But a prophet of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, “Behold, because Yahweh, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven. Now you intend to degrade the children of Judah and Jerusalem as male and female slaves for yourselves. Aren’t there even with you trespasses of your own against Yahweh your God? Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives that you have taken captive from your brothers, for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you.”
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Therefore Yahweh his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. They struck him, and carried away from him a great multitude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with a great slaughter. For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah who was next to the king. The children of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters, and also took away much plunder from them, and brought the plunder to Samaria. But a prophet of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, “Behold, because Yahweh, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven. Now you intend to degrade the children of Judah and Jerusalem as male and female slaves for yourselves. Aren’t there even with you trespasses of your own against Yahweh your God? Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives that you have taken captive from your brothers, for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you.” Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war, and said to them, “You must not bring in the captives here, for you intend that which will bring on us a trespass against Yahweh, to add to our sins and to our guilt; for our guilt is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.”
Parallel Translations
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But a prophet of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, “Behold, because Yahweh, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven.
Now you intend to degrade the children of Judah and Jerusalem as male and female slaves for yourselves. Aren’t there even with you trespasses of your own against Yahweh your God?
Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives that you have taken captive from your brothers, for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you.”
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But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.
Show all 3 translations
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But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out to meet the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them: 'Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was wroth with Judah, He hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage which hath reached up unto heaven.
And now ye purpose to bring the children of Judah and Jerusalem into subjection for bondmen and bondwomen unto you; but are there not even with you acts of guilt of your own against the LORD your God?
Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that ye have taken captive of your brethren; for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.'
Cross-references (33)
- Ezra 9:6 (v9) and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our…
- Isaiah 47:6 (v9) I was angry with my people. I profaned my inheritance and gave them into your hand. You showed them no mercy. You laid a very heavy yoke on…
- Revelation 18:5 (v9) for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities.
- James 2:13 (v11) For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Leviticus 25:39-46 (v10) “ ‘If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you, you shall not make him to serve as a slave. As a hired servant, and…
Show all 33 cross-references
- Zechariah 1:15 (v9) I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, but they added to the calamity.”
- Genesis 4:10 (v9) Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.
- Genesis 11:4 (v9) They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be…
- Judges 3:8 (v9) Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children…
- 1 Kings 20:13 (v9) Behold, a prophet came near to Ahab king of Israel, and said, “Yahweh says, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver…
- 1 Kings 20:22 (v9) The prophet came near to the king of Israel, and said to him, “Go, strengthen yourself, and mark, and see what you do; for at the return of…
- 1 Kings 20:42 (v9) He said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life will…
- 2 Kings 20:14-15 (v9) Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said,…
- 2 Chronicles 19:1-2 (v9) Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said…
- 2 Chronicles 25:15-16 (v9) Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought after the gods of the…
- 2 Chronicles 28:5 (v9) Therefore Yahweh his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. They struck him, and carried away from him a great multitude of…
- 2 Chronicles 28:8 (v11) The children of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters, and also took away much…
- Ezra 10:14 (v11) Now let our princes be appointed for all the assembly, and let all those who are in our cities who have married foreign women come at…
- Psalms 69:26 (v9) For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.
- Isaiah 10:5-7 (v9) Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation! I will send him against a profane nation, and against the…
- Isaiah 58:6 (v11) “Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free,…
- Jeremiah 15:17-18 (v9) I didn’t sit in the assembly of those who make merry and rejoice. I sat alone because of your hand, for you have filled me with…
- Jeremiah 25:29 (v10) For, behold, I begin to work evil at the city which is called by my name; and should you be utterly unpunished? You will not be unpunished;…
- Jeremiah 34:14-15 (v11) At the end of seven years, every man of you shall release his brother who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you, and has served you six…
- Ezekiel 25:12-17 (v9) “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended, and taken…
- Ezekiel 26:2-3 (v9) “Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken! She who was the gateway of the peoples has been returned to me.…
- Obadiah 1:10-16 (v9) For the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be cut off forever. In the day that you stood on the other…
- Matthew 5:7 (v11) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Matthew 7:2 (v11) For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
- Matthew 7:2-4 (v10) For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see…
- Romans 12:20-21 (v10) Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his…
- Hebrews 13:1-3 (v11) Let brotherly love continue. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing…
- 1 Peter 4:17-18 (v10) For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (15 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv9–10 For they thought they had overcome them by their…
For they thought they had overcome them by their own valiantness, and did not consider that God had delivered them into their hands, because Judah had offended him.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–11 2Ch 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was…
2Ch 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name [was] Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage [that] reacheth up unto heaven.
