2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. 4 And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the "dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD, 5 Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance; and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found. 6 But it was so, that, in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash, the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house. 7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them), Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? Now, 1 Kings 15. 14. 22. 43. c. 14. 4. Jer. 2. 20. •holinesses, or, holy things. c Ex. 30. 13. c. 22. 4. † of the souls of his estimati m, Lev. 27. 2. tanende.h tinued much longer, for he was cut off when he was but 47 years old, v. 1. 2. That he did that which was right, as long as Jehoiada lived to instruct him, v. 2. Many young men have come too soon to an estate, have had wealth, and power, and liberty, before they knew how to use them, and it has been of bad consequence to them; but against this danger Joash was well guarded, (1.) By having such a good director as Jehoiada was, so wise, and experienced, and faithful to him. (2.) By having so much wisdom as to hearken to him and be directed by him, even when he was grown up. Note, It is a great mercy to young people, and especially to young princes, and all young men of consequence, to be under good direction, and to have those about them that will instruct them to do that which is right in the sight of the Lord; and they then do wisely and well for themselves, when they are willing to be counselled and ruled by such: a child left to himself, brings his mother to shame, but a child left to such a tuition, may bring himself to honour and comfort, 3. That the high places were not taken away, v. 3. Up and down the country, they had altars both for sacrifice and incense, to the honour of the God of Israel only, but in competition with, and at least in implicit contempt of, his altar at Jerusalem. These private altars, perhaps, had been more used in the late bad reigns than formerly, because it was not safe to go up to Jerusalem, nor was the temple service performed as it should have been; and, it may be, Jehoiada connived at them, because some well-meaning people were glad of them when they could not have better, and he hoped that the reforming of the temple, and putting things into a good posture there, would, by degrees, draw people from their high places, and they would dwindle of themselves; or perhaps neither the king nor the priest had zeal enough to carry on their reformation so far, nor courage and strength enough to encounter such an inveterate usage. V. 4-16. We have here an account of the repairing of the temple in the reign of Joash. therefore, receive no more money of your acquaint- 9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the "door put therein all the money that was brought into the hoù e of the LORD. 10 And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's "scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD. 11 And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders that wrought upon the house of the LORD, upon the heart of a man. d Ex. 35. 5. & in the twentieth year and third year. e 2 Chr. 24. 5, c. I threshold. ¶ or, secretary. ** bound up. 11 brought it forth. repairs, and to take care that the work was done; the king had the affairs of his kingdom to mind, and could not himself inspect this affair, but he employed the priests to manage it, the fittest persons, and most likely, one would think, to be hearty in it. 1. He gave them orders for the levying of the money of the dedicated things; they must not stay till it was paid in, but they must call for it where they knew it was due in their respective districts, either as redemption money, by virtue of the law, (Ex. 30. 13,) or as estimation money, by virtue of the law, (Lev. 27. 2, 3,) or as a free-will offering, (v. 4;) this they were to gather every man of his acquaintance, and it was supposed that there was no man but had acquaintance with some or other of the priests. Note, We should take the pportunity that God gives us of exciting those we have a particular acquaintance with, to that which is good. 2. He gave them orders for laying out the money they had levied, in repairing the breaches of the house, v. 5. IV. This method did not answer the intention, v. 6. Little money was raised; either the priests were careless, and did not call to the people to pay in their dues, or the people had so little confidence in the priests' management, that they were backward to pay money into their hands: if they were distrusted without cause, it was the people's shame; if with, it was more theirs. But what money was raised, was not applied to the proper use; the breaches of the house were not repaired; the priests thought it might serve as well as it had done, and therefore put it off from time to time. Church work is usually slow work, but it is pi y that churchmen, of all men, should be slow at it. Perhaps, what little money they raised, they thought it necessary to use for the maintenance of the priests, which must needs fall much short, when ten tribes were wholly revolted, and the other two wretchedly corrupted. V. Another method was therefore taken; the king has his heart much upon it, to have the breaches of the house repaired, v. 7. His apostacy, at last, gives us canse to question whether he had as good an affection for the service of the temple as he had for the structure; many have been zealous for building and beautifying churches, and for other forms of godliness, who yet have been strangers to the power of it: