2 Chronicles 17:11 - Exposition

The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute, the "fixed rate" of which is sometimes alluded to ( 1 Kings 4:21 ; 1 Kings 10:25 ; 2 Samuel 8:2 ), but it is doubtful whether the word מַשָּׁא purports to say this. The word means "bearing" or "carrying," and then "a burden, load, or weight." The expression ( 2 Chronicles 20:25 ), "more than they could carry away," where this word is used, favours the idea that the meaning here is "silver of great weight." Probably the moral significance and historical interest, whether of this statement respecting the Philistines , or the following respecting the Arabians, lies in the fact that both of them brought, without more ado, their payments, and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judah's king. Note, for confirmation of this view, 2 Kings 3:4 , 2 Kings 3:5 .