Ver. 9. And he went before the host.] He put his life in his hand, and met them in the face. This was a bold attempt: and God, of whom it was, succeeded it. Prophets have ever been reverenced; poets were among the Greeks, as Tyrtaeus and others; the Bard; a kind of priests, were here in Albion by the greatest commanders. Zedekiah, a king, is here taxed for not humbling himself before Jeremiah, a poor prophet. {2Ch 36:12}
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And ye have slain them with a rage.] Which is the worst counsellor, as knowing neither mean nor measure.
That reacheth unto heaven.] That thing must needs be very great, one end whereof reacheth as high as heaven.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv9–10 i.e. In a most high and fierce manner. A…
i.e. In a most high and fierce manner. A usual hyperbole, withal signifying that their rage did cry aloud, and was heard to heaven, from whence it would pull down vengeance upon them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv9–11 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose…
But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded,.... Not the same that was in the time of Asa, Ch2 15:1,
and he went out before the host that came to Samaria; that was coming thither; he went out of Samaria to meet them:
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and said unto them, behold, because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand; he let them know it was not owing to their wisdom and conduct, their prowess and courage, that they had got the victory over them, but because the Lord was displeased with them for their sins, and therefore gave them up into their hands:
and ye have slain them in a rage that reaches up unto heaven; that is, with an exceeding great rage and fury, and the cry of which reached to heaven also, and was displeasing to God; he suggests to them, that they had exceeded all bounds, and had not shown that compassion to their brethren, when fallen into their hands, they ought to have done, and which therefore was resented by the God of heaven, see Zac 1:15.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv9–10 A rage - An unbounded rage, which cries to…
A rage - An unbounded rage, which cries to God for vengeance, against such bloody men.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v9 Verse 9. But a prophet of the Lord -…
Verse 9. But a prophet of the Lord - whose name was Oded] To this beautiful speech nothing can be added by the best comment; it is simple, humane, pious, and overwhelmingly convincing: no wonder it produced the effect mentioned here. That there was much of humanity in the heads of the children of Ephraim who joined with the prophet on this occasion, the fifteenth verse sufficiently proves. They did not barely dismiss these most unfortunate captives, but they took that very spoil which their victorious army had brought away; and they clothed, fed, shod, and anointed, these distressed people, set the feeblest of them upon asses, and escorted them safely to Jericho. We can scarcely find a parallel to this in the universal history of the wars which savage man has carried on against his fellows, from the foundation of the world.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv9–10 2Ch 28:9. A prophet of the Lord was there…
2Ch 28:9. A prophet of the Lord was there — By this it appears God continued his prophets among the Israelites, idolatrous as they were, that he might bring them to repentance, if they would hearken to their admonitions. This prophet meets the victorious army of Israel, not to applaud their valour or congratulate their victory; though they returned laden with spoils and triumphs; but in God’s name to tell them of their faults, and warn them of the judgments of God. And said unto them, Behold, because the Lord was wroth with Judah — He exhorts them not to be lifted up with their victory; which he assures them was not to be ascribed so much to their own valour, as to the anger of God against Judah, to chastise whom, he had used them as the rod of his indignation. And ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven — An unbounded rage, which cries to God for vengeance against such bloody men.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv9–10 Nothing more is known of this Oded. Compare 2Ch…
Nothing more is known of this Oded. Compare 2Ch 15:1.
He went out before the host - Rather, “He went out to meet the host,” as the same phrase is translated in 2Ch 15:2.
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A rage that reacheth up to heaven - i. e. not merely an exceedingly great and violent rage, but one that has displeased God.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv9–10 Heaven, and cries for vengeance against you. Though God…
Heaven, and cries for vengeance against you. Though God designed to punish his people, your cruelty will not be excused. H. --- The effect of this remonstrance, shews that all the kingdom of Israel was not devoid (C.) of feeling and religion. H. --- They set a noble example for Christian princes to follow after a victory. D.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 9. a prophet of the Lord was there] Nothing…
9. a prophet of the Lord was there] Nothing further is known of Oded, but this may have been the only occasion on which be appeared as a prophet.
he went out before] R.V. he went out to meet.
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that reacheth up] R.V. which hath reached up. Cp. Gen_4:10.
heaven] There is a tendency in some later books of the Bible to write “heaven” for “God”; cp. 2Ch_32:20, “prayed and cried to heaven.” From a similar feeling of reverence the Chronicler is sparing in his use of the name “Jehovah”; cp. 2Ch_17:4 (note).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 THE PROPHET ODED PROTESTS AGAINST RETENTION OF THE JEWISH…
THE PROPHET ODED PROTESTS AGAINST RETENTION OF THE JEWISH CAPTIVES, AND THEY ARE SENT HOME (2Ch_28:9-15).
