Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
Parallel Translations
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Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
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Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
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(12-18) Then Hazael king of Aram went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
Cross-references (10)
Passages linked to 2 Kings 12:17 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 At the end of the year, the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus. For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash.
- 1 Samuel 27:2 David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
- 1 Kings 2:39-40 At the end of three years, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. They told Shimei, saying, “Behold, your slaves are in Gath.” Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Gath to Achish, to seek his slaves; and Shimei went, and brought his slaves from Gath.
- 1 Kings 19:17 He who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
- 2 Kings 8:12-15 Hazael said, “Why do you weep, my lord?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, and you will kill their young men with the sword, and will dash their little ones in pieces, and rip up their pregnant women.” Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he could do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Syria.” Then he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” He answered, “He told me that you would surely recover.” On the next day, he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.
- 1 Chronicles 8:13 and Beriah, and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath;
- 1 Chronicles 18:1 After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
- Jeremiah 42:15 now therefore hear Yahweh’s word, O remnant of Judah: Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘If you indeed set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to live there;
- Luke 9:51 It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem
- Luke 9:53 They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set toward Jerusalem.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 2Ki 12:17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up,…
2Ki 12:17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
Ver. 17. Then Hazael king of Syria went up.] "Then," when Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash revolted. {2Ch 24:23}
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And Hazael set his face.] He resolved that he would take Jerusalem likewise, and doubted not but he should. So when the Turks had taken Adrianople, they soon after took Constantinople, the seat of the eastern emperor.
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 Then, i.e. in this king’s days, when Jehoiada was…
Then, i.e. in this king’s days, when Jehoiada was dead, and Joash revolted from God; of which see 2Ch 24:17 &c. Gath; once a city of the Philistines, but taken by David, 1Ch 18:1, and now a part of the kingdom of Judah.
Set his face, i.e. directed his march, and led his forces. Or, undertook in good earnest. So the same phrase is used 2Ch 20:3; Jer 21:10; Eze 35:2.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain When Joash had revolted from God and become both…
When Joash had revolted from God and become both an idolater and a persecutor the hand of the Lord went out against him, and his last state was worse than his first.
I. His wealth and honour became an easy prey to his neighbours. Hazael, when he had chastised Israel (Kg2 10:32), threatened Judah and Jerusalem likewise, took Gath, a strong city (Kg2 12:17), and thence intended to march with his forces against Jerusalem, the royal city, the holy city, but whose defence, on account of its sinfulness, had departed. Joash had neither spirit nor strength to make head against him, but gave him all the hallowed things, and all the gold that was found both in his exchequer and in the treasures of the temple (Kg2 12:18), to bribe him to march another way. If it were lawful to do this for the public safety, better part with the gold of the temple than expose the temple itself; yet, 1. If he had not forsaken God, and forfeited his protection, his affairs would not have been brought to this extremity, but he might have forced Hazael to retire. 2. He diminished himself, and made himself very mean, lost the honour of a prince and a soldier, and of an Israelite too, in alienating the dedicated things. 3. He impoverished himself and his kingdom. And, 4. He tempted Hazael to come again, when he could carry home so rich a booty without striking a stroke. And it had this effect, for the next year the host of Syria came up against Jerusalem, destroyed the prince, and plundered the city, Ch2 24:23, Ch2 24:24.
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II. His life became an easy prey to his own servants. They conspired against him and slew him (Kg2 12:20, Kg2 12:21), not aiming at his kingdom, for they opposed not his son's succeeding him, but to be avenged on him for some crime he had committed; and we are told in Chronicles that his murdering the prophet, Jehoiada's son, was the provocation. In this, how unrighteous soever they were (vengeance was not theirs, nor did it belong to them to repay), God was righteous; and this was not the only time that he let even kings know that it was at their peril if they touched his anointed and did his prophets any harm, and that, when he comes to make inquisition for blood, the blood of prophets will run the account very high. Thus fell Joash, who began in the spirit and ended in the flesh. God usually sets marks of his displeasure upon apostates, even in this life; for they, of all sinners, do most reproach the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain For Jozachar the son of Shimeath,.... Said to be…
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath,.... Said to be an Ammonitess, and this man's name Zabad, Ch2 24:26,
and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants; who is said in the same place to be the son of Shimrith a Moabitess:
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these smote him, and he died; justly did he fall by the hands of such persons for his idolatry:
and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David; but not in the sepulchres of the kings, because of his idolatry and murder of a priest of the Lord:
and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead; the conspirators not seeking the kingdom, but vengeance on him for his sins, which, whether right in them to do, was suffered by the Lord.
