2 Chronicles 13

2 Chronicles 13:1

IN the, &c.] 1 King. 15. 1, &c. See the Notes thereon.

2 Chronicles 13:3

set] Heb. bound together.

four hundred thousand] Both armies, being all of the children of Israel, amounted to twelve hundred thousand, and all of them valiant men: had they been as brethren united, they had been the greatest host we read of by expresse number assembled together in the field. See Chap. 14. 9. Indeed there is, in Davids time, mention made of fifteen hundred thousand, and threescore and ten thousand, that drew sword, besides Levi and Benjamin, which were not counted among them (1 Chronicles 21:5-6.) but these were not all drawn out into the field together. See on chap. 17. 14.

2 Chronicles 13:4

stood up, &c.] That he might be the better heard.

Zemaraim] A city of this name was in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:22. The city, and mount in it, might both be of the same name, and border on mount Ephraim.

2 Chronicles 13:5

gave the kingdom, &c.] See 2 Sam. 7. 12, 13, 16.

covenant of salt] Perpetuall, that perisheth not: for salt makes things last. See Numbers 18:19. See on Genesis 19:26.

2 Chronicles 13:6

rebelled against his lord] 1 Kings 11:26. See the Notes thereon.

2 Chronicles 13:7

children of Belial] See on 1 Kings 21:10.

was young] As a childe in discretion, foolish, Ecclesiastes 4. 13. and 10. 16. Isaiah 3:4. 1 Corinthians 14:20.

tender-hearted] Easily drawn this way and that way (Ephesians 4:14.) of no courage or magnanimity.

2 Chronicles 13:8

ye think] Heb. ye speak.

kingdom of the Lord] Of Judah, which the LORD hath reserved to Davids posterity, 1 Kings 11:13.

with you golden calves] Either they brought with them the golden calves into the camp (as 1 Samuel 4:5. See on 2 Samuel 11:11.) or else he upbraideth their idols to them, and their confidence in them.

made you for gods] 1 Kings 12:28.

2 Chronicles 13:9

Have ye not cast out, &c.] Chap. 11. 14.

after the manner of the nations] Not after Gods prescript, whereby none but Aarons seed should be priests: but as other nations have no succession of priests, so nor you.

to consecrate] Heb. to fill his hand. See on 1 Kings 13:33.

seven rams] The law required but two rams at the most (Exodus 29:15; Exodus 29:19.) but idolaters and hypocrites are ready in externall rites to exceed, Numbers 23:1. Micah 6:7. Mark 7:4.

2 Chronicles 13:10

the Lord is our God] In externall profession: for his heart was not upright, 1 Kings 15:3.

2 Chronicles 13:11

And they burn, &c.] Chap. 2. 4.

every morning, and every evening] Heb. morning and morning, evening and evening. See on 1 Samuel 3:3.

shew-bread] Leviticus 24:6.

2 Chronicles 13:12

God is with us for our captain] As Joshua 5:14. God will order and prosper the battell for us.

priests with sounding trumpets] According to the Law, Numbers 10:9. and Numbers 31:6.

2 Chronicles 13:13

an ambushment] Some of his souldiers to lie in wait secretly, that they might fall on them unawares, as chap. 20. 22. Joshua 8:4. Judg. 20. 37.

2 Chronicles 13:14

they cried] Both with inward servency for the LORDS help (as 1 Kings 22:32.) and also with outward clamour, to affright the enemy, as 1 Samuel 4:5. See v. 15.

the priests sounded] To put the LORD in minde of his promise (Numbers 10:9.) and to put courage into the souldiers.

2 Chronicles 13:15

smote Jeroboam] Affrighted and overthrew him and his army.

2 Chronicles 13:17

five hundred thousand chosen men] Yet there were but four hundred thousand (v. 3.) to execute this slaughter; so as they slew more then every one his man.

2 Chronicles 13:19

Beth-el] In this city was one of the golden calves set up, 1 Kings 12:29.

Jeshanah] Not far from Beth-el.

Ephraim] Called Ophrah, Joshua 18:23. in the tribe of Benjamin.

2 Chronicles 13:20

recover strength] Get again another army, to enter upon another battell.

strook him] This implieth, that Jeroboam died by a speciall hand of God, as 1 Samuel 25:38.

2 Chronicles 13:21

waxed mighty] By reason of that great conquest.

fourteen wives] Some of them in his fathers days.

2 Chronicles 13:22

story] Or, commentary.

Iddo] Chap. 12. 15.