2 Kings 13

2 Kings 13:1

IN the three and twentieth yeer] Heb. the twenieth yeer and third yeer. If this be taken of the beginning of the yeer; and the account made from the two and twentieth yeer; and the seventeen yeers be accounted current, so as he reigned but sixteen yeers compleat; and the thirty seventh yeer mentioned, v. 10. be taken compleat; then the account of this verse will very well stand with the account, v. 10. See a like account, 1 Kings 15:2. Such accounts are frequent in sacred Scripture. Or it may be that Jehoahaz setled his son Joash on the throne two yeers before his death, as Jehoshaphat did his son. See the Notes on chap. 8. 16.

2 Kings 13:2

followed] Heb. walked after.

sins of Jerobam] See the Notes on 1 Kings 16:19.

2 Kings 13:3

delivered them] Now some of the people of Israel in one place, and then other of them in another place.

all their days] Or all those days wherein Jehoahaz reigned. This verse gives the sum of the miseries of Israel under the Syrians.

2 Kings 13:4

he saw] with much pity and compassion.

2 Kings 13:5

a saviour] A deliverer; namely, Jehoash, v. 25. and Jeroboam his son, Chap. 14. 25.

they went out] The inhabitants of those cities which the king of Syria had taken.

dwelt] Quietly and securely.

in their tents] Or in their houses. See the Notes on 1 Kings 12:16.

as before time] Heb. as yesterday, and third day.

2 Kings 13:6

walked] Heb. he walked.

remained] Heb. stood.

the grove] Which Ahab made, 1 16. 33.

2 Kings 13:7

Neither] This depends on v. 4.

he] The king of Syria.

of the people] That were trained up to warre.

ten chariots] With their chariot-men.

like the dust by threshing] As over-much threshing may bruise and break corn, and make it like dust; so, by the over-great oppressions wherewith the Syrians oppressed Israel, they were exceedingly weakned, diminished, and made contemptible.

2 Kings 13:8

and his might] In his conflicts with the Syrians he might shew much valour, though he had no good successe.

2 Kings 13:9

slept] See 1 Kings 2:10.

in Samaria] See 1 Kings 16:29.

2 Kings 13:10

In the thirty and seventh] See the Notes on v. 1.

2 Kings 13:11

from all] Or from any, Psalms 103:3.

2 Kings 13:12

chronicles] Civill records.

2 Kings 13:13

slept, &c.] See v. 9.

2 Kings 13:14

wept] Through grief of the losse of such a prophet.

over his face] Leaning over the bed whereon Elisha lay.

O my father] See the Notes on chap. 2. v. 12.

2 Kings 13:15

Take a bowe] As a signe of warre.

2 Kings 13:16

Put thine hand] Heb. Make thine hand to ride.

Elisha put his hands] As a signe that the LORD would fight with him and for him; and to shew that good successe comes from God.

2 Kings 13:17

east-ward] Toward Syria.

The arrow of, &c.] This is a signe that the LORD will destroy Syria, and deliver Israel.

in Aphek] See the Notes on 1 Kings 20:26.

2 Kings 13:18

Smite upon the ground] To shew, that mans endeavour must be used in Gods work.

and stayed] By this is implied Joash his remisnesse and wearisomnesse in prosecuting that which he had well begun.

2 Kings 13:19

was wroth] To shew the offence he took at the kings negligence in a matter of so great consequence: for its probable that the king might have gathered from the prophets words that he should have smitten oftner then he did.

five or six times] Very often.

but thrice] To punish such negligence.

2 Kings 13:20

invaded] By incursions which they made into the land.

at the coming in] In the spring, when plants began to sprout, and cattell to encrease.

2 Kings 13:21

into the sepulchre] It appears that Elisha was lately buried, and his sepulchre yet open (or might soon be opened, being neer at hand) and they, being frighted, hastily cast the corps that they were about to bury into that sepulchre.

was let down] Heb. went down.

he revived] As a signe that the dead decayed state of Israel should revive and flourish again. As a signe also that believers, who by faith touch Christ, shall rise from death to life.

2 Kings 13:22

vexed] See v. 3.

2 Kings 13:23

had respect to them] Though most unworthy in themselves.

because of his covenant] This Moses pleads, Exodus 32:13.

with Abraham, &c.] And their feed, Deuteronomy 2:1.

from his presence] Heb. face. From all communion with him.

as yet] To try yet further whether at length they would turn to him: Gods long-suffering is herby set out; and intimating what did afterwards befall them, because they did not return, Chap. 17. 18.

2 Kings 13:25

took again] Heb. returned and took; Recovered. See Chap. 4. 35. Herein he shewed himself to be the saviour, mentioned, v. 5.

which he] Or his father Hazael, v. 3.

three times] According to the signe specified, v. 18, 19.