however, we commend his zeal, and blame him not for reproving even his tutor Jehoiada himself when he saw him remiss; and so convincing was his reproof, that the priests owned themselves unworthy to be any longer employed, and consented to the taking of some other measures, and the giving up of the money they had received, into other hands, v. 8. It was honestly done, when they found they had not spirit to do it themselves, not to hinder other peo I. It seems, the temple was gone out of repair; though Solomon built it very strong, of the best materials, and in the best manner, yet, in time, it went to decay, and there were breaches found in it, (v. 5:) in the roofs, or walls, or floors, the ceiling, or wainscoting, or windows, or the partitions of the courts: even temples themselves are the worse for the wearing; the heavenly temple will never wax old. Yet it was not only the teeth of time, that made these breaches, the sons of Athaliah had broken up the house of God, (2 Chr. 24. 7,) and, out of enmity to the service of the temple, had damaged the buildings of it, and the priests had not taken care to repair the breaches in time, so that they went worse and worse. Un-ple from doing it. Another course was taken, worthy were those husbandmen to have this valuable vineyard let out to them upon such easy terms, who could not afford to keep the wine-press in due and tenantable repair, (Matt. 21. 33) justly did their great Lord sue them for this permissive waste, and by his judgments recover locum vastatum-for dilapilations, (as the law speaks,) when this neglected temple was laid even with the ground. II. The king himself was (as it should seem) the first and forwardest man that took care for the repair of it; we do not find that the priests complained of it, or that Jehoiada himself was active in it, but the king was zealous in the matter; 1. Because he was king, and God expects and requires from those who have power, that they use it for the maintenance and support of religion, the redress of grievances, and reparation of decays, for the exciting and engaging of ministers to do their part, and people theirs. 2. Because the temple had been both his nursery and his sanctuary, when he was a child, in a grateful remembrance of which, he now appeared zealous for the honour of it. They who have experienced the comfort and benefit of religious assemblies, will make the reproach of them their burden, (Zeph. 3. 18,) the support of them their care, and the prosperity of them their chief joy. III. The priests were ordered to collect money for these 1. For raising money, v. 9, 10. The money was not paid into private hands, but put into a public chest, and then people brought it in readily, and in great abundance, not only their dues, but their free-will offerings for so good a work. The high priest and the secretary of state counted the money out of the chest, and laid it by in specie for the use to which it was appropriated. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. The money that was given, (1.) Was dropped into the chest through a hole in the lid, past recall, to in' imate that wha has been once resigned to God, must never be resumed every man, as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give. (2.) The chest was put on the right hand as they went in, which, some think, is alluded to in that rule of charity which our Saviour gives, Let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth. But while they were getting all they could, for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon that which was the stated maintenance of the priests, (v. 16;) the trespass money and the sin money which were given to them by that law, Lev. 5. 15, 16, were reserved to them. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. (1.) They 2. For laying out the money that was raised. did not put it into the hands of the priests, who were not versed CHAPTER XIII. 12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches This chapter brings us again to the history of the kings of Israel, and particularly of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it. 13 Howbeit, there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD: 14 But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired there with the house of the LORD. 15 Moreover, freckoned the men into whose and they delivered the with ty to be bestowed on workmen: for they 16 The trespass money and dealt faithfully, brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'. 17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. 18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. 19 And the rest of the acts of Jehoash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 20 And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Jehoash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. 21 For Jozacharm the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. went forth. fc. 22.7. g Lev. 5. 15, 18. A Lev. 7. 7. Num. 16. 9. ic. 8. 12. 1 Kings 15. 18. c. 18. 15, 16. 1 up. I c. 14. 5. ior, Bethmillo. 2 Chr. 24. 