(9) But a prophet of the Lord.—This whole section is peculiar to the chronicler. The author has told the story in his own way; and perhaps the words of the prophet and the chiefs are mainly his. But there is no ground for doubting the general truth of the narrative.
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Was there.—In Samaria. It is remarkable that neither here nor in the parallel narrative is any mention made of the great prophet Hosea ben Beeri, who must have been active at this epoch in the northern kingdom. Of Oded nothing further is known. He was a “prophet of Jehovah,” not of the Baals.
He went out before.—To meet the hosts, like Azariah ben Oded (2Ch_15:2).
That came.—Was coming in.
Because the Lord . . . was wroth.—Literally, in the wrath of Jehovah . . . against Judah he gave them into your hand. Your victory was due to the punitive wrath of Jehovah, not to your own valour or intrinsic superiority. You ought to have considered this, and shown compassion to the victims of divine displeasure; but you have, on the contrary, given full rein to the savage dictates of furious hatred.
Slain them.—Slain among them.
In a rage.—2Ch_26:19 (za’af).
That reacheth up unto heaven.—Gen_28:12; Isa_8:8. Literally, which even to the heavens did reach; i.e., a guilty excess of rage, calling to heaven for vengeance, like the blood of Abel (Gen_4:10), or the wickedness of Sodom (Gen_18:21). (Comp. also Ezr_9:6.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv9–11 The very interesting contents of this and the following…
The very interesting contents of this and the following six verses are not found in the parallel. A prophet of the Lord Oded. We do not know any particulars of this prophet; for his name and its possible identity with the name Iddo, see notes on 2Ch_9:29 2Ch_15:1, 2Ch_15:8. The growingly frequent references to the interposition of the prophets is much to be noticed, and their dignity, courage, fidelity, are brought into grand relief. They are very typical of the moral presence of which no national history, a.s centuries solemnly flow on, gives the slightest symptom of a slackening need. The very same may be said alike of the truth and those qualified and commissioned to bear it, of the message and the messenger. Before the host; i.e. in very face of the host, somewhat too mildly rendered "to meet" the host, in 2Ch_15:2, etc. In a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. To the wonderful life of this figure, that must strike every reader, must be added the force that comes of its moral rather than merely material suggestion a moral suggestion that reminds us of that of the sentence of far greater antiquity, and from the sacred lip of the Inspirer of all prophets, "The voice of thy brother"s blood crieth unto me from the ground." The rage had not been that on which the sun did not go down; it had been so fierce that upon it the sun ought never to hare been required to look. See for interesting particulars and then more general references, Jer_51:9; Ezr_9:6; Psa_38:4; Gen_18:21 Gen_28:12; Job_20:6. The expression of the text, however, "reacheth," or "toucheth," cannot be understood to reproduce as a perfect equivalent the older above-quoted one of "crieth." In other words, the magnitude of the rage is the first thing set forth, and the particular language in which it is set forth well postulates the inference of its abominableness in God"s sight.
Vers. 9-15.
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Divine and human pity.
A very striking and a most unusual incident is here related; it has very few parallels in the page of ancient history. The hand that struck down the enemy very rarely failed to strike him when he was down. Here we have a refreshing picture of human relenting; of men who had just presented the cup of woe putting to the lips of the suffering a cup of mercy. But first we have a picture of
I DIVINE PITY IN THE MIDST OF DIVINE PENALTY. It is clear that the people of Judah owed their defeat entirely to the fact that they had grievously sinned against the Lord (see ver. 9). But there was a point beyond which justice did not demand that penalty should go. And at that point Divine pity might appear. There it did appear, and it arrested the hand of the cruel smiter. God sends judgment, but in wrath he "remembers mercy". (Hab_3:2) He sends the serious sickness which brings pain and weakness, but at a certain point he sends the remedy and restoration. He brings down upon the guilty the strong indignation of their kind, but he raises up the compassionate and the considerate who visit the prisoner or the lonely with words of friendly sympathy and cheer. He brings the strong but rebellious kingdom to defeat and humiliation, but he causes it to grow up again to competence and power. He bruises, but he does not shatter; he lays low, but he raises up.
