

7, 8. there came a man of God--sent to dissuade Amaziah from the course

he was following, on the ground that "the Lord is not with Israel." This

statement was perfectly intelligible to the king. But the historian,

writing long after, thought it might require explanation, and therefore

added the comment, "with all the children of Ephraim." Idolatry had long

been the prevailing religion in that kingdom, and Ephraim its

headquarters. As to the other part of the prophet's advice

(2Ch 25:8),

considerable obscurity hangs over it, as the text stands; and hence

some able critics have suggested the insertion of "not" in the middle

clause, so that the verse will be thus: "But if thou wilt go [alone],

do, be strong for the battle; God shall not make thee fall

before the enemy."

10. separated them . . . the army . . . out of Ephraim . . . their

anger was greatly kindled against Judah--Amaziah, who knew his

position as the Lord's viceroy, complied with the prophet's counsel,

and, consenting to forfeit the purchase money of the Israelitish

soldiers, discharged them. Exasperated at this treatment, they resolved

to indemnify themselves for the loss of their expected booty, and so on

their return home they plundered all the towns in their way, committing

great havoc both of life and property without any stoppage, as the king

of Judah and his army had set out on their expedition

(2Ki 14:7).

11. valley of salt--This ravine lies to the south of the Dead Sea.

The arms of Amaziah, in reward for his obedience to the divine will,

were crowned with victory--ten thousand of the Edomites were slain on

the field, and as many taken prisoners, who were put to death by

precipitation "from the top of the rock"

[2Ch 25:12].

This rock might be situated in the neighborhood of the battlefield, but

more probably it formed one of the high craggy cliffs of Selah (Petra),

the capital of the Edomites, whither Amaziah marched directly from the

Valley of Salt, and which he captured

(2Ki 14:7).

The savage cruelty dealt out to them was either in retaliation for

similar barbarities inflicted on the Hebrews, or to strike terror into

so rebellious a people for the future. The mode of execution, by

dashing against stones

(Ps 137:9),

was common among many ancient nations.

14-16. Amaziah . . . brought the gods of the children of Seir--The

Edomites worshipped the sun under different forms and with various

rites. But burning incense upon altars was a principal act of worship,

and this was the very thing Amaziah is described as having with strange

infatuation performed. Whether he had been captivated with the beauty

of the images, or hoped by honoring the gods to disarm their spite at

him for his conquest and harsh treatment of their votaries, his conduct

in establishing these objects of religious homage in Jerusalem was

foolish, ignorant, and highly offensive to God, who commissioned a

prophet to rebuke him for his apostasy, and threaten him with the

calamity that soon after befell him.

16. as he talked with him, &c.--Those who were invested with the

prophetic character were entitled to counsel kings. Amaziah, had he

not been offended by unwelcome truths, would have admitted the claim of

this prophet, who was probably the same that had given him counsel

previous to the war with Edom. But victory had elated and blinded him.

2Ch 25:17.

HE

PROVOKES

JOASH TO

HIS

OVERTHROW.

17. Then Amaziah . . . sent to Joash . . . Come, let us see one another

in the face--(See on

2Ki 14:8-20).