The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 247

worship; but the after-effects show that no portion of God's Law can be neglected with impunity. The worship on high places was a temptation and snare to Jude.h. 'l'he neglect to remove them reacted seriously on the life of the nation. II. JusT JUDGMENT. The treatment by Amaziah of his father's murderers gives furt?er evidence of his early disposition to do wel_l. We ?bserve: 1. The ewecution of fusti.ce. The murderers were put to death. This was right. The existence of even real grieva.nces does not justify resort to crime. David's treatment of Saul shows the right course to be pursued in such cases (1 Sam. xxiv. 4-12). And a nation is onl1 secure when real crime is punished within its borders. 2. Discrimination of innocent and guilty. It is specially noted about Amaziah that, in taking this vengeance on the men who slew his father, he did not, as was a frequent custom in those times, slay the chilGren of the murderers. He acted, therefore, on principle in his judgment, not in blind fury. His object was to vindicate justice, not to take revenge. He drew the line where it ought to be drawn-between the actually guilty and the innocent. 'l'here is a strong tendency, where anger is strongly kindled ogainst a person or persons, to allow rage to overflow on those not directly implicated in their offence. The odium that attaches to them is extended also to their families, and pleasure is taken in inflictin<>' insult and pain on their children and relatives. Tbis ought not to be. 3. Regard Jo~ Go<l's Law. Tbe reason for Amaziah acting as he did was that it was so commanded in the Law of Moses (Deut. xxiv. 16). On the seeming contradiction between this passa"e and those which speak of the iniquity of the fathers being visited on the children, ~r which illustrate the actual punishment of children for their parents' sins-as in the case of Achan (Josh. vii. 24-26)-it may suffice to remark that the rule here laid down is one for Auman jurisprudence. There is a wider treatment of human beings, con- stantly finding illustration in providence, in which the principles of organic union and corporate responsibility have full play; but God does not entrust the enforcement of these to any human magistracy. What specially concerns us here is the fact that, finding such a ntle laid down in the Word of God, Amaziah faithfully adhered to it. His conduct shows an advance in the moral conceptions of the'time-a better apprecia- tion of the fact of individuality. ill. EABLY VICTORY. In connection with this earlier and more promising part of Amaziah's reign, we are told of a great victory which he gained over the Edomites. The Edomites had revolted in Jehoram's reign (eh. viii. 20); but Amaziah now felt himself strong enough to attempt their resubjugation. In setting out on this war- the origin of which we do not precisely know-he had the countenance of God's pro- phets, e.nd acted by their directions (2 Chron. xxv. 6-10). He had, as men always have when God is with them and they are content to be guided by his will, great success. He slew of Edom ten thousand, took Selah, or Petra, and changed its name. But the flush of his victory proved also the beginning of his ruin. I. His conquest was not unmarked by great cruelty (cf. 2 Ohren. xxv. 12). . 2. He fell into idolatry, actually setting up the gods of the Edom.ites which he had brought home, and burning incense to them-those gods which, as a prophet reminded him, could not deliver their own people out of his hand (2 Chron. xxv. 15). From this point dates his declension. He acted pre.i:isely as his fat.her had done in forcibly silencing the prophets; and God, in return, gave him up to a reprobate mind for hie destruction. Prosperity tests a man's nature. '!'here a.re few who can carry the full cup without becoming haughty and God- forgetfuL-J. 0. Vers. 8-14:.-Tlie boastful, challenge, and its results. It is In the light of the facts narrated in the Book of Chronicles, but not alluded to here, that we are to read the story of .Amaziah's folly in his boastful challenge to Joaeh of Israel (cf. 2 Chron. XXV. 20). I. THE BOASTFUL CHALLENGE. 1. Its motives. It is not difficult to conceive the kind of influences which led Amaziah to give this challenge to Joash. (1) Naturally vain-glorious, he was greatly elated by his successes over Edom, and w~s an;i~iti~us to pose as a great military conqueror. How many wars have had their origin 1n no higher source! To gratify the vanity and ambition of individuals, or. th? lus~ of glory in nations, torrents of blood have been shed. (2) Israel was at this t1m? m a very humbled state, but showed signs of reviving. Amaziah probably thought 1t was .JH. XIV. 1-29.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. 2()3