Ver. 1. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem.] The Sanhedrim especially there sitting. Made Ahaziah.] Called also Azariah, (2 Chronicles 22:6) and Jehoahaz, (2 Chronicles 21:17) for he was trinomous. Had slain all the eldest.] After that they had carried them captive. (2 Chronicles 21:17)
Ver. 2. Forty and two years old.] Heb., The son of two and forty years was Ahaziah when he began to reign; i.e., in the last of the two and forty years of the house of Omri, in which it fell, and Ahaziah with it. See on 2 Kings 8:26.
Ver. 3. For his mother was his counsellor.] Mothers have a great influence upon their children, whether for good or evil. Catherine de Medici, queen mother of France, for instance, a second Athaliah.
Ver. 4. Wherefore he did evil.] See 2 Kings 8:27, where he is said to be the son-in-law to the house of Ahab. So that what by his mother’s command, and what by his wife’s importunity, he was utterly marred.
Ver. 5. And went with Jehoram.] See 2 Kings 8:28. He went to fetch his death.
Ver. 6. And he returned to be healed.] See 2 Kings 9:15. And Azariah.] See on 2 Chronicles 22:1.
Ver. 7. And the destruction.] Heb., The treading down, sc., with the feet of Jehu. By coming to Joram.] See 2 Kings 9:21, &c.
Ver. 8. When Jehu was executing.] 2 Kings 9:22, &c. And the sons of the brethren.] 2 Kings 10:13,14.
Ver. 9. And he sought Ahaziah.] 2 Kings 9:27. Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat:] Holiness hath its honour in the worst hearts. Here also Ahaziah receiveth courtesy from Jehoshaphat’s dust. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.] Either by reason of their tender age, or for want of partakers, or by reason of Athaliah’s might.
Ver. 10. But when Athaliah.] See 2 Kings 11:1. Destroyed all the seed royal.] Such another wicked woman was the mother of King Edward, called the martyr, whom she basely butchered; and because his brother Ethelred, who succeeded him, being but ten years of age, mourned for him, his mother was so enraged thereat, that taking wax candles which were readiest at hand, therewith she scorched him so sore, that he could never after endure wax candles to be burnt before him. Mr Clark’s Martyrol., p. 31.
Ver. 11,12. [See Trapp on “2Ki 11:2”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 11:3”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 11:4”]