High is not expressed in Heb. or Sept., but he is supposed to have been the pontiff. H. CHAPTER XXII. Seventh. Vatican Sept., by mistake, has "the eighth." --- Encouraged, or "strengthened." Sept., &c. H. --- Captains, whether Levites, or ancient officers of the crown, who were dissatisfied with the usurper, 4 K. xi. Israel, of which Juda formed a part. M. --- At the time when the author lived, Israel was destroyed, so that there was no danger of a mistake. --- Jerusalem, on a sabbath-day, and most likely on one of the three great festivals: (C.) Salien (the year of the world 3157) thinks at the Passover, to avoid suspicion. M. Do. Though God's promise was absolute, human means were to be used. W. To the sabbath. That is, to perform in your weeks the functions of your office, or the weekly watches. Ch. --- Porters. Sept. "even to the entrance gates." --- House, where Athalia resided, or in the apartments of Joas in the temple. --- Foundation. Sept. "middle." Syriac, "of the cooks, or guards." H. --- It led from the palace up the steps, v. 21. M. --- Perhaps it was also called Sur, 4 K. --- But let. This seems to be transposed out of its place from v. 6. Slain. Athalia ventured to enter; but she was alone, and not much feared. C. High. Heb. "the priest dismissed not the courses." H. --- In case of right and necessity, we see here what the high priest could do, though otherwise he would not interfere. W. Altar of holocausts, in the court of the priests, while the people stood in their own court. T. CHAPTER XXIII. Crown. Literally, "diadem." --- Testimony. This is explained in the following sentence, (H.) which is not in Hebrew nor in many Latin MSS. The Jews understand the phylaceries, Deut. xvii. 18. Step. Heb. hamudo, "his pillar," to which he ascended by steps. D. --- Entrance into the court of the priests; but the tribune stood in that of the people, where Joas was in his royal attire. Himself, as God's vicegerent. C. --- A double covenant was made between God and the people, and between the king and his subjects. D. Idols. Prot. "images." H. --- Those are wilfully blind who will not distinguish these from the images of Christ and his saints. W. David, which had been long neglected, 1 Paralipomenon xxiv. M. Upper gate of the guards, at the back or western end of the temple, C. v. 5. Him. Joas, as Protestants (H.) and most interpreters understand it, with the Syriac, &c. Joiada was too old to think of marrying again, as the Rabbins would explain the Hebrew, conformably to the Sept. and Arabic, "himself." C. --- Joas did not probably marry two at once. Salien, the year of the world 3766. --- Amasias was born of Joadan, chap, xxv. 1. M. --- The high priest considered Joas as his son, being married to his aunt. H. Money. The half sicle, (Ex. xxx. 13., and 4 K. xii. 4.; C.) which at first was required for the tabernacle, and afterwards for the repairs of the temple. W. Chief "priest," (v. 11,) where he is called the first. Heb. "the head priest." Children. All but Ochozias had been slain by the Arabs. The plural is often put for the singular. S. Jerom (Trad.) explains it of the priests of the idols, whom Athalia cherished as her own offspring. That, &c. Heb. "till it was done," according to the law. Pagnin) From day. Literally, "every day," (H.) when the chest was replenished. M. And for. Heb. "and to offer," such as (H.) "mortars," Proverbs xxvii. 22. Eali is thus translated. C. --- Prot. "and spoons and vessels." Israel, particularly to those of the kingdom of Juda. H. --- His, David's, house, (M.) as he had restored the crown to his offspring. Worshipped. Heb. "bowed down to the king, and he hearkened to them." H. --- The Jews say that the princes flattered him with the title of god, as he had been educated in the temple. Estius --- But this is improbable. C. --- They petitioned for leave to re-establish the worship of Baal, (M.) and paid greater honours to the king than were becoming. D. Idols. Heb. "sorrows." Sept. "the Astartes and idols." C. Them. Calling heaven and earth to witness (C.) the unity of God. H. --- These prophets might have been performing their sacred commission ever since the reign of Josaphat; during which time Eliseus, Micheas, Jehu, and others, lived, C. xx. 14., and xviii. 