2 Chronicles 14:15 - Exposition

The tents of cattle . This word "tents" ( אָהֲלֵי , construct state ) is used just 325 times, and this is the only time it is spoken of as the place of cattle; there are, however, four passages looking the same way ( Genesis 13:5 ; 6:5 ; 2 Kings 7:7 ; Jeremiah 49:29 ). It is the word used for the tabernacle of the wilderness many times, and many times for the place of abode that has highest associations ( Psalms 15:1 ; Psalms 118:15 ), and of the usual abodes of people ( 2 Chronicles 10:16 ). The use of the word here, though unique, will occasion no surprise, considering the camping of the vast invading army. Camels in abundance . The mention of this spoil reminds us both where we are, on desert border ( 1 Samuel 27:7-10 ; 1 Samuel 30:16 , 1 Samuel 30:17 ), and what was the personality or nationality within some latitude of choice of the invaders. Returned to Jerusalem . The expression awakens inevitably, though inaptly, a reminiscence of Scripture language in strangest contrast—the climax in a description also, but of a victory infinitely vaster and grander and for ever ( Luke 24:52 ; Acts 1:12 ). This return of "Asa and the people that were with him" to Jerusalem dated the commencement of a period of comparative internal peace and reform for the kingdom of Judah, that lasted twenty-one years, and yet more of exemption from Egyptian attack, that lasted about three hundred and thirty years. It was a doubtful benefit, but Judah and Egypt came to be found in alliance against Assyria ( 2 Kings 17:3-6 ; 2 Kings 18:20 , 2 Kings 18:21 , 2 Kings 18:24 ; Isaiah 30:2 ; Hosea 7:11 ). The 'Speaker's Commentary' points out the interesting fact that this was one of the only two occasions known of the Jews meeting in open field either Egypt or Assyria (the other occasion being the unfortunate one of Josiah against Necho, 2 Chronicles 35:1-27 :30), and adds, "Shishak, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, and Ptolemy I were either unopposed or only opposed from behind wails."