2 Kings 14:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 14:1-7

Amaziah, the son and successor of Joash, is the king whom here we have an account of. Let us take a view of him, I. In the temple; and there he acted, in some measure, well, like Joash, but not like David, 2 Kgs. 14:3. He began well, but did not persevere: He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, kept up his attendance on God's altars and his attention to God's word, yet not like David. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the usage, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 14:6

But the children of the murderers he slew not ,.... Which is an instance of his clemency and goodness, and of his strict regard to justice, and to the law of God; though he might fear, these, being spared, would one time or other revenge their fathers' deaths: according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses , see Deuteronomy 24:16 , wherein the Lord commanded, saying, the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children , &c.; to which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 14:6

But the children of the murderers he slew not - Here he showed his conscientious regard for the law of Moses; for God had positively said, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin, Deuteronomy 24:16 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:1-7

Amaziah doing right. The murder of Joash King of Judah, and the accession of his son Amaziah, took place a little after the accession of Joash the son of Jehoahaz in Israel, therefore just before the turn of the tide in the fortunes of the latter kingdom. I. EARLY RIGHT - DOING . 1. A promising beginning . Amaziah was not, any more than his father, a man of strong character. He proved to be vain, boastful, and foolish But he began well, giving heed to the counsels of God's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:1-20

THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH OVER JUDAH . This chapter takes up the history of the kingdom of Judah from the each of 2 Kings 12:1-21 ; with which it is closely connected. The writer, after a few such general remarks as those with which he commonly opens the history of each reign ( 2 Kings 12:1-4 ), proceeds to relate read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:1-29

REIGNS OF AMAZIAH , SON OF JOASH KING OF JUDAH , OVER JUDAH , AND OF JEROBOAM , SON OF JOASH KING OF ISRAEL , OVER ISRAEL . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:1-29

Significant facts in God's government. "In the second year of Joash," etc. In this chapter we have a sketch of a succession of kings both of Judah and Israel. Here are two kings of Judah—Amaziah and Azariah; and Joash, Jeroboam, and his son Zachariah, kings of Israel. The whole chapter suggests certain significant facts in God's government of mankind. I. THE ENORMOUS FREEDOM OF ACTION WHICH HE ALLOWS WICKED MEN . Here we learn: 1. That God allows wicked men to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:5-6

A father's sins not to be visited by the civil magistrate on his children. Human legislators have differed greatly in their judgments upon this point. In the East, and in early times, the idea was generally accepted that the guilt of the father attached to all his descendants, and was justly visited on them. "Lege cantum erat," says Q. Curtius ('Vit. Alex.,' 2 Kings 6:11 ), "ut propinqui eorum, qui regi insidiati essent, cum ipsis necarentur.' The family was regarded as the unit of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:5-6

Personal responsibility. Amaziah visits with just execution the servants who had conspired against his father Joash. But he did not put to death the children of the murderers. He acted on the principle laid down by God through Moses ( Deuteronomy 24:16 ), that "the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children for the fathers; every man shall be put to death for his own sin." I. EVERY ONE OF US IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN LIFE . "For we must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 14:6

But the children of the murderers he slew not. It was the ordinary usage in the East for the sons of traitors to share the fate of their fathers. A Greek poet went so far as to say that a man was a fool who put to death the father, and allowed the son to live. The practice had a double ground. Sons, it might be assumed, would be cognizant of their father's intention, and would so be accessories before the fact. And the law of claim , or "blood-feud," would make it dangerous to spare... read more

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