Next: 2 Kings Chapter 13
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 17. Hazael - fought against Gath, and took…
Verse 17. Hazael - fought against Gath, and took it] This city, with its satrapy or lordship, had been taken from the Philistines by David, (see 2Sa 8:1, and 1Ch 18:1); and it had continued in the possession of the kings of Judah till this time. On what pretence Hazael seized it, we cannot tell; he had the ultima ratio regum, power to do it, and he wanted more territory.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 2Ki 12:17-18. Then Hazael went up — That is,…
2Ki 12:17-18. Then Hazael went up — That is, in this king’s days, when, Jehoiada being dead, Jehoash revolted from God; of which see 2Ch 24:17. And fought against Gath — Once a city of the Philistines, but taken by David, (1Ch 18:1,) and now a part of the kingdom of Judah. And Hazael set his face to go to Jerusalem — Directed his march toward that city: or, undertook to march thither in good earnest. Jehoash took all the hallowed things, &c. — The preservation of his kingdom, he thought, warranted his doing this; but he brought these dangers upon himself by his apostacy from God.
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 There was probably a considerable interval between the conclusion…
There was probably a considerable interval between the conclusion of the arrangement for the repairs and the Syrian expedition related in these verses. For the events which had happened, see 2Ch 24:15-22.
2Ki 12:17
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This is the first and last time that we hear of the Damascene Syrians undertaking so distant an expedition. Gath (see Jos 13:3 note) could only be reached from Syria through Israel or Judah. It was not more than 25 or 30 miles from Jerusalem. It is uncertain whether the city belonged at this time to Judah or to the Philistines.
Hazael set his face ... - This is a phrase for determination generally, but especially for determination to proceed somewhere (compare Jer 42:15; Luk 9:51). Jerusalem can scarcely have been the primary object of this expedition, or it would have been attacked by a less circuitous route. Perhaps the Syrians were induced to make a sudden march against the Jewish capital, by learning, while at Gath, that a revolution had occurred there (compare 2Ch 24:18-23).
2Ki 12:18
Jehoash did not submit without a struggle. See the details in Chronicles. It was not until his army was defeated that he followed the example of his ancestor, Asa, and bought the friendship of the Syrians with the temple treasures (1Ki 15:18. Compare the conduct of Hezekiah, 2Ki 18:15-16).
Jehoram and Ahaziah - Though these two monarchs had been worshippers of Baal, yet they had combined with that idolatrous cult a certain amount of decent respect for the old religion. It is evident from this passage that they had made costly offerings to the temple.
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 Then. After the death of Joiada, the king gave…
Then. After the death of Joiada, the king gave way to the greatest excesses of idolatry, and even murdered the son of his greatest benefactor. Hereupon the justice of God fell heavy upon him; Geth was taken, Jerusalem only saved by giving up all the sacred treasures, &c.: yea, the very next year, Hazael returned, routed the forces of Juda, and wounded the king, who on his return to the palace was murdered by conspirators, (Calmet) to revenge the death of Zacharias, 2 Paralipomenon xxiv. 25. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] ix. 8.)
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).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Then Hazael . . . fought against Gath--(See on…
Then Hazael . . . fought against Gath--(See on Ch2 24:23).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 17. Hazael — On this man’s elevation to the…
17. Hazael — On this man’s elevation to the throne of Syria, see 2Ki_8:7-15. On his victories over Israel and the eastern tribes, see 2Ki_10:32-33.
Fought against Gath — Having the northern kingdom in subjection, he could easily march his army through its territory and down the western border of Judah to Gath. On the position of Gath, see 1Sa_5:8, note.
