_A.M. 3148. B.C. 856._ The reign of Jehoahaz, who follows the sin of Jeroboam; is oppressed by Hazael, and relieved by prayer, 2 Kings 13:1. Joash his son succeeds him in the kingdom, and in his idolatry, 2 Kings 13:10. Elisha foretels to Joash three victories over the Syrians, and dies; Joash's la... [ Continue Reading ]
_The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel_ Who, knowing the only living and true God to be a spirit, an eternal mind, an infinitely wise and mighty, just and holy, and absolutely perfect Being, besides all their other sins and abominations, still continued to _change the glory_ of this their... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hearkened unto him_ Not for his sake, for God regards not the prayers of the wicked and impenitent, but for other reasons, expressed 2 Kings 13:23. _For he saw the oppression of Israel_ His chosen and once beloved people. He now helps them because of his former and ancient kindness to them... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord gave Israel a saviour_ Either Elisha, below, (2 Kings 13:14,) or rather, Jehoash the son of this Jehoahaz, (2 Kings 13:25,) and Jeroboam his son, 2 Kings 14:25. Both of these were instrumental in working out great deliverances for Israel, although they were wicked men, who still kept up th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither did he leave_, &c. That is, the king of Syria, who so terribly oppressed the Israelites. For this verse must be considered as connected with 2 Kings 13:4 2 Kings 13:5 being included in a parenthesis, as is done in our translation. By _the people_, of whom the king of Syria left so few, the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his might_ For, though he had not success, he showed much personal valour and courage. Which is observed to intimate, that the Israelites were not conquered because of the baseness and cowardice of their king; but merely from the righteous and dreadful judgments of God, who was now resolved to... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the thirty and seventh year of Joash, king of Judah_, &c. A difficulty arises in comparing this with 2 Kings 13:1, where it is said, Jehoahaz began to reign in the twenty-third year of Joash, king of Judah, and reigned seventeen years: from whence it follows, that this Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joash slept with his fathers_ The sacred writer does not here conclude the history of Joash, for he afterward relates great things done by him. But having to speak of the sickness and death of Elisha, upon which those things depended, he introduces that before he proceeds further to relate his... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elisha was fallen sick_, &c. Elisha lived long; for it was now about sixty years since he was first called to be a prophet. It was a great mercy to Israel, and especially to the sons of the prophets, that he was continued so long a burning and a shining light. Elijah finished his testimony in a fou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take bow and arrows_ This was to represent the wars he was to have with the Syrians. _Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands _ To signify to him, that in all his expeditions against the Syrians, he must look up to God for direction and strength; must reckon his own hands insufficient for him, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Smite upon the ground_ The former sign portended victory: and this was to declare the number of the victories. _He smote thrice, and stayed_ Through his inattention to, or unbelief of, the sign just given, concerning war with, victory over, and deliverance from Syria, or through indifference about... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elisha died, and they buried him_ In or near Samaria. The spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha, and yet he is not conveyed to heaven in a fiery chariot as Elijah was, but goes the common way of all flesh out of the world, and is _visited with the visitation of all men._ If God honour some above others... [ Continue Reading ]
_As they were burying a man_ Carrying him to his grave; _they spied a band of men_ A party of Moabites coming toward them, but at some distance; _and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha_ This sepulchre being near the place where they then were, they removed some stone, or opened some door... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord had compassion, and would not destroy them as yet_ The several expressions, of nearly the same import, used in this verse, call upon us to admire the triumphs of divine goodness in the deliverance of such a provoking people. He foresaw they would destroy themselves at last; but, as yet, he... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jehoash took again the cities_, &c. This was a great kindness to the cities themselves, which were hereby rescued from the yoke of oppression, and to the whole kingdom, which was much strengthened by the reduction of those cities. _Three times did Joash beat him_ Just as oft as he had struck th... [ Continue Reading ]