26, Zabad. § or, Shimrith. in affairs of this nature, having other work to mind, but into the hands of those that did the work, or, at least, had the oversight of it, v. 11. They were fittest to be intrusted with this business, whose employment lay that way; Tractant fabrilia fabri -every artist has his trade assigned; but let not those who are called to war, the holy warfare, entangle themselves in the affairs of this life. They that were thus intrusted, did the business, [1.] Carefully; purchasing materials, and paying workmen, v. 12. Business is done with expedition, when those are employed in it that understand it, and know which way to go about it. [2.] Faithfully; such a reputation they got for honesty, that there was no occasion to examine their bills, or audit their accounts; let all that are intrusted with public money, or public work, learn hence to deal faithfully, as those that know God will reckon with them, whether men do or no; those that think it is no sin to cheat the government, cheat the country, or cheat the church, will be of another mind, when God shall set their sins in order before them. (2.) They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, in vessels of gold or silver, but in necessary repairs first, (v. 13;) whence we may learn, in all our expenses, to give that the preference, which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves. After the repairs were finished, we find the overplus turned into plate for the service of the temple, 2 Chr. 24. 14. V. 17-21. When Joash had revolted from God, and was become both an idolater and a persecutor, the hand of the Lord went out against him, and his last state was worse than his first. 1. His wealth and honour became an easy prey to his neighbours. Hazael, when he had chastised Israel, (ch. 10. 32,) threatened Judah and Jerusalem likewise; took Gath, a strong city, (v. 17,) and thence intended to march with his forces against Jerusalem, the royal city, the holy city, but whose defence, on account of its sinfulness, was departed. Joash had neither spirit nor strength to make head against him, but gave him all the hallowed things, and all the gold that was found both in his exchequer and in the treasures of the temple, (v. 18,) to hire him to march another way. If it were lawful to do this for the public safety, better part with the gold of the temple than expose the temple itself; yet, (1.) If he had not forsaken God, and forfeited his protection, his affairs had not been brought to this extremity, but he might have forced Hazael to retire. (2.) He diminished himself, and made himself very mean, lost the honour of a prince and a soldier, and of an Israelite too, in alienating the dedicated things. (3.) He impoverished himself and his kingdom. And, (4.) He tempted Hazael to come again, when he could bring home so rich a booty without striking a stroke. And it had this effect, for, the next year, the host of Syria came up against Jerusalem, destroyed the princes, and plundered the city, 2 Chr. 24. 23, 24. 2. His life became an easy prey to his own servants. They VOL. I.-114 of the family of Jehu. We have here an account of the reign, I. Of his son Jehoahaz, which continued 17 years. His bad character in general, v. 1, 2. The trouble he was brought into, (v. 3,) and the low ebb of his affairs, v. 7. His humiliation before God, and God's compassion toward him, v. 4, 5, and again, v. 23. His continuance in his idolatry notwithstanding, v. 6. His death, v. 8, 9. II. Of his grandson Joash, which continued 16 years. Here is a general account of his reign in the usual form, (v. 11-13,) but a particular account of the death of Elisha in his time. The kind visit the king made him, (v. 14,) and the encouragement he gave the king in his wars with Syria, v. 15-19. His death and burial (v. 20,) and a miracle wrought by his bones, v. 21. And, lastly, The advantages Joash gained against the Syrians, according to his predictions, v. 24, 25. I son of Jhaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. N three and year of the 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. 3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel; and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael 'king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days. 4 And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. 5 (And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime. 6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein and there remained" the grove also in Samaria.) 7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had de the twentieth year and third year. I walked after. a Judg. 2. 14. b c. 8. 12. 12. 17. c Ps. 78. 34. d Ex. 3. 7. c. 14. 26. ever. 25. 1 yesterday and third day. She walked. I stood. f 1 Kings 16. 33. conspired against him, and slew him, (v. 20, 21;) not aiming at his kingdom, for they opposed not his son's succeeding him, but to be avenged on him for some crime he had committed; and we are told in Chronicles, that his murdering of the prophet, Jehoiada's son, was the provocation. In this, how unrighteous soever they were, (vengeance was not theirs, nor did it belong to them to repay,) God was righteous; and this was not the only time that he let even kings know that it was at their peril, if they touched his anointed, and did his prophets any harm; and that when he comes to make inquisition for blood, the blood of prophets will run the account very high. Thus fell Joash, who began in the spirit, and ended in the flesh. God usually sets marks of his displeasure upon apostates, even in this life; for they, of all sinners, do most reproach the Lord. NOTES TO CHAPTER XIII. V. 1-9. This general account of the reign of Jehoahaz, and of the state of Israel during his 17 years, though short, is long enough to let us see two things which are very affecting and instructive. I. The glory of Israel raked up in the ashes, buried and lost, and turned into shame. How unlike does Israel appear here to what it had been, and might have been! How is its crown profaned, and its honour laid in the dust! 1. It was the honour of Israel, that they worshipped the only living and true God, who is a Spirit, an eternal mind, and had rules, by which to worship him, of his own appointment: but by changing the glory of the incorruptible God into the similitude of an ox, the truth of God into a lie, they lost this honour, and levelled themselves with the nations that worshipped the work of their own hands. We find here that the king followed the sins of Jeroboam, (v. 2,) and the people departed not from them, but walked therein, v. 6. There could not be a greater reproach than these two idolized calves were to a people that were instructed in the service of God, and intrusted with the lively oracles. In all the history of the ten tribes we never find the least shock given to that idolatry, but in every reign, still the calf was their god, and they separated themselves to that shame. 