Bible Commentaries

And. This chapter supplementary to 1Ki 15.

the Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for His gift of prophecy. One of the eight occurrences outside the book of Samuel.

Azariah. Not mentioned elsewhere.

Oded. See 2 Chronicles 28:9. Hebrew. "oded.

hath = had.

without. Figures of speech Anaphora and Polysyndeton. App-6.

and. Figure of speech Polysyndeton.

a teaching priest. Teaching was the great priestly function. But, as generally with priests, teaching was neglected for ritual. See note on Deuteronomy 17:11; Deuteronomy 33:10. Malachi 2:7.

no peace. As in the days of Deborah and Gideon (Judges 5:6; Judges 6:6).

vexations = consternations. Compare Deuteronomy 7:23. 1 Samuel 5:9. Amos 3:9. Zechariah 14:13. Hebrew. mehumah = specially trouble from God.

the countries: i.e. the different tribal divisions.

adversity. By civil wars.

and the prophecy, &c. Render: "and the prophecy (Oded was the prophet) he took", &c.

abominable idols = abominations. Referring specially to the "Asherim. App-42.

the cities . . . taken. Probably by Abijah (2 Chronicles 13:19).

mount = the hill country.

strangers = sojourners: i.e. those not of Judah. Hebrew. gur. See note on Proverbs 5:3.

Ephraim. Jeroboam's own tribe.

Simeon. Always more or less reckoned with Judah.

fell to him out of Israel. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.

third month. The feast of Pentecost.

fifteenth year. The dates of verses: 2 Chronicles 15:9-19 refer to the parenthesis which concern 2 Chronicles 14:9-15.

offered = sacrificed. Hebrew. zabach. App-43.

the spoil. Taken from the Ethiopians, &c. (2 Chronicles 14:13-15).

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

should be put to death. Compare Deuteronomy 17:2-6.

Maachah. See note on 2 Chronicles 13:2.

mother = the queen-mother. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus) for grandmother (1 Kings 15:2).

idol in a grove = a monstrous "Asherah for a grove. Compare 1 Kings 15:13. See App-42.

stamped it = beat it small.

not taken away. Not from "Israel" (2 Chronicles 15:17), but from Judah (2 Chronicles 14:3). Figure of speech Palinodia. App-6.

perfect: i.e. so far as idolatry was concerned.

things . . . dedicated = holy things. See note on Exodus 3:5.

no more war = no actual campaign (as in 2 Chronicles 16:1). There was quiet between the two kings (2 Chronicles 14:1), but there was border fighting (as in 1 Kings 15:16, 1 Kings 15:32). See note on 2 Chronicles 14:1.

reign = kingdom. Compare Numbers 24:7. 1 Samuel 20:31. 1 Kings 2:12. 1 Chronicles 11:10; 1 Chronicles 14:2; 1 Chronicles 17:14; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:5.