Verse 4

Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

High places — It is hard to get clear of those corruptions, which by long usage have gained prescription.

Verse 6

But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Slew not — Wherein he shewed faith and courage, that he would obey this command of God, though it was hazardous to himself, such persons being likely to seek revenge for their father's death.

Verse 7

He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

Joktheel — Which signifies, the obedience of God, that is, given him by God as a reward of his obedience to God's message by the prophet, 2 Chronicles 25:8,9.

Verse 8

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

Sent — This challenge he sent, from self-confidence, and a desire of advancing his glory. But he that is fond either of fighting or going to law, will probably be the first that repents it.

Verse 9

And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

Saying, … — By the thistle, a low and contemptible, yet troublesome shrub, he understands Amaziah; and by the cedar, himself, whom he intimates to be far stronger than he, and out of his reach.

Trod down — And with no less ease shall my soldiers tread down thee and thy forces.

Verse 10

Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

Glory — Content thyself with that glory, and let not thine ambition betray thee to ruin.

Verse 12

And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.

Tents — Josephus says, when they were to engage, they were struck with such a terror, that they did not strike a stroke, but every man made the best of his way.

Verse 13

And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

Ahaziah — Amaziah's pedigree comes in somewhat abruptly, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah: Probably because he now smarted, for the iniquity of his ancestors.

Verse 20

And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

On horses — Or, with horses, in a chariot.

Verse 21

And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.

Azariah — This Azariah is called Uzziah, chap15:30, both names signifying the same thing for substance; that, God's help; and this, God's strength. But this was not done till twelve years after his father's death: so long the government was in the hands of protectors.

Verse 25

He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.

The sea — Unto the dead sea, once a goodly plain, Genesis 13:10, which was their southern border.

Verse 26

For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.

Was bitter — Whereby he was moved to pity and help them, though they were an unworthy people.

Nor any left — Both towns and country were utterly laid waste.

Verse 27

And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

Said not — Not yet; he had not yet declared this, as afterwards he did by the succeeding prophets.

Verse 29

And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.

Jeroboam — It was in the reign of this Jeroboam, that Hosea began to prophesy, and he was the first that wrote his prophecies. At the same time Amos prophesied, soon after Micah, and then Isaiah in the days of Ahaz and Hezekiah. Thus God never left himself without witness, but in the darkest ages of the church, raised up some to be burning and shining lights, to their own age, by their preaching and living; and a few by their writings to reflect light upon us, on whom the ends of the world are come.