2. It was the honour of Israel, that they were taken under the special protection of Heaven; God himself was their Defence, the Shield of their help, and the Sword of their excellency. Happy wast thou, O Israel, upon this account. But here, as often before, we find them stripped of this glory, and exposed to the insults of all their neighbours. They, by their sins, provoked God to anger, and then he delivered them into the hands of Hazael and Ben-hadad, v. 3. Hazael oppressed Israel, v. 22. Surely never was any nation so often plucked and pillaged by their neighbours as Israel was. This they brought upon themselves by sin; when they had provoked God to pluck up their (905 ́) stroyed them, and had made them like the dust by thrashing. 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash "his son reigned in his stead. 10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. 11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin; but he walked therein. 12 And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not writAm. 1.3. A ver. 10, Jehoash. i alone. k In consort with his father, c. 14. 1. c. 14. 15, 25. hedge, the goodness of their land did but tempt their neighbours to prey upon them. So low was Israel brought in this reign by the many depredations which the Syrians made upon them, that the militia of the kingdom, and all the force they could bring into the field, were but fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen, a despicable muster, v. 7. Are the thousands of Israel come to this? How is the gold become dim! The debauching of a nation, will certainly be the debasing of it. II. Some sparks of Israel's ancient honour appearing in these ashes. It is not quite forgotten, notwithstanding all these quarrels, that this people is the Israel of God, and he the God of Israel. For, 1. It was the ancient honour of Israel, that they were a praying people and here we find somewhat of that honour revived; for Jehoahaz their king, in his distress, besought the Lord, (v. 4;) applied himself for help, not to the calves, (what help could they give him?) but to the Lord. It becomes kings to be beggars at God's door; and the greatest of men to be humble petitioners at the footstool of his throne. Need will drive them to it. 2. It was the ancient honour of Israel, that they had God nigh unto them in all that which they called upon him for, (Deut. 4. 7,) and so he was here. Though he might justly have rejected the prayer, as an abomination to him, yet the Lord hearkened unto Jehouhaz, and to his prayer for himself and for his people, (v. 4,) and he gave Israel a saviour, (v. 5;) not Jehoahaz himself, for, all his days, Hazael oppressed Israel, (v. 22,) but his son, to whom, in answer to his father's prayers, God gave success against the Syrians, so that he recovered the cities which they had taken from his father, v. 25. This gracious answer God gave to the prayer of Jehoahaz, not for his sake, or the sake of that unworthy people, but in remembrance of his covenant with Abraham, (v. 23,) which, in such exigencies as these, he had long since promised to have respect to, Lev, 26. 42. See how swift God is to show mercy; how ready to hear prayers; how willing to find out any reason to be gracious! else he would not look so far back as that ancient covenant which Israel had so often broken, and forfeited all the benefit of. Let this invite and engage us for ever to him; and encourage even those that have forsaken him, to return and repent; for there is forgiveness with him, that he may be feared. V. 10-19. We have here Jehoash, or Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, and grandson of Jehu, upon the throne of Israel. Probably, the house of Jehu intended some respect to the house of David, when they gave this heir-apparent to the crown, the same name with him that was then king of Judah. I. The general account here given of him and his reign, is much the same with what we have already met with, and has little in it remarkable, v. 10-13. He was none of the worst, and yet, because he kept up that ancient and politic idolatry of the house of Jeroboam, it is said, He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. That one evil was enough to leave an indelible mark of infamy upon his name; for, how little evil soever men saw in it, it was, in the sight of the Lord, a very wicked thing; and we are sure that his judgment is according to truth. It is observable, how lightly the inspired penman passes over his acts, and his might wherewith he warred, leaving it to the common historians to record them, while he takes notice only of the respect he showed to Elisha. One good action shall make a better figure in God's book, than 20 great ones; and, in his account, it gains a man a much better reputation to honour a prophet, than to conquer a king and his army. II. The particular account of what passed between him and Elisha, has several things in it remarkable. 