27. C. CHAPTER XXIV. Priest, refers to Zacharias. Sept. "Azarias." H. --- It is not certain whether this was the person whom Jesus Christ speaks, (Matthew xxiii. 35.; C.) as S. Jerom believes; (Matthew xxiii. 35.) or our Saviour alludes to one of the minor prophets, (T.) or to the father of John the Baptist. Baronius) H. --- Sight. Heb. "above," perhaps on the steps between the two courts. C. --- To make. Heb. "therefore hath he forsaken you." Require it. I commit my cause into his hands. M. --- The vengeance of the Lord was not slack. H.Raro antecedentem scelestum Deseruit pede p\'9cna claudo. Horace) Damascus. Hazael had before invaded Jerusalem, 4 K. xii. 17. The Syrian army, which routed Juda, was comparatively small. C. --- The idolatrous princes now received the due punishment of their crimes, v. 17. Shameful, is not expressed in Hebrew. But the putting a king to the torture, (v. 25.) and upbraiding him with his ingratitude and perfidy, was a gread indignity. H. --- He had probably entered into engagements with Hazael, when he prevailed on him to depart, the year before. C. --- Nabuchodonosor treated Sedecias in like manner, 4 K. xxv. 6. The author of the Hebrew Trad. among the works of S. Jerom, (H.) asserts that the children of Joas were slain before his eyes, while the Syrians reproached him for the unjust murder of Zacharias. C. Servants. By whom the man is slain, who had murdered his spiritual father. W. --- Son. Heb. "sons." See v. 7. Some think that the brothers of Zacharias were slain, that they might not attempt to revenge his death. --- Kings. These sepulchres are amazingly beautiful and spacious. The doors are six feet high, and formed, like the rest, of solid stone, cut in the most elegant manner. Doubdan 26. C. Moabitess. Sept. read, "the Ammonite....and Moabite." See 4 K. xii. 21. H. And. Sept. "And all his sons: for five came upon him," with the rest of the conspirators. H. --- They have read differently. C. --- Sum. Heb. "the greatness of the burden on him," (H.) imposed by the Syrians, (v. 24) or denounced by the prophets. Mossa is often taken for a prophetic menace. C. --- More. Heb. "in the researches." Prot. "story of the book." Addo entitled his book Modross, C. xxii. 22. H. --- Only some extracts from these works have come down to us. Esdras had them before him. The abridgments have occasioned their loss, as has been the case with many other excellent works. This was the more easy, as writing was not then so common. C. Heart, and with perseverance. Families. The officers were well acquainted with their soldiers; (C.) and all were more interested for each other's welfare, (D.) than they are in the present system. C. --- Young. Prot. "choice men, able to go." H. Thousand. Yet "they were so greatly reduced, but a few years before, that there were....only fifty horsemen," &c. 4 K. xiii. 7. Kennicott --- That might be true, at one time, when the people fled from the king's banners, through fear. But they were still in the country, and God gave Israel a saviour, 4 K. xiii. 5. See C. xiii. 3., and xvii. 19. H. --- Silver. This sum was very small, for so great a multitude. Salien suspects talents of gold are meant, though the soldiers were paid in silver. But the sum was only the hire for a short time; (M.) and was not distributed among the soldiers, who were to live on plunder, but went into the king's coffers, (C.) or belonged to the officers alone. Mariana) D. --- The talent of silver was worth 342 l. 3 s. 9 d. Arbuthnot) And. Heb. "But if thou wilt go, do; be strong; God," &c. Sept. "if thou thinkest that thou art strong with these, the Lord," &c. Amasias ought to have known that no dependance was to be placed on Israel, while they despised God, C. xv. 2. What will. Syriac, &c. "What then is my crime in having given the," &c. --- To the. Hebrew or, "for the army." H. Rock, afterwards called Jecteel. Some take it to be Petra, 4 K. xiv. 7. Samaria, the capital, where they had made their complaints to king Joas; and receiving no redress, began to plunder, as far as Bethhoron the lower, which Solomon had repaired, and his successors had retained, though it belonged to the territory of Ephraim, C. xiii. 5., and Josue xviii. 