Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 14:9

"And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle." — 2 Kings 14:9 (ASV)

The thistle. Or bramble or briar. (Song of Solomon 2:2.) The Septuagint and Vulgate render “thistle;” the Syriac, “blackthorn” (Prunus silvestris).

Give thy daughter to my son to wife. Perhaps hinting at Amaziah’s demand for the surrender of Israel (the “daughter” of Jehoash) to Judah (the “son” of Amaziah).

And there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon. Rather, and the wild beasts that were in Lebanon passed over it. So the Septuagint and Vulgate.

It is obvious to compare this brief but most pithy parable with that of Jotham (Judges 9:8–15).

The contrast between the northern and southern kingdoms regarding military strength and resources, and the disdainful tolerance with which the former regarded the latter, could hardly have found more forceful expression.