1. Elisha fell sick, v. 14. Observe, (1.) He lived long, for it was now about 60 years since he was first called to be a prophet. It was a great mercy to Israel, and especially to the sons of the prophets, that he was continued so long, a burning and shining light. Elijah finished his testimony in a fourth part of that time. God's prophets have their day set them, some longer, others shorter, as Infinite Wisdom sees fit. (2.) All the latter part of his time, from the anointing of Jehu, which was 45 years before Joash began his reign, we find no mention made of him, or of any thing he did, till we find him here upon his death-bed. ten in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 13 And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. 14 Now Elisha was fallen sick, of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father! the chariot "of Israel, and the horsemen thereof! 15 And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows: and he took unto him bow and arrows. 16 And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow: and he put his hand upon it ; and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. 17 And he said, Open the window eastward : and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot: and he shot. And he said, "The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from m c. 14. 9, &c. 2 Chr. 25. 17, &c. n c. 2. 12. • Make thine hand to ride. o Judg. 7. 20. He might be useful to the last, and yet not so famous as he had sometimes been. The time of his flourishing was less than the time of his living. Let not old people complain of obscurity, but rather be well pleased with retirement. (3.) The Spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha, and yet he is not sent for to heaven in a fiery chariot, as Elijah was, but goes the common road out of the world, and is visited with the visitation of all men. If God honour some above others, who yet are not inferior to them in gifts or graces, who shall find fault? May he not do what he will with his own? 2. King Joash visited him in his sickness, and wept over him, v. 14. This was an evidence of some good in him, that he had a value and affection for a faithful prophet; so far was he from hating and persecuting him as a troubler of Israel, that he loved and honoured him as one of the greatest blessings of his kingdom, and lamented the loss of him. There have been those who would not be obedient to the word of God, and yet have had the faithful ministers of it so manifested in their consciences, that they could not but have an honour for them. Observe here, (1.) When the king heard of Elisha's sickness, he came to visit him, and to receive his dying counsel and blessing; and it was no disparagement to him, though a king, thus to honour one whom God honoured. Note, It may turn much to our spiritual advantage, to attend the sick-beds and death-beds of good ministers and other good men, that we may learn to die, and may be encouraged in religion by the living comforts they have from it in a dying hour. (2.) Though Elisha was very old, had been a great while useful, and, in the course of nature, could not continue long; yet the king, when he saw him sick and likely to die, wept over him. The aged are most experienced, and therefore can worst be spared. In many causes, one old witness is worth ten young ones. (3.) He lamented him in the same words with which Elisha had himself lamented the removal of Elijah, My father, my father. It is probable he had heard or read them in that famous story. Note, Those that give just honours to the generation that goes before them, are often recompensed with the like from the generation that comes after them. He that watereth, that watereth with tears, shall be watered, shall be so watered also himself, when it comes to his own turn, Prov. 11. 25. (4.) This king was herein selfish, he lamented the loss of Elisha, because he was the chariots and horsemen of Israel, and therefore could be ill spared, when Israel was so poor in chariots and horsemen, as we find they were, (v. 7,) when they had in all but fifty horsemen and ten chariots. They who consider how much good men contribute to the defence of a nation, and the keeping off of God's judgments, will see cause to lament the removal of them. 3. Elisha gave the king great assurances of his success against the Syrians, Israel's present oppressors, and encouraged him to prosecute the war against him with vigour. Elisha was aware that therefore he was loath to part with him, because he looked upon him as the great bulwark of the kingdom against that common enemy, and depended much upon his blessings and prayers in his designs against them. "Well," says Elisha, "if that be it that makes thee thus sad, let not that trouble thee, thou shalt be victorious over the Syrians, when I am in my grave: I die, but God will surely visit you. He has the residue of the Spirit, and can raise up other prophets to pray for you." God's grace is not tied to one hand; he can bury his workmen, and yet carry on his work. To animate the king against the Syrians, he gives him a sign: orders him to take bow and arrows, (v. 15,) to intimate to him that, in order to the deliverance of his kingdom from the Syrians, he must put himself into a military posture, and resolve to undergo the perils and fatigues of war; God would be the Agent, but he must be the instrument. And that he should be successful, he gives him a token, by directing him, (1.) To shoot an arrow toward Syria, v. 16, 17. The king, no doubt, knew how to manage a bow better than the prophet did, and yet, because the arrow now to be shot, was to have its significancy from the divine institution, as if he were now to be disciplined, he receives the words of command from the prophet. Put thy hand upon the bow: Open the window: Shoot. Nay, Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in PAphek, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither till thou have consumed them. cast he them from his presence as yet." 18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. 