Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 14:7

"He slew of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by war, and called the name of it Joktheel, unto this day." — 2 Kings 14:7 (ASV)

He slew. —Rather, it was he who smote.

The valley of salt. —Compare to 2 Samuel 8:13. El-Ghôr, the salt plain of the Dead Sea, which Amaziah would traverse in marching against Edom.

Ten thousand. —The number slain in one conflict.

Selah. —Hebrew, the Sèlac, that is, the crag. This is the Hebrew name of the famous rock-hewn town of Petra.

By war. —Or, in the battle. After the decisive engagement, Amaziah’s troops forced their way through the narrow defile leading to the Edomite capital, probably meeting no great resistance.

Joktheel.—A town of Judah bore this name (Joshua 15:38). The name probably means God’s ward, referring to the wonderful strength of the town's natural position. Others explain it as subjugated by God.

To this day — that is, to the time when the original document was written, from which the writer derived this information.

The reduction of the capital implies that of the country. The defeat of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20 and following) was thus avenged.

Chronicles gives a more detailed account of the reconquest of Edom and its consequences (2 Chronicles 25:5–16). It is related there that Amaziah hired a large force of mercenaries from the northern kingdom but sent them home again at the command of a prophet.

On their way back, they attacked and plundered some of the cities of Judah.

The fall of Selah was followed by a massacre of captives. The gods of Edom, which Amaziah carried off, proved a snare to him. (See the Notes on the passage.)