II OFFICIAL FAITHFULNESS. Oded had a difficult and dangerous part to play on this occasion, but he bore himself right nobly (vers. 9-11). He did not flinch from words of energetic condemnation (vers. 9, 10), or from words of unpalatable advice (ver. 11). If God puts us into any responsible position, whether in the family, or in the Church, or in the city, or in the councils of the nation, we are most sacredly bound to play our part courageously. No man is fitted to occupy a post of trust and honour unless he is prepared, at times, to say and do that which is likely to be resented. Though we may not be called upon to face a triumphant army with words of remonstrance and command, as Oded did now, yet we are sure to be under obligation to say that which is unacceptable and to confront the dislike and disapproval of men. If we are not prepared to do that, we had better stand down at once, and take a lower place. Certainly we are not qualified to speak for God.
III HUMAN INFLUENCE. We have two instances of human influence being exercised with remarkable success. The outspoken prophet persuades the princes, and they in their turn persuade the soldiers to release the captives and to abandon the spoil which they had taken. This was a truly remarkable success. To induce men who are flushed with victory to forego the advantages they have won with the sword is to accomplish a great feat. It shows what man can do with man; what influence a strong voice can exert upon the human heart.
1. It is always well worth while to interpose between men and the wrongthey are meditating; we may save them from great guilt and others from great suffering.
2. We must be in downright earnest, and speak with entire fearlessness andfrankness, as both prophet and princes did now, or we shall not succeed. We must speak as those who are perfectly convinced, as those who know what is right, and have no hesitation at all as to the course which should be taken.
IV HUMAN PITY. Instead of slaughtering their prisoners, which in that age might have been done without pity or remorse, we have these soldiers of Israel showing all possible kindness to them (ver. 15). It is a common thing now for men to show a magnanimous kindness to their fallen enemy even on the battle-field. But the teaching of the Lord of love has done its work to some considerable extent, and has mercifully modified the cruelties of war. The scene of the text was something of an anticipation of the injunction, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink." It is for us to illustrate the spirit then shown, on every opportunity. We should spare those who are in our power; it may be in the domain of business; it may be in the social circle; it may be round the domestic table; it may be in something so simple as a debate, so common as an ordinary argument. But wherever or whatever it be, to spare our opponent when he is down, to save him from the miseries Of defeat, to put him in the way of return to self-respect and honour, to "take back our captives to Jericho," is to do no more than these Israelites did on this particular occasion; it is to do no less than our Master requires of us at all times and under every circumstance. C. (Mat_5:43-48)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv9–10 A prophet of the Lord was there, whose name…
2Ch_28:9
A prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded.
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The story of the prophet Oded
Probably few will recognise this name. It is associated with no book of perpetual instruction, with no course of heroic action. No mighty deeds like those of Elijah or Elisha adorn his story; no length of stately service like that of Daniel is rendered by him. He is a man of one achievement; his prophecy only an argument to brotherly kindness and affection, and yet few men have ever rendered a nobler service to their fellow men than that recorded of him. It exhibits the possibility of finest usefulness as lying more near and within our reach than we had thought. The circumstances are soon told. Already the shadow of the great Assyrian monarchy had fallen on more western lands, and Damascus, Israel, Judah were threatened by it. Their policy would have been union for mutual defence; national contrition and development of those virtues which would have engaged the approval of God. Unfortunately, instead of uniting with each other, Damascus, Samaria, Jerusalem alike forget the impending danger which ultimately overtakes them; and, as if there was no foe to be feared, by their conflicts with each other destroy their power of saving themselves. One campaign had just ended. Israel and Damascus had united, and between them had inflicted a crushing blow on Judah. A hundred and twenty thousand slain is the enormous register of Judahs loss, and in addition Israel has taken captive of women and children two hundred thousand more. With the bitterness that belongs to a feud between kinsmen, no compunction enfeebles the elation of their victory. It has not entered any mind that any other course should be pursued but simply to use or sell the captives as slaves. They will indulge their lust, they will increase their wealth. With such purposes they bring all their spoil and all their captives to Samaria. When as they are about to enter in unbrotherly triumph, a prophet of the Lord went out to them; of no great importance, as men generally would have judged; single-handed, with none to back him. He goes forth, and addressing not the chiefs alone with whispers of policy, but the host great and small, calls on them to forego their pleasure and their wealth, and as brethren to abstain from reducing to slavery their brethren whom the fortune of war had put into their power. His argument is striking. There is no mention of Assyria, as there might have been, and of the importance of a united front; no flattery or appeal to desire for generous fame. Solemnly he points out that Judahs defeat is the penalty of Judahs sin. That in the slaughter of such multitudes as they put to death they have already committed crimes enough. That to enslave their brethren would be to provoke the anger of their Father God still more, and therefore they should liberate those whom they intended to enslave. The single voice avails. Alone in making the suggestion, he is not long left alone. Certain heads of the children of Ephraim stand up stoutly against the more violent that oppose the prophets word. Ye shall not bring in the captives hither, they say, with the courage of their nobler mood. When lo! with that openness to generous and noble appeals that sometimes marks a multitude, the whole host suddenly catch the glow of nobler feeling, and at once the resolve to set the captives free is framed and put in execution. The treasure of the spoil is taken to relieve their wants. An incident of a kind too rare, but one which yet indicates to us how much of noble service might be rendered if all did their part towards making the world a little brighter and better than it is.