19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it; whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. 20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. 21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. * 22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 24 So Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead. 25 And Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, took! again, out of the hand of Ben-hadad, the son of Hazael, the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war: three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel. CHAPTER XIV. This chapter continues the history of the succession in the kingdoms both of Judah and Israel. I. In the kingdom of Judah, here is the entire history (as much as is recorded in this book) of Amaziah's reign; his good character, (v. 1-4 ;) the justice he executed on the murderers of his father, (v. 5, 6;) his victory over the Edomites, (v. 7;) his war with Joash, and his defeat in that war, (v. 814;) his fall, at last, by a conspiracy against him, (v. 17-20;) and the begin ning of the history of Azariah, v. 21, 22. 11. In the kingdom of Israel, the conclusion of the reign of Joash, (v. 15, 16,) and the entire history of Jeroboam his son, the second of that name, v. 23-29. How many great men are made to stand in a little compass in God's book! 23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and IN the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with 'Abraham, Isaac, P 1 Kings 20. 26. 8 ver. 25. ⚫ went down. r c. 8. 12. ver. 3. • Ex. 2. 24, 25. Gen. 17. 2-5. Ex. 32. 13. Neh. 9. 32. Ps. 106, 45. as if he had been a child that never drew a bow before, Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands, to signify that in all his expeditions against the Syrians, he must look up to God for direction and strength; must reckon his own hands not sufficient for him, but go on, in a dependence upon divine aid; He teacheth my hands to war, Ps. 18. 34.-144. 1. The trembling hands of a dying prophet, as they signified the concurrence and communication of the power of God, gave this arrow more force than the hands of the king in his full strength. The Syrians had made themselves masters of the country that lay eastward, ch. 10. 33. Thitherward therefore the arrow is directed, and such an interpretation given by the prophet of the shooting of this arrow, though shot in one respect, at random, as made it, [1.] A commission to the king to attack the Syrians, notwithstanding their power and possession. [2.] A promise of success therein; it is the arrow of the Lord's deliverance, even the arrow of deliverance from Syria. It is God that commands deliverance; and when he will effect it, who can hinder? The arrow of deliverance is his. He shoots out his arrows, and the work is done, Ps. 18. 14. "Thou shall smite the Syrians in Aphek, where they are now encamped, or where they are to have a general rendezvous of their forces, till thou have consumed those of them that are vexatious and oppressive to thee and thy kingdom." (2.) To strike with the arrows, v. 18, 19. The prophet having in God's name assured him of victory over the Syrians, he will now try him what improvement he will make of his victories, whether he will push them on with more zeal than Ahab did, when Ben-hadad lay at his mercy. For the trial of this, he bids him smite with the arrows on the ground; "Believe them brought to the ground by the arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and laid at thy feet; and now show me what thou wilt do to them when thou hast them down, whether thou wilt do as David did when God gave him the necks of his enemies, beat them small as the dust before the wind," Ps. 18. 40, 42. The king showed not that eagerness and flame which one might have expected upon this occasion, but smote thrice, and no more. Either out of foolish tenderness to the Syrians, he smote as if he were afraid of hurting them, or, at least, of ruining them; willing to show mercy to them that never did, nor ever would, show mercy to him or his people. Or, perhaps, he smote but thrice, and very coldly, because he thought it but a silly thing, that it looked idle and childish for a king to beat the floor with his arrows; and thrice was often enough for him to play the fool, merely to please the prophet. But, by contemning the sign, he lost the thing signified, sorely to the grief of the dying prophet, who was wroth with him, and told him he should have smitten five or six times, Not being straitened in the power and promise of God, why should he be straitened in his own expectations and endeavours? Note, It cannot but be a trouble to good men, to see those they wish well to, stand in their own light, and forsake their own mercies; to see them lose their advantages against their spiritual enemies, and so give them advantage. V. 20-25. We must here attend, I. The sepulchre of Elisha: he died in a good old age, and they buried him; and what follows, shows, 1. What power there was in his life to keep off judgments; for, as soon as he was dead, the bands of the Moabites invaded the land; not great armies to face them in the field, but roving skulking bands, that murdered and plundered by surprise. God has many ways to chastise a provoking people. The king was apprehensive of danger only from the Syrians, but, behold, the Moabites invade him. Trouble comes sometimes from that point whence we least feared it. The mentioning of this, immediately upon the death of Elisha, intimates, that the removal of God's faithful prophets is a presage of judgments coming. When ambassadors are recalled, heralds may be expected. 