The top of the rock - Rather, “the height of Selah” (or, Petra), near which the battle was probably fought. On the cruel features of the Edomite wars, see 1 Kings 11:15; Ezekiel 25:12; Obadiah 1:14. read more
To revenge the insult 2 Chronicles 25:10, the troops of Joash proceeded southward and ravaged all the Jewish towns and villages between the Israelite frontier and Bethboron. This invasion probably took place while Amaziah was still in Edom. read more
2 Chronicles 25:11-12. Amaziah strengthened himself With his own men only. And smote of the children of Seir ten thousand Who, it appears, were left dead upon the field. How many were only wounded: and not killed, we are not told; but undoubtedly not a few. Other ten thousand did the children of Judah cast down from the rock A most cruel execution, which can no way be justified, unless the children of Seir had been used to serve in that manner all they took captive of Judah. read more
2 Chronicles 25:13. The army which Amaziah sent back, fell upon the cities of Judah Thus God chastised those cities of Judah for their idolatries, which were found most in the parts next to Israel. The men of Israel had corrupted them, and now are a plague to them. And thus Amaziah also was punished for having entered into an alliance with idolaters, though at the prophet’s reproof he broke it off: and perhaps, likewise, this calamity befell his subjects, because he had used his victory... read more
Prosperity followed by disaster (25:1-28:27)Succeeding kings of Israel are passed over in silence (2 Kings 13:1-25). Judah was to have nothing to do with the northern kingdom, not even to the hiring of Israelite soldiers. Amaziah took the advice, and was rewarded with victory in a battle against Edom. But the victory, instead of increasing his dependence on God, gave him a feeling of independence. He turned from God and worshipped idols. The ungodly northern kingdom then became God’s instrument... read more
valley of salt. South of the Dead Sea. the children of Seir: i.e. the Edomites. read more
them: i.e. men, not villages. read more
11. valley of salt—This ravine lies to the south of the Dead Sea. The arms of Amaziah, in reward for his obedience to the divine will, were crowned with victory—ten thousand of the Edomites were slain on the field, and as many taken prisoners, who were put to death by precipitation "from the top of the rock" [2 Chronicles 25:12]. This rock might be situated in the neighborhood of the battlefield, but more probably it formed one of the high craggy cliffs of Selah (Petra), the capital of the... read more
I. Amaziah ch. 25The Chronicler selected three events from Amaziah’s reign to teach important spiritual lessons.First, Amaziah followed the Mosaic Law faithfully in dealing with the people who had killed his father (2 Chronicles 25:1-4; cf. Deuteronomy 24:16). These actions transpired at the beginning of his reign.Second, the king obeyed God partially in his war with the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:5-16). He unwisely hired mercenary soldiers to help him rather than seeking the Lord’s help (2... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 25:11
The children of Seir - i. e. the Edomites (see the marginal reference “h”). read more