PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings
George Rawlinson [1812-1902] · 432,569 words · 453 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 181
Vers. 1-14.-Destruction of Ahab's house. Jebu was not a man to do thingR by halves. Whatever matter be had in hand, be pushed with unhesitating feet to his goal. His motto was, "If it were then done when 'tie done, then 'twere well it were done quickly." This vigorous determination is a feature in his character wort…
722 wordsSECTION 182The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 182
they were his, nnd would hearken to his voice, the proof of allegiance he would require or them would be that they bring to him by the same hour to-morrow the heads of their master's sons. 'l'he requisition was peremptory, the time given brief, and they had already committed themselves by promising obedience to whateve…
873 wordsSECTION 183The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 183
are to r:et. the countenance ~nd approval of good men for their deeds. Hypocrisy has been callt•d t!:ie _homage whwh 1·1ce pays to virtue, and this desire for the approval of 11 holy man 1s, m Another form, the tribute of worldly policy to the superior power of character. 2. Zeal/or the Lord. "Come with me," ~aid Je…
931 wordsSECTION 184The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 184
there as sheep gathered together for the slaughter. All this, we a.re told, "Jehu did in eubtilty, to the intent tbo.t be might destroy the worshippers of Baal." It is impos-- eible to condone this flagrant hypocrisy, which even went the length of offering up a sacrifice to the false god. How unlike the open challenge …
1,207 wordsSECTION 185The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 185
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER XL was prevailed upon to introduce the Baal• worship into Judah (oh. viii. 18; 2 Ohron. Ve!'ll. 1-21.-REVOLUTION IN JUDAll, FOL- x.xi. 5, 11), and Ahaziah prevailed upon to LOWING THE REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS Ill' maintain it (oh. viii. 27; 2 Chron. xxii. 3, lsR.u:L, REIGN OF ATllALlill OVER JUDAH…
532 wordsSECTION 186The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 186
house tho.n tl10.t of Rehoboe.m. Atbe.lioh, in, as under Jehoram (2 Chron. xxi. 11), is uo doubt, endee.voured to make a clean uncertain ; but the servants of Jehovah sweep, o.nd get rid of them e.11. were at any rato under e. cloud, slight.ed, Ver. 2.-:But J'ehoshebe. (" Jehoshe.beatb," contemned, held as of small ac…
965 wordsSECTION 187The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 187
done successfully, and, ns it would seem, and his seed, not to the house of Ahe.b. without in nny way rousing the suspicions And showed them the king's son. Having of Athaliah. A day was fixed for proclaim- bound the centurions by a solemn oovenant ing Joash king; the guard and the Levites to the cause of the young …
1,023 wordsSECTION 188The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 188
in Chroniclos (2 Ohron; xxiii. 5) "the gate dreda-i.e. the five centurions of the guard, of the foundation" (iio: 1)1~) instead of Azari11h the son of Jerohe.m, Azariah the "the gate of Bur" (1101]1~), as-here-the one eon of Obed, Ishmael, Mo.aseiah, and Eli- rending having evidently nrisen out of the shap~o.t-did a…
1,067 wordsSECTION 189The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 189
n.nd must me1tn here, not "comer," but noise of the guard (comp. 1 Kings i. 41-45, "side " (so our Re,·isers). The gue.rd Wits where the noise accompanying the corona- dra ,rn up right across the temple court from tion of Solomon was heard to an equal dis- wnll to wall, probe.bly in several ranks, both tance) and of…
1,047 wordsSECTION 190The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 190
In tbo tomplo court-and Hid unto them, of hie ancestors. A brief' account of these Have her forth without the ranges; rather, proceedings oonc!mles the present chapter. have her forth, or conduct her out between your ranl&a. Tbo object wo.s probo.bly to Ver. 17.-And 1ehoiada me.de e. covenant preservo her from sufferin…
1,048 wordsSECTION 191The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 191
(2 Chron. xxiii. 18, 19) explains this state- placed Joash :,n the roynl throne of hie iin• ment. ·we ere there told that "Jehoiade. cestors, in tile gron.t throne-room of the appointed the offices of the houee of the palace, was Jehoiada content with the work Lord by the he.nd of the priests the Levites, of the day…
1,220 wordsSECTION 192The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 192
Vers. 4-19.-Jehoiada an example of a faithful and wise high priest under trying circumstances. 'l.'he history of the Jewish kingdom from the time of Saul to the Captivity furnishes but few examples of remarkable high priests. Zadok and Abiathar were personages of some importance in the time of David, and left behind th…
