Ver. l. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz.] See 2 Kings 23:30.
Ver. 2. Jehoahaz was twenty and three.] 2 Kings 23:31.
Ver. 3. Put him down.] And, as some think, afterwards put him to death in Egypt. Jehoahaz was but a younger brother, as is elsewhere noted, yet he would needs reign, and was soon after dethroned. He portrayed the ambitious man rightly, that pictured him snatching at a crown, and falling, with this motto, Sic mea fata sequor. See 2 Kings 23:33.
Ver. 4,5. See on 2 Kings 23:34,35, &c.
Ver. 6. Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar.] See 2 Kings 24:1.
Ver. 7. Nebuchadnezzar also carried off the vessels,] viz., Some of them, for some were carried to Babylon at other times. (2 Kings 24:13 Jeremiah 52:19)
Ver. 8. And that which was found in him,] i.e., That appeared to be in him after he came to the kingdom; for magistracy showeth a man. The Jewish doctors, and from them other expositors not a few, tell us that on the dead body of this king were found certain brand marks, made in honour of the gods whom he served. Whereupon one crieth out, Quid miserius et infelicius, &c. What could be more wretched and miserable than for a crowned king so far to embase himself as to become a stigmatic of the devil? This was a heathenish practice.
Ver. 9. Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign,] i.e., When his father Jehoiakim began to reign, for when himself began, he was eighteen. (2 Kings 24:8) For another solution [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:8”] The like relative sense may that speech admit. (2 Kings 16:2)
Ver. 10. And when the year was expired.] Heb., At the return of the year; that is, in the spring. (2 Kings 24:10,11) “ Namque in se sua per vestigia volvitur annum. ”
Ver. 11-13. [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:10”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:11”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:17”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:18”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:19”] [See Trapp on “2Ki 24:20”]
Ver. 14. Moreover, all the chief priests and the people, &c.] There was a general defection, and, as physicians phrase it, Corruptio totius substantiae, a rabble of rebels fighting against Heaven.
Ver. 15. Rising up betimes, and sending.] Manicando et mittendo, instar boni patris familias, saith A Lapide: like a good householder, who is up with the first, giving directions, and ordering the affairs of his family.
Ver. 16. But they mocked the messengers of God.] Yea, misused them, murdered them. See 2 Chronicles 30:10 Mt 21:34-36. Until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people.] Desperate sinners procure implacable wrath, irrevocable decrees, exterminating judgments. Men’s sins put thunderbolts into God’s hands, who may well say, Non nisi coactus, Not till needs must: “fury is not in me.” As a woman bringeth not forth without pain, a bee stingeth not till provoked, so neither doth God proceed to punish till there be no remedy. Till there was no remedy.] Heb., No healing. They would have no healing, and now they can have none though they would. Cantharides and scorpions are said to carry about them a remedy for their own poison; at ipsi peccato sua inest poena et supplicium; but so doth not sin, for it is sure of punishment, when once it hateth to be healed especially. Nowhere else in Scripture but here, and Proverbs 29:1, is it said “there is no remedy”; and it is fearful. What can we of this nation expect but an utter extermination for our notorious obstinacy? See the sentence, and tremble at it. (Ezekiel 24:13,14) Josephus reporteth that in his time his countrymen the Jews were grown so desperately wicked, that if the Romans had not destroyed them, without doubt either the earth would have swallowed them up, or fire from heaven have consumed them.
Ver. 17. Who slew their young men…in the house of their sanctuary.] This was barbarous inhumanity. Alaricus the Goth, when, after two years’ siege, he had taken the city of Rome, spared such as had fled into the churches, and there taken sanctuary.
Ver. 18. And all the vessels of the house of God.] See 2 Kings 24:13-15.
Ver. 19. And they burnt the house of God.] Which those Jews had so fearfully profaned. And burnt all the palaces thereof.] See 2 Kings 25:9.
Ver. 20. Carried he away to Babylon.] See 2 Kings 25:11. Where they were servants to him and his sons,] viz., To Nebuchadnezzar, Evilmerodach, and Belshazzar, according as had been foretold. (Jeremiah 27:6,7)
Ver. 21. To fulfil the word of the Lord.] See Jeremiah 25:9,12 29:10 Da 9:2. Until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths.] As had likewise been foretold. (Leviticus 26:34,35 23:32) The land was eased from the wicked weight of such inhabitants, which brought upon it heavy curses, and toiled and tired it out with continual tillage.
Ver. 22,23. See Ezra 1:1, [See Trapp on “Ezr 1:1”] Laus Deo in aeterum