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Set his face to go up to Jerusalem — Chronicles adds to this, that he did send a company to Jerusalem, and defeated a great host of Israelites, destroyed their princes, and carried off great spoil. The two accounts are brief, and not designed to record all the facts in the case, but they are by no means necessarily contradictory. See 2Ch_24:23.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 17–21. Hazael threatens to attack Jerusalem, but is bought…
17–21. Hazael threatens to attack Jerusalem, but is bought off by Jehoash. A conspiracy is formed against Jehoash, and he is murdered (2Ch_24:23-27)
17. Hazael] See chap. 2Ki_8:8.
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fought against Gath] Gath was one of the five great cities of the Philistines, though it is not clear whether at this time it was in the hands of Judah or of the Philistines. It lay almost directly west between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean. Before he came to Gath, Hazael must have made his way through the northern kingdom of Israel.
Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem] It is needful to mention here those events in the history of Judah which the Chronicler records before the story of the Syrian invasion, but which are not noticed in 2 Kings. Jehoiada the high priest died at the age of 130, and was buried with great honour among the kings of Judah. After that Jehoash, following the persuasions of the princes of Judah, fell away into idolatry, and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. God sent them prophets but they gave no ear. Among others Zechariah the son of Jehoiada rebuked both king and people for their transgressions, and at the king’s commandment the people stoned him to death in the court of the house of the Lord. So Jehoash slew the son of his benefactor, and Zechariah when dying appealed to God against his countrymen and their king, saying, ‘The Lord look upon it and require it’. The Syrian expedition is evidently regarded by the Chronicler as a visitation from God for these sins of the land. But he gives us also some details which are required for the understanding of 2 Kings. It seems strange when we read here that Jehoash made the large sacrifices described in the next verse because Hazael had merely set his face (i.e. formed the design) to go up to Jerusalem. But when this is supplemented by the statement (2Ch_24:23-24) that the host of Syria had come to Judah and Jerusalem, and had destroyed all the princes of the people, and had sent the spoil to the king of Damascus (i.e. Hazael), and also that a very great host of Judah had been conquered by a small company of Syrians, we are at no loss to understand the sacrifices which Jehoash made to buy off so formidable an enemy.
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 (17) Then.—At that time, viz., after the events just…
(17) Then.—At that time, viz., after the events just related. Hazaes invasion of the south followed upon his successes against Jehoahaz, who became king of the northern kingdom in the very year when Jehoash took in hand the restoration of the Temple. (Comp. 2Ki_12:6 with 2Ki_13:1; 2Ki_13:3.) It appears from 2Ch_24:23 that the high priest Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash had already swerved from his counsels.
Fought against Gath.—Which, therefore, at the time either belonged to, or was in league with, Judah. Rehoboam had included this town in his system of national defences (2Ch_11:8); and it was perhaps at this time the only important outpost of the capital on the western side. Ewald assumes that the petty Philistine states had invited the intervention of Hazael between themselves and their suzerain, the king of Judah. Gaza, Ashdod, Ascalon, and Ekron, but not Gath, appear as Philistine kingdoms in the annals of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon, a century later. This agrees with what is stated in 2Ch_26:6 as to Uzziah having destroyed the walls of Gath. (Comp. Amo_6:2.)
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Set his face.—Comp. Luk_9:51.
To go up to.—Or, against.
(17-21) Conclusion of the epitome of the reign, broken off at 2Ki_12:4.
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 Vers. 17, 18. The war of Joash with Hazael.…
Vers. 17, 18. The war of Joash with Hazael. A considerable gap occurs between vers. 16 and 17. We learn from Chronicles some particulars of the interval. Not long after the completion of the repairs, Jehoiada, who had lived to a good old age in complete harmony with the monarch, expired. His piety, and his good services, as preserver of the house of David, as restorer of the temple-worship, and joint-repairer with Joash of the temple itself, were regarded as entitling him to extraordinary funeral honors; and by general consent he was interred within the city of Jerusalem, in the sepulchers of the kings. (2Ch_24:16) His removal led to a fresh religious revolution. "The Jewish aristocracy, who perhaps had never been free from the licentious and idolatrous taint introduced by Rehoboam and confirmed by Athaliah, and who may well have been galled by the new rise of the priestly order, presented themselves before Joash, and offered him the same obsequious homage that bad been paid by the young nobles to Rehoboam. He... feeling himself released from personal obligations by the death of his adopted father, threw himself into their hands. Athaliah was avenged almost upon the spot where she had been first seized by her enemies" (Stanley, "Jewish Church," vol. 2. p. 345). Joash began by allowing the reintroduction of idolatry and grove-worship, (2Ch_24:18) and then, when remonstrated with by Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who had succeeded his father in the office of high priest, had the remonstrant set upon by the people and slain. The writer of Chronicles closely connects this murderous deed with the Syrian war, which followed it within a year, (2Ch_24:23) and was generally regarded as a Divine judgment.