2. What power there was in his dead body; it communicated of Israel, reigned Amaziah, the son of Joash king of Judah. 2 He was twenty and five years old when he be face. u Gen. 6. 3. returned and took. v ver. 18, 19. a c. 13. 10. 2 Chr. 25. 1, &c. life to another dead body, v. 21. This great miracle, though very briefly related, was a decided proof of his mission, and a confirmation of all his prophecies. It was also a plain indication of another life after this; when Elisha died, there was not an end of him, for then he could not have done this. From operation we may infer existence. By this it appeared that the Lord was still the God of Elisha, therefore Elisha still lived, for he is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And it may, perhaps, have a reference to Christ, by whose death and burial the grave is made to all believers a safe and happy passage to life. It likewise intimated that though Elisha was dead, yet, in the virtue of the promises made by him, Israel's interests, though they seemed quite sunk and lost, should revive and flourish again. The neighbours were carrying the dead body of a man to the grave, and, fearing to fall into the hands of the Moabites, a party of whom they saw at a distance near the place where the body was to be interred, they laid the corpse in the next convenient place, which proved to be Elisha's sepulchre. The dead man, upon touching his bones, revived, and it is likely, went home again with his friends. Josephus relates the story otherwise; That some thieves, having robbed and murdered an honest traveller, threw his dead body into Elisha's grave, and it immediately revived. Elijah was honoured in his departure, Elisha was honoured after his departure. God thus dispenses honours as he pleases, but, one way or other, the rest of all the saints will be glorious, Is. 11. 10. It is good being near the saints, and having our lot with them both in life and death. II. The sword of Joash king of Israel; and we find it successful against the Syrians. 1. The cause of his success was God's favour; (v. 23,) The Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them in their miserics, and respect unto them. The several expressions here of the same import, call upon us to observe and admire the triumphs of divine goodness in the deliverance of such a provoking people. It was of the Lord's mercies, that they were not consumed; because he would not destroy them as yet. He foresaw they would destroy themselves, at last, but, as yet, he would reprieve them, and give them space to repent. The slowness of God's processes against sinners must be construed to the honour of his mercy, not the impeachment of his justice. 2. The effect of his success, was, Israel's benefit. He recovered out of the hands of Ben-hadad the cities of Israel which the Syrians were possessed of, v. 25. This was a great kindness to the cities themselves, which were hereby brought from under the yoke of oppression; and to the whole kingdom, which was much strengthened by the reduction of those cities. Thrice Joash beat the Syrians, just as often as he had struck the ground with the arrows, and then a full stop was put to the course of his victories. Many have repented, when it was too late, of their distrusts, and the straitness of their desires, NOTES TO CHAPTER XIV. V. 1-7. Amaziah is the king whom here we have an account of, the son and successor of Joash : let us take a view of him, 1. In the temple; and there he acted, in some measure, well, like Joash, but not like David, v. 3. He began well, but did not persevere. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, kept up his attendance on God's altars, and his attention to God's word, yet not like David. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did merely to keep up the usage, but we must do it as they did it, from the same principle of faith and devotion, and with the same sincerity and resolution. It is here taken notice of, as before, that the high places were not taken away, v. 4. It is hard to get clear of those corruptions, which, by long usage, have gained both prescription and a favourable opinion. 2. On the bench; and there we have him doing justice on the gan to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did. 4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. 5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants dwhich had slain the king his father. 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. 7 He slew of Edom, in the valley of Salt, ten thousand, and took 'Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheels unto this day. 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. 9 And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Le ec. 12. 3. d c. 12. 20. Deut. 24. 16. f Ez. 18. 4, 20. or, the rock, Ob. 3. 3. In the field; and there we find him triumphing over the Edomites, v. 7. Edom had revolted from under the hand of Judah in Joram's time, (ch. 8. 22,) now he makes war upon them to bring them back to their allegiance; kills 10,000, and takes the chief city of Arabia the Stony, called Selah, a rock, and gave it a new name. We shall find a larger account of this expedition, 2 Chr. 25. 