The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 309

by-and-by, find it h&rder to de&l in such fashion with Jehovah himself. "Hoprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: reprove & wise man, and he will love theo" (Prov, ix. 8). Amaziah's conduct showed he was a fool (Prov. xiii. I)-one of those that "hate him who reproveth in the gato" (Amos v. 10). 4. It foreshadowed his ultimate fall. It revealed to the prophet that God had determined to destroy him-moro especially when it was followed by obstinate refusal of the Divine warning. It is I\ bad sign when faithful admonition is followed by the hardening rather than tho soft- ening of the admonished-when it confirms in sin rather than leads to repentance. Quem deus 'UUlt perdere prius dementat. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Prov. xxix. I). Learn: 1. The danger of prosperity in turning away the heart from God. 2. The need of constantly guarding against temptation. 3. The complete absurdity of idolatry. 4. The certainty that idol-worshippers and idol-worship shall perish.-W. Vers. 17-24.-~ battle of Beth-sheme,sh; or, the downfall of a boaster. I. THE OBJECT OF THE BATTLE. 1. The object of its promoter, .Amaziah. (1) Perhaps revenge; to punish the Israelitish sovereign for the sins of his subjects (ver. 13)-a principle of action on which man cannot always with safety proceed, though God may. Revenge, sweet to the natural heart (Jer. x.x. 10), was forbidden under the Law (Lev. xix. 17, 18), and is absolutely inconsistent with the gospel (Rom. xii. 19). "Men revenge themselves out of weakness because they are offended, because they are too much influenced by self-love." This was seemingly the case with Amaziah. "A great soul overlooks and despises injuries; a soul enlightened by grace and faith leaves the judg- ment and revenge of them to God" (Cruden). (2) Possibly ambition; in the hope of reducing the northern kingdom to subjection. In this hope (Josephus,' Ant.,' ix. 9. 2) he was probably coo.fumed by his previous success over the Edomites (ver. 14). Ambition, easily excited in the breasts of the weak, is always difficult to allay even by the wills of the strong. Wherever it exists, it is like the horse-leech's two daughters, which cry, "Give, give ! " like the grave and the barren womb, the dry earth and the fire, which never say, "It is enough" (Prov. xx.x. 15, 16). It commonly proves too imperious even for men of iron will, while weaklings like Amaziah it blows to destruc- tion with a slight puff. 2. The object of its Director, God. If Amaziah had an aim in seeking a pitched battle with Joash King of Israel, so had Jehovah an aim in allowing him and Joash to try conclusions on the field of war. If Amaziah meant to punish Joash., Jehovah meant to punish Amaziah: which of the two, the King of Judah or the King of kings, was the more likely to succeed in accomplishing his object, it required no prophet to foretell. So in mundane affairs, gen_erally, "man proposes," but " God disposes." Meo, as free agents, are allowed to scheme and plan as they please, while God worketh all things according to the counsel of his will. Man often fails in his purposes, Jehovah never (Job x:riii.13; Ps. cxv. 3; Isa. xlvi. 10, 11; Dan. iv. 35; Eph. i 11). II. THE PBELllllllABIES TO THE BATTLE. 1. .Amaziah's challenge to Joash. (1) Deliberately offered. He acted neither in a hurry nor on his own responsibility, but at leisure and after consultation with his privy councillors and field-marshals. This only made the matter worse. It shows what wretched advisers the king had, and how .set the king's heart was upon the war. Jehoshaphat had been too late in calling in Jehovah to the council of war at Samaria ( eh. xviii. 4); Amaziah neglected calling him in at all. The last persons a king or parliament should apply to for advice when deliberating on the question of peace or war, are the idlers about court and the oflicer11 in a barracks. (2) Arrogantly expressed. Euphemistically phrased, "Come, let us look one another in the face," meaning " Come, let us measure strength," or "cross swords with one another;" this is one of those hypocritical formulas with wjiich the world tries to hide from itself the wickedness of its evil deeds. Amaziah's \politely worded message was an insolent challenge to the King of Israel to meet himron the field of war. (3) Fittingly answered. Amaziah's insolence had silenced the prophet (ver. 16); he was now to find that Joash would not so meekly submit to his imperti- nence. It may be proper for good men not to render railing for railing (1 Pet. iii. !J), but it is not to be lamented when vainglorious boasters are set down and fools answered a.c.-.:urding to their folly (Prov. x:x:vi. 5). 2. Joash's response to .Amaziah. 'l'his, which on. xxv. 1-28.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 311