Then Hazael King of Syria went up, and fought against Gath. Hitherto Judah had been safe from any attack on the part of Syria, since Israel had been interposed between the two powers. Now, however, that Hazael had conquered from Jehu the entire trans-Jordanic territory, (2Ki_10:33) the case was wholly altered Judah and Syria had become conterminous along the line of the lower Jordan, and Syria could invade Judaea at any moment. It is surprising that Gath should have been the special object of attack, since Oath (Abu-Gheith) lay remote from the Syrian frontier, in the southwestern part of Judaea, and could only be reached from Syria by an enemy who was not afraid of leaving Jerusalem behind him. Gath, when last mentioned, was a Judaean city, and was fortified by Rehoboam; (2Ch_11:8) but it was originally Philistine, (1Sa_5:1-7) and the Philistines had recovered it before the time of Uzziah. (2Ch_26:6) To which power it belonged when Hazael made war upon it is uncertain. And took it probably took it by storm, and plundered it, but did not attempt an occupation and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. If Gath be Abu-Gheith, as appears probable, it would be distant from Jerusalem not less than forty miles in a direct line. If Hazael, however, was returning to the trans-Jordanic country taken from Israel, it would lie in his way, and might naturally tempt him to make a dash at it, more especially as he was flushed with victory.
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Vers. 17-21. The last days of Joash. He began well, but ended badly.
The close of the reign of Joash is a melancholy contrast to its beginning. In a most remarkable way preserved, by the providence of God and the kindness of a God-fearing woman, from the massacre of his brothers; then kept safe in the house of the Lord for six years of his helpless childhood; one would think he would never have forgotten how much he owed to the watchful care and goodness of God. He had been surrounded with good influences. Jehoiada had watched over him like a father. When he came to the throne, Jehoiada had caused him to enter into a covenant with God. He began his reign with a great religious reformation. He ended it with a shameful forsaking of God. There were three causes of his fall.
1. He retained the high places. His reformation was not complete. The germs of future evil were there. How careful we should be of the beginnings of evil! It seemed a small matter to retain the high places. But that small act of negligence or want of courage prepared the way for national idolatry, and for the ultimate downfall of Joash. It accustomed the people to heathen modes of worship. (cf. infra, on 2Ki_14:1-4)
2. He listened to evil counselors. It was an evil day for Joash when Jehoiada passed away. "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass". (2Ch_24:17, 2Ch_24:18) Ah! how true it is that "evil communications corrupt good manners"!
3. He disregarded the warnings of God. The Lord "sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord... but they would not give ear". (2Ch_24:19) Zechariah the son of Jehoiada came with a special warning. But here again we see the hardening effect of sin. Not only did Joash pay no attention to his warnings, but with the basest ingratitude, forgetful of all he owed to Jehoiada, Zechariah"s father, he put Zechariah to death. The messenger of God may suffer for his faithfulness in rebuking sin, as John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, but no royal power can stay the judgments of God. Joash, who had slain God"s prophet, was himself slain by his own servants. The nation had forsaken God, and God forsook them in their time of need. Such a career as that of Joash shows the necessity for constant watchfulness against sin. Many, like him, begin well, but end badly. They make a fair profession at first, but by-and-by, when troubles or persecutions arise, they are offended. They go back and walk no more with Christ. Or they become worldly minded, and, being engrossed in the present, forget the concerns of eternity. Many might utter the melancholy cry, "Our lamps are gone out." To every one of us the message may well be sent, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. C.H.I.
Vers. 17-21. Dark days for Judah.
The reign of Joash began with bright promise, but ended in gloom and tribulation. It furnishes another instance of the evil consequences of forsaking God.
