Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 14
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Kings 14
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Kings 14
"In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign." — 2 Kings 14:1 (ASV)
The history of Judah is resumed in 2 Kings 14:1–22, followed by a brief account of the contemporary history of Israel under Jeroboam II in 2 Kings 14:23–29. The earlier narrative runs parallel with 2 Chronicles 25.
"He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem." — 2 Kings 14:2 (ASV)
Joash of Judah reigned for forty years (2 Kings 12:1), and Joash of Israel ascended the throne in his namesake’s thirty-seventh year (2 Kings 13:10). Therefore, we would expect Amaziah to have succeeded his father in the fourth, rather than in the second, year of Joash of Israel. The usual explanation for this discrepancy is to suppose a double accession of the Israelite Joash—as co-regent with his father in the thirty-seventh year of his namesake, and as sole king two years afterward.
"And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, yet not like David his father: he did according to all that Joash his father had done." — 2 Kings 14:3 (ASV)
He did ... as Joash - There is a curious parallel between the lives of Joash and Amaziah. Both were zealous for Yahweh in the earlier portion of their reigns, but in the latter part fell away; both disregarded the rebukes of prophets; and both, having forsaken God, were in the end conspired against and slain (Compare to 2 Chronicles 24:25; 2 Chronicles 25:27).
"And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, that he slew his servants who had slain the king his father:" — 2 Kings 14:5 (ASV)
The phrase, confirmed in his hand (2 Kings 15:19), usually expresses the authorization of a new reign by an imperial superior (see 2 Kings 15:19 note). Here, however, it describes the result when the troubles following the murder of Joash had passed away. The new king’s authority was generally recognized by his subjects.
"but the children of the murderers he put not to death; according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, as Jehovah 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 die for his own sin." — 2 Kings 14:6 (ASV)
The children of the murderers he did not kill - This seems to be noted as a rare instance of clemency (compare the note on 2 Kings 9:26). It is strange at first sight that, when the Law contained so very plain a prohibition (see marginal references), the contrary practice should have become established. But we must remember, first, that this was the general custom in the East ; and secondly, that it had the sanction of one who might be thought to have thoroughly known the mind of the legislator, namely, Joshua .
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