2 Kings 23:30-33

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:26-37

Lamentable unskillfulness and incorrigibility. "Notwithstanding the Lord," etc. This short fragment of Jewish history reflects great disgrace on human nature, and may well humble us in the dust. It brings into prominence at least two subjects suggestive of solemn and practical thought. I. THE WORTHLESSNESS OF UNWISELY DIRECTED EFFORTS TO BENEFIT MEN , HOWEVER WELL INTENDED . Josiah, it seems from the narrative, was one of the best of Israel's kings. "Like unto him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:28-30

The events of Josiah's reign from his eighteenth to his thirty-first year are left a blank, both here and in Chronicles. Politically, the time was a stirring one. The great invasion of Western Asia by the Scythic hordes (Herod; 1.103-106), which is alluded to by Jeremiah 6:1-5 , Ezekiel 38:1-23 :39; and perhaps by Zephaniah 2:6 , probably belongs to it; as also the attack of Psamatik I. upon Philistia (Herod; 2.105), the fall of the Assyrian empire, and the destruction of Nineveh: the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:29-37

Pharaoh-Nechoh and the Jewish kings. A new power had risen in Egypt which was to play a temporary, but influential, part in the evolution of God's purposes towards Judah. Assyria was at this time in its death-agonies. The scepter of empire was soon to pass to Babylon. But it was Pharaoh-Nechoh who, following the designs of his own ambition, was to set in motion a train of events which had the effect of bringing Judah within the power of the King of Babylon. I. THE DEATH OF JOSIAH ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:30

And his servants carried him in a chariot —his "second chariot," according to the writer of Chronicles ( 2 Chronicles 35:24 ), which was probably one kept in reserve in case flight should be necessary, of lighter construction, and drawn by fleeter horses, than his war-chariot— dead from Megiddo. Wounded to death, that is. From Chronicles we gather that his wound, which was from an arrow, was not immediately fatal ( 2 Chronicles 35:23 , 2 Chronicles 35:24 ); but that he died of it on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:31

Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign. He was, therefore, younger than his brother Eliakim, who, three months later, was "twenty-five years old" ( 2 Kings 23:36 ). His original name seems to have been "Shallum," as above noticed (see the comment on 2 Kings 23:30 ). Probably he changed it to "Jehoahaz" ("Possession of Jehovah") on his accession. And he reigned three months in Jerusalem —three months and tern days , according to Josephus— and his mother's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:31

2 Kings 24:7 Two royal brothers: the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. I. THEY WERE BROTHERS IN WICKEDNESS . Of each of them it is said, "He did evil in the sight of the Lord." What the particular sins of Jehoahaz were we are not told. But the sins of Jehoiakim are fully and fearlessly stated and denounced by Jeremiah. "Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:31-33

SHORT REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ . Pharaoh-Nechoh, having defeated Josiah, left Jerusalem and Judaea behind him, while he pressed forward on his original enterprise (see 2 Kings 23:29 ) into Northern Syria and the district about Carehemish, or the tract north-east of Aleppo. It was three months before he had completed his conquests in these quarters, and, having arranged matters to his satisfaction, set out on his return to Egypt. During these three months Jehoahaz bore rule at Jerusalem ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:32

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (see the comment on 2 Kings 23:31-33 ). Josephus says that he was ἀσεβὴς καὶ μιαρὸς τὸν τρόπον ( l. s. c. )—"irreligious and of impure habits." Ezekiel ( Ezekiel 19:3 ) seems to call him a persecutor. According to all that his fathers had done. As idolatry was the chief sin of his "fathers," Jehoahaz must have been an idolater. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:33

And Pharaoh-Nechoh put him in bands at Riblah. "Riblah," which retains its name, was situated in the Coele-Syrian plain, on the right bank of the Orontes, in lat. 34° 23' N. nearly. It commanded a ford over the river, and is in the midst of a rich, corn-producing country. Hamath, to which it was regarded as belonging, is situated more than fifty miles further down the river. Riblah was well placed as a center for communication with the neighboring countries. As Dr. Robinson says, "From this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 23:30

Dead - It appears from a comparison of this passage with 2 Chronicles (marginal reference) that Josiah was not actually killed in the battle.Jehoahaz - Or Shallum (the marginal note). He may have taken the name of Jehoahaz (“the Lord possesses”) on his accession. He was not the eldest son of Josiah (see 2 Kings 23:36 note). The mention of “anointing” here favors the view that there was some irregularity in the succession (see 1 Kings 1:34 note). read more

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