I JOASH"S APOSTASY. Of this a fuller account is given in the Book of Chronicles than here, though the statement in ver. 2, "Joash did right all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him," already hints at a falling away after Jehoiada"s death. From Chronicles we learn the nature of his apostasy.
1. He yielded to bad counsel. His good adviser having died at the extreme age of a hundred and thirty, he listened to the flatteries and seductions of the princes of Judah, whose bent was all towards evil. (2Ch_24:17)
2. He revived idolatry. If he did not actually participate in the renewed setting up of idols, he permitted it. Baal-worship, from which in infancy he had suffered so much, again lifted up its head in Jerusalem. For this trespass it is said, "wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem". (2Ch_24:18)
3. He shed innocent blood. This declension of Joash was not allowed to go unrebuked. God sent prophets to him to testify to him and warn him, especially Zechariah, the son, or perhaps grandson, of the priest Jehoiada. But so far had the infatuation of Joash gone that he actually permitted this son of his former friend and benefactor to be stoned with stones between the temple and the altar in the court of the Lord"s house (2Ch_24:20-22; cf. Mat_23:35) This ineffaceable crime completed his ruin. As Zechariah died he had said," The Lord look upon it, and require; (2Ch_24:22) and God did require it. The Jews had a tradition that, at the capture of Jerusalem, this blood of Zechariah bubbled up from the floor of the temple court, and could not be pacified. Nebusaradan brought rabbis, and slew them on it, still it was not quiet; he brought children, and slew them on it, still it was not quiet; he slew ninety-four thousand on it, yet it was not quiet. The fable illustrates at least the heinousness of the deed.
II HAZAEL"S INVASION. The instrument employed to chastise Joash and the people for their sins was the redoubtable Hazael. He invaded the laud by the way of Philistia, and reduced it to great distress. We note regarding the invasion:
1. Its resistless character. It was but a very small company of. men that came with Hazael, but they seem to have swept the "very great host" of Judah before them with ease, destroying the princes of the people, who had been ringleaders in wickedness, and sending the spoil on to Damascus (cf. 2Ch_24:24) It is a fatal thing to break faith with God, to apostatize from solemn covenants with him, to provoke him to anger by open wickedness and deeds of blood. The strength of a nation stands not in its mighty men, but in the favor of God, and where that is withdrawn, a handful of armed men will chase a thousand (cf. Deu_4:25-27 Deu_28:27-48)
2. The ignominious tribute. What, in so deplorable a case, could Joash do? His princes, so bold in counseling him in courses of sin, were cowards in the field; and Hazael seemed bent on utterly overthrowing him. He had no alternative but to make the best terms he could, and buy the invader off. To furnish the requisite tribute he had to strip both the temple and his own house of all their goodly treasures. He took the hallowed things of his forefathers out of the temple, and the gold that was found in its treasuries; he took also his own gold, and sent everything to Hazael. He, the restorer of the temple, is forced to become the spoiler of the temple. To such depths of ignominy and misery are men led by forsaking the ways of God. Yet nothing seems to avail sinners for warning! They go on as madly in ways of wickedness as if no one had ever tried these paths before them, and found them the ways of death.
III THE FATAL CONSPIRACY. We have, finally, the account of how Joash met his end by a conspiracy of two of his servants.
1. The origin of the conspiracy. We cannot err in supposing that it had its origin in the seething discontent of the people. They saw the kingdom going to pieces in the hands of an unfaithful king; they saw righteous blood shed; they had suffered severely from the barbarities of invasion. The conspirators do not seem to have plotted any dynastic change. Their act only expressed the bitter hatred with which the person of the king had come to be regarded. How different from the day when the multitude shouted, "God save the king!" And that change had come about solely through Joash"s departure from the right ways of God.