672 wordsSECTION 193The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 193
Vers. 15-17.-God,'sjudgments =t unfrequentlyfall in this life, though sometime, they are deferred to the life beyond the grave. The Athaliahs and Mattans of history seldom come to a good end. Though the wicked man be often seen in prosperity, though he " flourishes as a green bay tree," yet it is not often that he c…
769 wordsSECTION 194The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 194
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-18.-The preservation and coronation of Joash. This is a. touching story of human wickedness and of God's overruling and preserving power. Three principal personages come before us here, from each of whom something may be learned. I. ATHALIAII AND IIEII WORK, Athaliah's life-work w…
840 wordsSECTION 195The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 195
Vers. 17-21.-.The oovenant and its results. Jehoiada was faithful to God. All that he _had hithe;to done was but the work of a pioneer, preparing the way for the re8torat1on of Goos worship and God's Law in the land. We have here- I. '.fHE_ OOVENANT MAD~. ~ery early in the hi~tory of God's people we find them enter…
853 wordsSECTION 196The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 196
r,ublicly e.nil unitedly to confess him, the.t time is the present. Wickedness abounds. l'he love of me.ny waxes cold. Many of Christ's professing people seem utterly indifferent to the claims of their MMter and his cause. False doctrines are taught; and under the show of religion there is a growing conformity to the w…
914 wordsSECTION 197The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 197
young king and hea~ the hnrrahs of the crowd, she felt that her atrocious plans had been frustrated, and m her savage humiliation rent her clothes end cried "Treason I Treason! " But her hour was over; she was too late to rally a party in f~VOUl' of her own interest, and ~y the co!11~and of the priest she was instan…
934 wordsSECTION 198The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 198
"All vice to which man yields in greed to do it, Or soon or late, be sure, he'll sorely rue it; Experience deep, howe'er false seeming blind him, Surcharged with retrilmtion, out will find him. It locks upon his soul a fatal fetter, Explodes throughout bis face in horrid tetter, Over his shameless eyeuall8 brings…
677 wordsSECTION 199The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 199
Yem. 4-21.-The cor011ation of Joash. For six years Athaliah was dominant in Israel. Jehoiada meanwhile kept his s~cret well. Least of all did the u~nrping queen suspect that It legitimate heir to the throne was in hiding in the temple almost at her own palace door. Her reign must have grown well-nigh unendmable to t…
844 wordsSECTION 200The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 200
JudBh and Jsmel were to be gui,led (Deut. xvii. 18-20). "Finely are both the crown l\nd the book presented to the king, that he might be not only mighty, but also wise, or, BS we may say, know God's Word Bnd right. Thus, even now, we make kings with I\ sword and book'' (Luther). 'l'he highest in the land are not above …
935 wordsSECTION 201The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 201
if any one ventured to follow Ath&liab, he was to be killed with the sword. But no one 111eem~ to have shown any pity for the fallen queen. The downf&ll of her power was thus complete. A new government having been constituted, her own attempt to excite rebellion now fell under the category of treason, and was punish…
816 wordsSECTION 202The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 202
c,ount of the reign of Joosh. He eeerne to not been thoroughly repaired by J ehoiada. hove hod o great tenderness for him, and during the long minority of J oash, when ho to have determined thot he would put on must practically he.ve had the sole manage- record nothing to hie discredit. We have ment of affairs. Probe.b…
972 wordsSECTION 203The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 203
And [thirdly] e.ll the money the.t cometh the hnnds of the delinquent order" (Ste.n- into e.ny me.n's bee.rt to bring into the house ley). On the contrnry, he left it in their of the Lord; i.e. nll the free-will offerings h1rnds (vers, 9-11). Two oh11nges only that should be made in money by any of were mnde: I. A p…
2,043 wordsSECTION 204The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 204
rlad (I Kings :s:v. IS), And by Joash himeelf him to extraordinary funeml hououra; and (ver. IS) to procure the retreat of Ha.za.el from the siege of J erusa.lem, the vessels of by general consent he we.a interred within the temple must h11Ye required reuova.tiug the city of Jerusn,lem, in the sepulchres of nlmoet …
