Ver. 1. Amaziah was twenty and five years old.] See on 2 Kings 14:1,2. And he reigned twenty and nine years.] But above half that time he lived in very great contempt among his own people, basely and idly.
Ver. 2. And he did that which was right.] A hypocrite may do such works as are materially good, which yet may never prove so formally and eventually.
Ver. 3,4. [See Trapp on “2Ki 14:5”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 14:6”]
Ver. 5. Three hundred thousand choice men.] His great-grandfather Jehoshaphat had eleven hundred thousand. Their idolatry and evil practices had wasted and weakened them.
Ver. 6. For a hundred talents of silver.] This was no great hire, but the hope of spoil put them on; as it did likewise those thirteen thousand soldiers of Germany, almost all Lutherans, led by George Fransperg—a general in the imperial army under conduct of Charles Burbon, that sacked Rome in the time of Pope Clement VII—with no other pay but of one crown apiece of his own goods, and promise to lead them to Rome, where they should meet with good booty. Hist. of Counc. of Trent, 43.
Ver. 7. But there came a man of God to him.] This was, say the Hebrews, Amos, the father of the prophet Isaiah, being brother to Amaziah; but that is but a conjecture. Let not the army.] What marvel that Christians prevail so little against the Turks, considering what soldiers they make use of! Sedar Olam.
Ver. 8. But if thou wilt go.] If thou hast a mind to wrestle a fall with the Almighty, at thy own peril be it.
Ver. 9. The Lord is able.] Before he had said, 2 Chronicles 25:8, God hath power to help and to cast down.] God’s power is a main prop to faith, and men never doubt of God’s will to do them good, but they do at the same time doubt of his power.
Ver. 10. And they returned home in great anger.] Better that wicked persons be offended than that we have any unnecessary dealings with them, since we are sure to carry out of their company either guilt or grief.
Ver. 11. And Amaziah strengthened himself.] Cum coepisset esse animo fortl et fidenti, He had a good name; it imported “one strong in the Lord and in the power of his might”; but he was far enough from that. And went to the valley of Salt.] See 2 Kings 14:7.
Ver. 12. And cast them down from the top.] See 2 Kings 14:7.
Ver. 13. From Samaria even to Bethhoron.] All along the breadth of Judah. Some will have this not to have been done till Amaziah’s return from the slaughter of Edom, for a punishment of his pride and idolatry. Lyra. Mayer.
Ver. 14. He brought the gods of the children of Seir.] The old Romans, having subdued any nation, set up their gods to themselves also, to win their favour; Amaziah might do this haply for the like reason. The Jews fable that when those ten thousand Edomites were cast down from the rock, a voice from the idols was heard, This cometh upon you because ye have neglected to worship us; and that Amaziah, hearing this, did as he did. The truth is, he was given up of God unto this sin of idolatry, for a just punishment of his pride and hypocrisy; as were also the Turks to the Mohammedan superstition, which they received together with the kingdom of Persia, won by Tangrolipix, sultan of the Turks, A.D. 1030. So that hard it is to say, saith the historian, which nation lost more, -the Saracens and Persians by the loss of so great a kingdom, or the Turks by embracing so great a vanity. Turk. Hist.
Ver. 15. And he sent unto him a prophet.] When he might have sent him to hell with a thunderbolt; as the patientest man upon earth would have done likely, had he been in God’s place and power. Why hast thou sought after the gods?] It may be that the Edomites had hid their tutelary gods, and that Amaziah sought them out. The word signifieth a diligent, narrow search.
Ver. 16. Forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?] Desine, vel dabis poenas; “ An expectas ut Quintilianus ametur? ” I Know that God hath determined.] Heb., Counselled. Uncounsellable people have God’s marks upon them.
Ver. 17. Then Amaziah…took advice.] But wanted good counsellors, or else he was too much wedded to his own will: as was Xerxes about his expedition against Greece, to his own ruin.
Ver. 18-20. , &c., to the end of the chapter. [See Trapp on “2Ki 14:8”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 14:9”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 14:10”]