I. The responsibility of leaders. A prophet worthy of his calling, and the chief men of Israel having the courage of their position, together sway the whole people with a generous impulse. No greater mercy comes from the Father of lights than leaders whose worth adorns their eminence. The tendencies to good and evil hang on so fine a balance, that let the leaders appeal to the nobler part, and it will respond. Let them appeal to the baser, and it will respond, unchecked by any scruple. If you are in any position of leadership in Church, or world, or lowly home, minister or layman, remember grand things are possible if you are faithful. Do not fall into sin of rulers, assuming a waywardness in the people which you thenceforth do nothing to control. Give those around you a clear keynote of noble duty or generous wisdom, and you will always find some to back you, and sometimes sufficient backing to achieve a grand success. An heroic leader in war will infuse his courage into feeblest followers. A generous leader in peace may win victories no less noble. Let leaders study Oded, till they learn, like him, to forego all flattery and all care for popular acceptance, and find the stately courage which can urge the worthy course upon their fellow men.
II. The importance of individual action. How utterly hopeless must it have seemed to dream of turning the people from their purpose. Their blood was heated with their triumph, their passions all inflamed, their self-interest involved. What could one man do to stem such forces? But let him stand alone, or find plentiful support; let his testimony be resented with contempt or accepted with humility, Oded feels his business is to utter what seems to him to be the will of God. And uttering it, lo, he is not long alone. His generosity infects others. Try to count up the service then rendered. Two hundred thousand captives set free, and their dismal fears changed into restful gratitude. His nation saved from the guilt of a great crime. His people ennobled by a generous deed. One man did this, or rather was the occasion of its being done. One man set the bail a-rolling. Learn hence that there is no limit to what, God inspiring and using him, one man may do. Athanasius, Augustine, Luther, Knox, Wesley, their lives are but variations of this story. The conviction of the one to-day becomes that of the many to-morrow.
III. The importance of presence of heart. So many, when the occasion of rendering great service rises, finding themselves with confused feelings, with heart unequal to the demand made on it. There were other saints in Samaria, doubtless, grieved over this civil war, and shrinking equally with him from idea of their brethren being made their slaves. But Oded was not confused, perplexed, overawed by concurrence of a vast multitude in a great wrong. Nor did he need a week to think what it would be best to do or say. There and then, in all calmness and self-possession, he saw what it was best to do and say, and he did and said it. That calmness comes not because the nerve is cool; it has a higher origin. It comes from walking with God and talking with Him; the sight of His throne, the knowledge of His providence; the habit of asking instructions and waiting for them, and acting when they come. (Richard Glover.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v9 This is the name of a man. (See: How…
Oded
This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)
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he gave them into your hand
Here the word "hand" represents power. God enabling the army of Israel to defeat the army of Judah is spoken of as if God had put the army of Judah in the hand of the army of Israel. AT: "God enabled you to defeat them" (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)
you have slaughtered them in a rage that reached up to heaven
Oded speaks of Yahweh knowing how severely the army of Israel slaughtered the army of Judah as if the rage with which the army of Israel slaughtered them were an object so large that it reached into heaven. That Yahweh knows what they have done implies that he will respond. AT: "you have slaughtered them in such great rage that Yahweh himself has noticed and will take vengeance" (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
But are you not guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God?
Oded asks this rhetorical question to rebuke the army of Israel and to emphasize the positive answer that the question anticipates. AT: "But you yourselves are guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God." (See: Rhetorical Question)
Yahweh's fierce wrath is on you
Oded speaks of Yahweh being extremely angry with the Israelite army as if Yahweh's wrath were an object that were upon them. AT: "Yahweh is extremely angry with you" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
prophet
anger
heaven
servant
guilt
sin
brother
wrath
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv9, 11 28:9-10 you have gone too far: Although the Lord…
28:9-10 you have gone too far: Although the Lord was using Israel as a means of punishment toward Judah, the covenant prohibited the enslavement and murder of fellow Israelites (28:10; Lev 25:39-55).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.