946 wordsSECTION 205The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 205
pntion-and Haze.al set his faoe to go up the narrative of Kings is to be supplemented to 1eru■e.lem. If Go.th bo Abu-Gheith, as by that of Chronicles. From Chronicles we nppears probable, it would be distant from learn that, before the withdrawal of the Jcrneo.lem not less than forty miles in e. direct line. If He.ze.e…
1,208 wordsSECTION 206The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 206
HOMILETICS. Ver. 2.-Weakness in a monarch almost as bad as wickedness. The most prominent trait in the character of Joash was his lack of independence aud moral weakness. He had no strength of will, no stamina; in the expressive, if inelegant, languao-o of our t.imes, "no bar.kbone." He must always lean upon some one.…
630 wordsSECTION 207The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 207
When prophets remonstrated, and Zechariah denounced God's venaeance on those who had forsaken him (2 Chron, xxiv. 19, 20), then Joaeh, unaccustom;<l to opposition, was so exasperated that he went the length of murder-murder of a hiah 0 priest within the precincts of the temple, by the cruel death of stoning, and murde…
978 wordsSECTION 208The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 208
Vers. 4-15.-C!turch restoration a good work, acceptable to God. David's desire to build God a house is often mentioned to his honour (2 Sam. vii. 2; 1 Chron. xvii. 1, 2; 2 Cbron. vi. 7; .Acts vii. 46). Solomon's reputation for piety 11nd zeal rests mainly upon the pains ""hich he took to erect for God's worship a no…
815 wordsSECTION 209The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 209
Vers. 4-16.-The repairing of the temple under Joash: a missionary sermon. I. Tms WORK HAD ITS ORIGIN IN THE KING'S COMMAND. Kings get a great many hard knocks nowadays. But kings have not been all bad. Considering the fierce light which beats upon a throne, and the special temptations to which they are exposed, perhaps…
709 wordsSECTION 210The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 210
Church in the 1'.fiddle Ages _that the greatest corruptions crept in. Forgetting their spmtual profe_ss1on, they mixed themselves up with the political strife of their day, 'l'he popes aspired to be lords over God's heritacre-a claim which Christ forbade his apostles. to exercise._ . They thirsted for tempor~l power…
917 wordsSECTION 211The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 211
all tho people rejoiced, nncl brought in, and cnst into the chest, until thr,y had ma,le an ond." No doubt they experienced the blessing wl,ich is implied in the words, "God loveth a cheerful giver." We need to study God's Word more on this subject of Chris- tian giving. We have seen what the Old Testament rules were. …
1,040 wordsSECTION 212The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 212
Vars. 1-21.-The history Qf J'oash. "In the seventh year," et.o. The whole s~ry of Joe.sh is soon told. He was a son of Ahaziah, and the only one of his children who escaped the murderous policy of Athaliah. "It would seem that this child, whom ~h~ pity &nd affection. of a pious aunt (Jehoshebe.) had preserved, was …
710 wordsSECTION 213The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 213
flowere of the field, and the countless tribee of sentient life that crowd the ocean, earth, and air, all fall into decay; and so also with the material productions of feeble man. Throughout tho civilized world we see mansionR, churches, cathedrals, palaces, villages, towns, and cities, in ruins. All compound bodies te…
854 wordsSECTION 214The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 214
Notwithstanding this, the religious sentiment was in them, as in all men, a constituent part of their natures; and this sentiment is here appealed to, and roused into excite- ment; and, ~ing excited, men ponre~ forth their treasures and employed their energies for the rcpamng of the temple. 'fh1s element in man ofte…
1,150 wordsSECTION 215The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 215
Vers. 4-6.-The temple repairs-a, good purpose frustrated. At an early period of his reign, Joash, instigated no doubt by the good Jeboiada, took steps to have the temple put in a proper state of repair. I. THE REPAm OF THE TEMPLE PROJECTED, 1. The need of repair. What fa stated in Chronicles of the condition of the te…
636 wordsSECTION 216The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 216
hnH pr~vailed. The fact may be attributed: 1. To the inertia, o/ the priesthood, E'l'erythmg seems at first to have been left to the priests and Levites. They were to go through the l11nd, n:iake proolamation of the king's purpose, and collect the money for th_e work. ~n this du~y they appear to have been slack. "Th…