5, &c. V. 8-14. For several successions after the division of the kingdoms, that of Judah suffered much by the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, for several successions, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance and affinity they made with them. But now we meet with hostility between them again, which had not been for some ages before. I. Amaziah, upon no provocation, and without showing any cause of quarrel, challenges Joash into the field; (v. 8,) “Come, let us look one another in the face; let us try our strength in battle." Had he challenged him to a personal duel only, the error had remained with himself, but each must bring all their forces into the field, and thousands of lives on both sides must be sacrificed to his capricious humour. Hereby he showed himself proud, presumptuous, and prodigal of blood. Some think that he intended to avenge the injury which the dismissed disgusted Israelites, had lately done to his country, in their return, (2 Chr. 25. 13,) and that he had also the vanity to think of subduing the kingdom of Israel, and reuniting it to Judah. A fool's lips thus enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. They that challenge, are chargeable with that beginning of strife, which is as the letting forth of water. He that is eager either to fight, or to go to law, may perhaps have enough of it quickly, and be the first that repents it. II. Joash sends him a grave rebuke for his challenge, with advice to withdraw it, v. 9, 10. 1. He mortifies his pride, by comparing himself to a cedar, a stately tree, and Amaziah to a banon 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. 10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry tat home; for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall," even thou, and Judah with thee? 11 But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at "Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 12 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents. 13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria. 15 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with tal thy house. m Prov. 3. 30. 15. 18. 25. 8. n Josh. 19. 38. 1 Sam. 6. 9, &c. 1 smitten. o Neh. 8. 16. p Jer. 31. 38. Zech. 14. 10. g1 Kings 7. 51. T C. 13. 12. thistle, a sorry weed; telling him, he was so far from fearing him, that he despised him, and scorned as much to have any thing to do with him, or make any alliance with him, as the cedar would to match his daughter to a thistle. The ancient house of David he thinks not worthy to be named the same day with the house of Jehu, though an upstart. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! 2. He foretels his fall; a wild beast trode down the thistle, and so put an end to his treaty with the cedar; so easily does Joash think his forces can crush Amaziah, and so unable does he think him to make any resistance. 3. He shows him the folly of his challenge; "Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, a weak, unarmed, undisciplined body of men, and therefore thinkest thou canst carry all before thee, and subdue the regular forces of Israel with as much ease; thine heart has lifted thee up." See where the root of all sin lies; it is in the heart, thence it flows, and that must bear the blame: it is not providence, the event, the occasion, whatever it is, that makes men proud, or secure, or discontented, or the like, but it is their own heart that does it, " Thou art proud of the blow thou hast given to Edom, as if that had made thee formidable to all mankind." Those wretchedly deceive themselves, that magnify their own performances, and, because they have been blessed with some little success and reputation, conclude themselves fit for any thing, and no less sure of it. 4. He counsels him to be content with the honour he had won, and not to hazard that, by grasping at more, that was out of his reach; Why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, as fools often do, that will be meddling? Prov. 20. 3. Many would have had wealth and honour enough, if they had but known when they had enough; he warns him of the consequence, that it would be fatal not to himself only, but to his kingdom, which he ought to protect. III. Amaziah persisted in his resolution, and the issue was bad, he had better have tarried at home, for Joash gave him such a look in the face as to put him to confusion; challengers commonly prove to be on the losing side. 1. His army was routed and dispersed, v. 12. Josephus says, When they were to engage, they were struck with such a terror, that they did not strike a stroke, but every one made the best of his way. 2. He himself was taken prisoner by the king of Israel, and then had enough of looking him in the face. Amaziah's pedigree comes in here somewhat abruptly, (the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah,) because, perhaps, he had gloried in the dignity of his ancestors, or because he now smarted for their iniquity. 3. The conqueror entered Jerusalem, which tamely opened to him, and yet he brake down their wall, (and, as Josephus says, drove his chariot in triumph through the breach,) in reproach to them, and that he might, when he pleased, take possession of the royal city. 4. He plundered Jerusalem, took away all that was valuable, and returned to Samaria, laden with spoils, v. 14. It was said of Joash, that he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and of Amaziah, that he did that which was right; and yet Joash triumphs thus over Amaziah; and why so? Because God would show, in Amaziah's fate, that he resists the proud; or because, whatever they were otherwise, Joash had lately been respectful to one of God's prophets, (ch. 13, 14,) but Amaziah had been abusive to another, (2 Chr. 25. 16;) and God will honour those who honour him in his prophets, but those who despise them, and him in them, shall be lightly esteemed. V. 15-22. Here are three kings brought to their graves in these few verses. |