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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:1-13

Here is, I. The general character of Amaziah: He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, worshipped the true God, kept the temple service a going, and countenanced religion in his kingdom; but he did not do it with a perfect heart (2 Chron. 25:2), that is, he was not a man of serious piety or devotion himself, nor had he any zeal for the exercises of religion. He was no enemy to it, but a cool and indifferent friend. Such is the character of too many in this Laodicean age: they do... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:5

Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together ,.... The inhabitants thereof: and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin ; he divided the people, according to their families throughout his kingdom, into thousands and hundreds, and out of their respective families appointed captains over them: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above ; the usual age men were numbered at for war,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:6

He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel ,.... The ten tribes, judging his own army not sufficient for his expedition against the Edomites he was meditating: for one hundred talents of silver ; which amounted to 35,300 pounds sterling, and according to Beckius F5 Not. in Targum in loc. were about five florins and a half to each soldier. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:7

But there came a man of God to him ,.... Who the Jews say F6 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 20. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 11. 2. was the brother of the king, Amos, the father of Isaiah, but without foundation: saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee ; to war against Edom; meaning the 100,000 men he had hired, and suggesting that to have them with him would not be to his advantage, but his detriment, for the following reason: for the Lord is not with Israel , to wit: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:8

But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle ,.... An ironical expression; if thou wilt not be advised, take them with thee, and try what thou canst do; exert all thy courage, and use thy military skill, and mark the issue: God shall make thee fall before the enemy ; notwithstanding the number of thy troops, and those of thy auxiliaries; though some take them to be spoken seriously, and read the words, "but go thou"; that is, alone, without the hired troops, and fight boldly and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:9

And Amaziah said to the man of God, but what shall we do for the one hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel ?.... They will be lost, there is no demanding them back again; this he spake with some concern, as loath to lose so much money: and the man of God answered, the Lord is able to give thee much more than this ; whose is the earth, and the fulness thereof, the gold and silver, and all the riches of it; and therefore he had no need to trouble himself about the loss... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:10

Then Amaziah separated them ,.... From his army, among whom they were incorporated and ranked, to wit: the army that was come to him out of Ephraim ; which he had hired of the ten tribes, these he singled out: to go home again ; to their own country: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger ; it being a great slight put upon them, and a reproach to them, to be thus dismissed, as they thought; and especially if they understood... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people ,.... To go to war with the Edomites; not discouraged by the dismission of the hired troops, but trusting in the promise and power of God, he went forth with boldness and intrepidity: and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir, ten thousand ; the Edomites; so called, not because they were the posterity of Seir, but because they dwelt in Seir, from whence they drove the descendants of Seir, and dwelt in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:12

And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive ,.... The rest of the army of the Edomites, which amounted to the same number, fell into their hands, and they took them, and carried them off: and brought them unto the top of the rock ; very probably the same on which the city Petra, the metropolis of Edom, was built, called also Selah, 2 Kings 14:7 both which names signify a rock. Josephus F7 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 9. sect. 1. calls it the great rock in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 25:5

Gathered Judah together - He purposed to avenge himself of the Syrians, but wished to know his military strength before he came to a rupture. read more

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