864 wordsSECTION 217The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 217
high prieat came up, opened the box, put the money in bags, e.nd made a strict account of the sums. Strictness in pecuniary details may seem a minor matter, but it is really not so. The me.n who ie honest in his pecuniary affairs ie likely to be honest all through, Nothing shakes confidence BO much as the suspicion of …
842 wordsSECTION 218The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 218
Jehoiada the priest instructed him," already hints at a falling away after Jehoiada's death. From Chronicles we le:trn the nature of his apostllsy. 1. He yielded to bad cou11sel. His good adviser having died at the extreme age of a hundred and thirty, he listened to the fh,tteries and seductions of the princes of Ju…
931 wordsSECTION 219The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 219
OHAPTER XIII. standing the good service that he had done in crushing the Baal-worship, was clmstised Vera. 1-25.-RIIIIONB OF JEHOAHAZ, BON by God (eh. x. 32, 33) on account of his OF J1mu, AND Jo.t.BH, BON OF JEHOAHAZ, continuance in the "sin of Jeroboam;" and now Jehoahaz was even more signally OVER ISRAEL. N OTIO…
885 wordsSECTION 220The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 220
of the httnde of He.znel, e.nd not euft'er him me.nuecripts omit tile word, e.ud it is wont- to con_tinue subject" ('Ant. Jud.,' ix. 8. § 5). ing in the Chaldec, Syriac, and Arabio Ee did n?t turn from hie sin of idole.try, versions. Theui11a would cancel it. But p<'rhape did not l!Ullpeot the.t it was this sin walk…
1,059 wordsSECTION 221The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 221
Do.mo.ecus (Amos l 8. Bee Posey's in the sight of the Lord ; he departei not • Minor Prophets,' p. 158). from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Ver. 8.-Now the rest of the aots of Bebat, who me.de Israel sin; but he walked Jehou.haz, and all that he did, and his therein. Josephos sRys that Joo.eh was a might; rather…
1,013 wordsSECTION 222The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 222
we.s. e.t any rate, a prinoe of e.n amiable dia- should be, or at leaet appear to be, the joint po~ition. And wept over hia fao-..i.e. leant act of himself and the king. The intention over the Bick man as he lay on hie bed, and was, no doubt, as Keil says, " to show tha~ ehed tears, eome of which fell on him-and the…
1,044 wordsSECTION 223The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 223
"Strike upon the ground:" nnd so Ewald, 28) might have been anticipated by the De Watte, and Thenius, who regard the space of fifteen or twenty years. Wheree.e order ne one to strike with the arrows ngninst now thou she.It smite Syria but thrice(comp. the ground (i.e. the floor) or in tho direction ver. 25, which de…
1,749 wordsSECTION 224The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 224
HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-1.-Gotrs severity and God's goodness alike shown in the ~is_tory of Israel 'Uinder Jehoahaz. L GoD's SEVERITY. Two sins only are noted as eX1St1ng among the people at this tim&-the calf-worship, and the maintenance of the "grove," or ashcrah (ver. 6). One of these, the worlihip of the calves, was a…
1,077 wordsSECTION 225The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 225
vi~. praise and ack:nowledgment on the part orthose who represent the nation and have R right to speak on its behalf. Due acknowledgment is seldom grudged, when the end has come or approaches; and, though man's judgment is a "small thing" compo.red with God's, it is not altogether to be despised-we may feel in such …
1,176 wordsSECTION 226The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 226
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-13, with 22-25.-The reigns of Jehoahaz and Joash, king, of ImM!l. Observe here- I. THE PERPETUITY OF EVIL. How sad it is to read of one, king after another, "He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord" ! And then the statement is usually made," He departed not from the si…
1,235 wordsSECTION 227The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 227
instead of thBt, he only smote three times, an.d then gave up. Thus he illustrated hi! own want of faith in God's almighty pow'llT, his own want of patience and perse- verance, and therefore how liUle he deserved God's interference on his behalf. The old proverb truly says," God helps those that help themselves." The c…
912 wordsSECTION 228The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 228
the lit.tie companies of Christians who survived the massacre met for worship in secret• in dens and caves of the mountains, and were in constant danger of their lives. Yet In t.hat_ large island to-day t~ere is a Christian population of nearly three hundred thousand, the idols have been publicly burned, and the Chr…