2. Its fatal result. The servants, whose names are given in the text, smote him in "the house of Millo" so that he died. Thus Joash fell by the stroke of an assassin, unpitied, unlamented by his people. When the bonds of godliness are loosed, the bonds of fidelity between man and man are loosed. (Hos_4:1, Hos_4:2)
3. The dishonor to his body. The crowning ignominy put upon Joash was the refusal of the people to allow him to be buried in the sepulcher of the kings, as Jehoiada had been. (2Ch_24:25) This confirms what is said above of the odium in which he was held by his people. J.O.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain 2Ki_12:17. Hazael, king of Syria, fought against Gath—Gath, formerly…
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
2Ki_12:17. Hazael, king of Syria, fought against Gath—Gath, formerly a town of the Philistines According to Chronicles, the expedition against Jerusalem occurred in the last year of Jehoash’s reign, and it is there marked that this was a punishment from the Lord for the king’s unfaithfulness to Him, and his cruelty to the prophet Zechariah. To secure Jerusalem, the king purchased the withdrawal of the Syrians with the treasures of God’s house.
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2Ki_12:20. His servants arose and slew Jehoash—He was at the time in his bed with wounds, probably received in battle with the Syrians. Comp. the account in Chronicles.—W. H. J.
HOMILETICS OF 2Ki_12:17-21
THE UNHAPPY FATE OF AN UNFAITHFUL KING
AFTER the death of Jehoiada the career of Joash was a series of disasters. He became unfaithful to his covenant vows, and was seduced into idolatry. Having forsaken Jehovah, he was abandoned to his courses, and soon became a prey to his own evil passions and to the enemies who swooped down upon him with deadly intent.
I. His kingdom is harassed with war and rapine (2Ki_12:17). The Syrians invaded his dominions, and, though insignificant in number, wrought much slaughter, and bore away great spoil. Under the pious rule of the good Jehoiada the nation was in peace, and grew in prosperity and riches. The nation that turns its back on Jehovah will not go unpunished. It is no wonder if it is smitten with the scourge of war and all its attendant woes. “War,” says Luther, “is one of the greatest plagues that can afflict humanity. It destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge, in fact, is preferable to it. Famine and pestilence become as nothing in comparison with it. Pestilence is the least evil of the three, and ’twas therefore David chose it, willing rather to fall into the hands of God, than into those of pitiless man.” War is the sink of all injustice.
II. He is demoralized with cowardice and fear (2Ki_12:18). Instead of rallying his forces and meeting the enemy with a brave, determined spirit, Joash weakly yielded, and even despoiled the House of God of its valuables, and sacred vessels to bribe the Syrian king to withdraw. Conscious unfaithfulness is the parent of craven fear.
Cowards die many times before their death;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that man should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.—Shakespeare.
III. His life is hurried to an untimely and ignominious end (2Ki_12:20-21). Joash is smitten with disease, and yet, as if this was too slow a process to end his wretched life, a conspiracy was formed, and he was quickly despatched with the assassin’s sword. His murder of the son of his benefactor met with a speedy retribution. His ignominy did not end with his death. To show the popular execration in which he was held, his body was refused burial in the sepulchre of the kings—a terrible warning as to the fate of all apostates. Another illustration of how dark and dismal a night may settle upon a life that opened with so fair and hopeful a morning.
LESSONS:—
1.—It is a fatal step to reject the pious counsels and training of one’s youth.
2. A king cannot go wrong without involving a nation in suffering.
3. No rank in life can screen the evil-doer from punishment.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2Ki_12:17-21. The best instruction cannot preserve against a fall if the heart is not firm and strong. Only he who endures unto the end shall be saved. The noblest commencement is vain, if the end is perverse and wicked. Joash was taught what calamities it brings to abandon the Lord God (Jer_2:19). The Lord rewards everyone according to his works, whether in this or the next world. What a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Joash was marvellously preserved as an infant; he ends his life wretchedly. This is an example how near the ruin of a man is when he abandons the good to which he was educated from his youth up, nay, even is glad to be rid of those who annoy him by their warnings.—Lange.
2Ki_12:18. A cowardly spirit. I. A result of conscious infidelity. II. Weakly succumbs even to an inferior force. III. Has no scruples as to how money is raised wherewith to bribe an enemy. IV. Is despised by its oppressor. V. Encourages a renewal of hostilities.
2Ki_12:20-21. All the people shouted to the child king, “Long live the king!” and rejoiced and blew trumpets. Conspiracy and murder were the end of his forty years’ reign!
2Ki_12:20. Assassination. I. A symptom of national discontent. II. A dastardly and brutal method of revenge. III. Brings no advantage to the parties concerned in it.