13. C. Art thou. Heb. adds, "appointed." H. --- The very character of prophet, authorized him to give counsel even to kings. Amasias had perhaps obeyed this prophet, (v. 7) but now his heart was puffed up with victory. --- Kill thee, sixteen years hence. Another, and fight. He supposed Joas had connived at his subjects' invasion, (v. 13.; H. See 4 K. xiv. 8.; C.) and he now required all Israel to submit to him. Josephus) T. Thistle. This fable insinuated how much Joas despised the insolence of his antagonist, (H.) and Amasias had soon reason to repent. T. It. Prot. "it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom." H. --- The king was permitted to give ear to evil counsellors. C. --- "Jupiter deprives those of understanding, whom he means to destroy." Homer --- The heart is hardened on account of former sins. W. Obededom, whose descendants guarded these treasures, 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. 15. C. --- Hostages. Prot. "the hostages also, and returned to Samaria." H. --- Some think that the kings of Juda had before detained these men. Estius --- Others suppose that Joas had taken many nobles, whom he exchanged for their sons. But this is all conjecture. C. CHAPTER XXV. David. Heb. "of Juda," contrary to the Sept., Syriac, &c. C. Ozias, called Azarias (4 K. xiv. 21.; C.) improperly. H. Juda, till the reign of Achaz, 4 K. xvi. 6. It had revolted under Joram. C. Done. And was successful, as long as he attended to the high priest, Num. xxvii. 21. W. God, or who had the gift of intelligence and prophecy from God. Heb. "who was intelligent in the visions of God." Others have read birath, with the Sept. "in the fear;" or Chaldean, &c. "instructing in the fear of the Lord." The Jews childishly understand Zacharias to mean the king himself, in the early part of his reign. Others suppose the priest, who was slain by Joas, is designated. (Lyranus --- But this was rather his son (T.; Cajetan; C.) and successor, as well as a prophet, who had therefore a more perfect knowledge of God; though none can comprehend his being. H. In. Prot. "about Ashdod." Sept. "he built (or repaired) the cities of Azotus," to keep under the Philistines, who had revolted under Joram, C. xxi. 16. Gurbaal. Gerera, (S. Jerom, Trad.) or Gebal, Psalm lxxxii. 8. Sept. "the rock," or Petra, in Arabia, where Stephanus places the Gabalenes. --- Ammonites. Heb. mehunim. Sept. "Mineans," (chap. xx. 1.; H.) upon the Red Sea, (Stephanus) or Mediterranean, (Pliny vi. 28,) or in Arabia Felix. Strabo) M. Gifts. Tribute, C. xxvii. 5. C. --- Victories. Prot. "the strengthened himself exceedingly." H. Corner. Repairing what Joas had demolished, 4 K. xiv. 13. T. Wilderness, for the protection of shepherds, 4 K. xvii. 9. --- Plains. Heb. "valleys, and in the plains husbandmen, and vinedressers in the mountains, and in Carmel; for he loved the earth, or husbandry," like David, 1 Paralipomenon xvii. 25., &c. --- Carmel, means, "the vine of God;" as both the mount in Juda, where Nabal resided, and that on the Mediterranean Sea, were famous for wine. Ozias probably cultivated the former mountain. C. Doctor. Heb. shoter. Sept. "judge." Prot. "ruler." H. --- The term is commonly understood of one who executes the sentence of the judge. But this employment does not suit a general, (C.) though such a one might well command. It many denote any "officer." H. Engines. They are here mentioned for the first time. C. --- For the. Heb. "for he was wonderfully helped till he was established." H. --- He invented may things for the defence of his kingdom. C. Azarias. The prophet, who had hitherto kept the king (H.) within bounds, was now no more, v. 5. T. To thee. For usurping spiritual authority, the king was opposed by the high priest; and God confirmed the sentence of the latter, by striking Ozias with the leprosy; on which account, the was not only cast out of the temple, but also lost his kingdom, being obliged to live apart; (Lev. xiii. 46,) and after death, he could not be buried with his ancestors. W. Forehead. So that it could not be concealed. According to the rigour of the law, such an offender was to be slain, Num. iii. 10., and xviii. 7. The leprosy was considered as equivalent, and is styled destruction, (v. 16,) and death, Isaias vi. 1. M. See 4 K. xv. 6. Prophet. Yet we find little concerning him in the prophecy of Isaias; so that the work has been lost, except what Esdras hath preserved. C. Leper. So much was the disease abhorred, (C.) as well as the king's late conduct. H.