Abijam reigned — So his reign began with Jeroboam's eighteenth year, continued his whole nineteenth year, and ended within his twentieth year, in which also Asa's reign began. And thus one and the same year may be attributed to two several persons.... [ Continue Reading ]
Three years — That is, part of three years. Abishalom — Or, of Absalom, as he is called 2 Chronicles 11:21. And because he is here mentioned as a known person, without any addition of his kindred or quality, some conceive that this was Absalom's daughter, called properly Tamar, 2 Samuel 14:27, and f... [ Continue Reading ]
A lamp — A son and successor to perpetuate his name and memory, which otherwise had gone into obscurity. Jerusalem — That he might maintain that city, and temple, and worship, as a witness for God, in the world, against the Israelites and heathen world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Save only — This and the like phrases are not to be understood as exclusive of every sinful action, hut only of an habitual and continued apostasy from God, as the very phrase of turning aside from God, or from his commands, doth constantly imply. And thus it is most true. For David's other sins wer... [ Continue Reading ]
War between, &c. — Upon Jeroboam's invading him with a great army: acting then in his own defence, he totally routed Jeroboam, so that he was quiet the rest of his reign.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mother's — That is, his grandmother's, as appears from 1 Kings 15:2, who is called his mother, as David is called Abijam's father, 1 Kings 15:3. And his grand — mother's name may be here mentioned, rather than his mother's, because his mother was either an obscure person, or was dead, or unwilling t... [ Continue Reading ]
Right — As to the government of his kingdom, and the reformation, and establishment of God's worship. That is right indeed which is so in God's eyes. Those are approved whom he commendeth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sodomites — All whom he could find out; but some escaped his observation, as appears from 1 Kings 22:46. Idols, &c. — And if his father had made them, he had the more need to remove them, that he might cut off the entail of the curse.... [ Continue Reading ]
He removed — He took from her either the name and authority of queen regent, which she, having been Rehoboam's wife, and Abijam's mother, took to herself during Asa's minority; or, the dignity of the queen mother, and those guards, or instruments of power, which she had enjoyed and misemployed. An I... [ Continue Reading ]
High places — 2 Chronicles 14:3. He took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places where they were worshipped: but as for those high places where the true God was worshipped he did not take them away; partly, because he thought there was no great evil in them, which had been used by D... [ Continue Reading ]
His father — Abijam, when he was in distress, and going to fight with Jeroboam, 2 Chronicles 13:1, though afterwards he did not perform his vows, nor bring in what he had devoted; probably he was prevented by death.... [ Continue Reading ]
Built — That is, repaired and fortified.... [ Continue Reading ]
Were left — What either Shishak had left, or Abijam, or Asa, or others, both of Israel or Judah had dedicated; which probably was not inconsiderable, because Asa had got great spoils from Zerah, 2 Chronicles 14:9, and he and his numerous and prosperous people, did at this time express a great zeal f... [ Continue Reading ]
Tirzah — Now the royal city of Israel. There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king should make a second invasion. So Asa met with success in this ungodly course as good men sometimes meet with disappointment in a good cause and course. So there... [ Continue Reading ]
None, &c. — All sorts of persons were obliged to come, except those who were disabled by age, or infirmity, or absence, or by the public service of the king and kingdom in other places. Built — Repaired and strengthened them, for they were built before.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless — Notwithstanding the great things which he had done, and the glory and prosperity which he enjoyed, he felt the effects of human infirmity, and of his own sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
Two years — Not compleat, as appears from 1 Kings 15:28 , 1 Kings 15:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
In his sin — In the worship of the calves which his father had made.... [ Continue Reading ]
Even, &c. — It was threatened, 1 Kings 14:15, that Israel should be as a reed shaken in the water. And so they were, when, during the single reign of Asa, their government was in seven or eight different hands. Jeroboam was upon the throne at the beginning of his reign, and Ahab at the end of it: be... [ Continue Reading ]
Any — Any of the males of that family. According, &c. — So God overruled Baasha's ambition and cruelty, to fulfil his own prediction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Because — So that same wicked policy which he used to establish the kingdom in his family, proved his and their ruin: which is very frequently the event of ungodly counsels.... [ Continue Reading ]