2Ki_12:21. He that was guilty of abominable idolatry, yet, as if God meant to waive that challenge, is called to reckoning for his cruel unthankfulness to Jehoiada. This crime shall make him odious alive, and shall abandon him dead from the sepulchre of his fathers, as if this last royalty were too good for him who had forgotten the law of humanity. Some vices are such as nature smiles upon, though frowned at by Divine justice; others are such as even nature itself abhors. Such is this of ingratitude, which therefore carries so much more detestation from God, as it is more odious even to them who have blotted out the image of God.—Bp. Hall.
—So ended the last remains of the great struggle of the house of Omri for power. So was preserved the house of David through the fiercest struggles, inward and outward, that it witnessed till its final overthrow. So was confirmed the establishment of the priesthood in the heart of the monarchy.—Stanley.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain War With Hazael
War With Hazael
v. 17. Then Hazael, king of Syria, the same king who had harassed Israel for so many years, went up and fought against Gath, the Philistine city which at that time was in the hands of Judah, 2Ch 11:8, Cf 2Ch 24:15-24, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem, at which time, according to the account in Chronicles, he administered the severe defeat upon the army of Jehoash, who had forsaken Jehovah after the death of Jehoiada.
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v. 18. And Jehoash, king of Judah, took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahazlah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, gifts of consecration to Jehovah, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord and In the king’s house, and sent It to Hazael, king of Syria; and he went away from Jerusalem. The utensils which, according to 2Ch 24:7, Athaliah and her sons had taken from the Temple, and misappropriated to the service of Baal, had no doubt been restored to their original purpose before the occasion mentioned in 2Ki 11:18. So Jehoash was obliged to buy the immunity of the city of Jerusalem from Hazael in such a shameful manner, all for his denial of the Lord in the last years of his reign.
v. 19. And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
v. 20. And his servants, who had not forgotten the tyranny of the king against the sons of Jehoiada, 2Ch 24:25, arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash In the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla, probably in the castle of the fortress of Jerusalem, where it bounded on the main street of the city.
v. 21. For Jozachar, the son of Shimmeath, and Jehozabad, the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. And Amaziah, his son, reigned in his stead. Although Jehoash was buried in the city of David, he was not given the honor of a burial in the tombs of the kings, probably on account of the sins named 2Ch 24:17-22. This story is a solemn warning for such as have been enthusiastic in the service of the Lord, but afterward have fallen into ways of sin. Only he who is faithful to the end will be saved.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Hazael king of Aram attacked ... Hazael then turned…
Hazael king of Aram attacked ... Hazael then turned to attack
This refers to Hazael's army as well as to Hazael. AT: "Hazael king of Aram and his army attacked ... Then they turned to attack" (See: Synecdoche)
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Hazael
This is the name of the king of the country of Syria. (See: How to Translate Names)
took it
"defeated and took control of it"
Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers
These men were previous kings of Judah. (See: Metaphor)
set apart
"dedicated"
the gold that was found in the storerooms
"the gold that was stored in the storerooms"
Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem
The gifts Joash gave Hazael convinced him not to attack Jerusalem. This can be made explicit. AT: "So Hazael stopped attacking Jerusalem and left"
translationWords
king
Aram
Gath
Jerusalem
Joash
kingdom of Judah
Yahweh
Jehoshaphat
Jehoram
Ahaziah
ancestor
set apart
holy
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 12:17 Hazael, a perennial oppressor of God’s people (8:28;…
12:17 Hazael, a perennial oppressor of God’s people (8:28; 9:14-15; 10:32-33; 13:3), had assassinated the Aramean king Ben-hadad II and seized the throne (8:15). Hazael’s campaign against Israel and Judah probably came after the death of the Assyrian king Shamshi-adad V in 811 BC and before Adad-nirari III (810–783 BC) launched a series of campaigns in 805 BC, leading to the capture of Damascus in 802 BC. Free of Assyria’s heavy hand, Hazael could launch a campaign southward. • Whether Gath is the well-known city of the Philistines (1 Sam 5:8; 6:17) or a Hebrew city otherwise known as Gittaim (2 Sam 4:3; Neh 11:33) is disputed.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.