900 wordsSECTION 229The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 229
their l1and, even when they see no results of their labour I "He that goctb forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing bis sbea.ves with him." Work done for God never dies. Stay not your hand in the matter of your own spiritual life. Persevere in the conflict with your…
851 wordsSECTION 230The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 230
Even the most usefnl public :nen, and the most popular too, cease to attract groat puhlie attention ns they pass into years. Often they become as "dead men out of ~ight," albeit they are useful. Though all men have to die, death is uot the same to all men. It has a widely different significance to different men. 'l'…
860 wordsSECTION 231The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 231
exlicclion of Ahab's honee, the rooting out of Baal, and the establishment of Jehu's dynasty, Israel obtained a new chance of doing well. Bat Jehu's reforming zeal soon died out, and he fell back into gGdless ways. His son followed the worse, and cot the better, traditions of hie father's reign. Thus the downward movem…
858 wordsSECTION 232The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 232
succeeded by his son Jehoash, or Joash. In this reign, after a long interval, Btisha ag~in appe3rs. I. AcoE8SION OF JoAsH. The change of rulers was in some respects a gain for Isrnel. Joash wae a man of better disposition than his father, and under hie reign the kingdom, which had been so sorely broken down, was ag…
1,796 wordsSECTION 233The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 233
can be thus rescued from oblivion-the mere bones of his history; but what a power ill in them I So of a man's words, The fragments of a man's speech that can be preserved in any collection of his sayings are comparatively few. They are the mere bones or his speech. But they quicken souls through the ages. The words of …
762 wordsSECTION 234The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 234
deo.th (vcrs. 17-20). Between vers.14 and opposed themselves to prophets, and treated 16 there is interposed u. summnry of the their rebukes with scorn. Both rouser! con- reign of King Jonah of Judah, which is little spiracy against them by their misconduct, and were murdered by the malcontents. more than e. repetitio…
989 wordsSECTION 235The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 235
Sons, it might be e.eenmed, wonld be cogni- were barbarously put to death by being t:ant of their father's intention, and would precipitated from the top of e. rock (2 Ohron. so be e.oc0880riee before the fRC',t. And the xxv. 12). "The valley of salt," the scene law of daim, or•• blood-feud," would make it of the ba…
1,048 wordsSECTION 236The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 236
wrote a letter to Joash, and required him to 1houldeat thou meddle to thy hurt-literally, submit himself and people to the anthority u,hy wilt thou meddle with misfunwne f - of the Jewish state, and thus restore the that thou 1houldest fe.11, even thou, e.nd state of things which bad existed under J'udah with theet Joa…
984 wordsSECTION 237The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 237
■oon ne the leraelit.e army appeared before they came into the t6lt at this point, since the ple.ce. The breach in the wall was no explantttion oould be more than a cou- t.berefore not the result of siege operation,, jecture, In point of fact, they are redun- hut the net of a conqueror, who desired to dant. le1tvc …
1,023 wordsSECTION 238The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 238
fortified by Jeroboam against the Egyptillne him king fr.atea4 of his father Amazia.h. (2 Ohron. xi. 9). It wae besieged and '!'here are two forms of the king's name, takon by Sennaoherib(oh, xviii, 14; Layard, Aza.riah and Uzziah. The difference be- • Nineveh nod HBbylon,' pp. 149-152). tween them is not so great in t…
918 wordsSECTION 239The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 239
time Rgreea with those in oh. xiii. 10 and name for the lower Jordan ve.lley, like El- oh. xi,. I, 17, but not with that in oh. xv. Ghor at the present day (see Deut. iii. 17 • J (see the comment on that passage)--.Tero- Josh. iii. 16; xii. 8, eto.). The territory boam the aon of J'oash King of Israel began recovere…
1,063 wordsSECTION 240The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 240
ga.ve them the delivore.noe promised first by tion. Probably, in the troubles that fol- Elislrn (eh. xiii. 17), a.nd then by J onnh the lowed the death of Zachariah (eh. xv. 10- son of Amitta.i (ver. 25)-deliverance from 14), the yoke was thrown off. In the As- Syria, recovery of their borders, and triumph syrian Inscr…
901 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.