Ch. 2 Chronicles 15:1-15 (no parallel in Kings). The Prophecy of Azariah and its Sequel

2. went out to meet] Cp. 2 Chronicles 19:2.

if ye seek him] Cp. 1 Chronicles 28:9.

3. for a long season] R.V. for long seasons. 2 Chronicles 15:3-6 contain the reflections of the Chronicler himself on the whole previous course of Israelite history. Azariah’s own exhortation is continued in 2 Chronicles 15:7.

without a teaching priest, and without law] The connexion between these two is closer than the English suggests. “Law” (Heb. torah) is properly “teaching, guidance.” A “teaching” (Heb. moreh) priest is one who gives “torah” or “guidance” on doubtful points of morality or ritual. Cp. Malachi 2:7.

5. vexations] Rather, afflictions; cp. Acts 12:1, “to vex (R.V. ‘to afflict’) certain of the Church.”

of the countries] R.V. of the lands. The reference is probably to the Israelite territory only; cp. 2 Chronicles 11:23 (R.V.); 2 Chronicles 34:33; and 1 Chronicles 13:2 (R.V. mg.).

6. nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city] R.V. they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city. Israel is meant. In the civil strife of the days of the Judges Israel appeared more than once as two nations destroying one another: cp. Jdg 8:13-17; Jdg 9:26 ff; Jdg 12:1 ff; Jdg 20:12 ff.

vex] Rather, afflict; see 2 Chronicles 15:5.

7. Be ye strong therefore] R.V. But be ye strong. The prophet’s warning is continued in this verse.

be weak] R.V. be slack.

8. and the prophecy of Oded the prophet] Some words have fallen out of the text. Read, Even the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded prophesied.

the abominable idols] R.V. the abominations; cp. 1 Kings 14:23-24; 1 Kings 15:12-13.

mount Ephraim] R.V. the hill country of Ephraim. The term describes the hilly country between the plain of Esdrelon and the territory of Benjamin.

that was before the porch] Cp. 2 Chronicles 7:7; 2 Chronicles 8:12.

9. the strangers with them] R.V. them that sojourned with them; cp. 2 Chronicles 10:17; 2 Chronicles 11:16-17; 2 Chronicles 16:1.

Simeon] The territory of this tribe lay in the South and it is natural to think that at the disruption Simeon followed Judah in allegiance to the house of David. It may be however that Simeon at first held aloof.

10. in the third month] In this month the Feast of Weeks (i.e. of wheat harvest) was held; Deuteronomy 16:9.

11. the same time] R.V. in that day.

the spoil] Cp. 2 Chronicles 14:13-15.

12. they entered into a covenant] Cp. 2 Chronicles 29:10; 2 Kings 23:3.

13. should be put to death] According to the Law; Deuteronomy 17:2-7.

14. shouting] The word (terû’âh) is used to denote a blast with the festal trumpets; see next note.

trumpets] The word (ḥăçôçrâh) means a special kind of trumpet used only for religions purposes; Numbers 10:1-10; 1 Chronicles 15:24 (note). Driver, Amos, pp. 144–6, gives an illustration derived from the Arch of Titus.

15. he was found of them] A fulfilment of the promise given in 2 Chronicles 15:2.

16–19 (1 Kings 15:13-15). Other Religious Measures of Asa

16. And also concerning Maachah] R.V. And also Maacah. “Maacah the daughter of Abishalom” is described as the mother of Abijam (Abijah) In 1 Kings 15:2 and as the mother of Asa in 1 Kings 15:10, although Asa is described as the son of Abijam (Abijah) in 1 Kings 15:8. Most probably Maacah was the grandmother of Asa but retained her position as queen-mother during two reigns, i.e. until removed by Asa.

from being queen] R.V. mg., from being queen-mother.

an idol] R.V. an abominable image. On 1 Kings 15:13 Robertson Smith (Religion of the Semites p. 188, note) suggests that the Asherah itself (cp. 2 Chronicles 14:3 note) was partly carved into a kind of image, “a grisly object.” For the present passage see next note.

in a grove] R.V. mg. (rightly as representing the meaning of the Chronicler) for Asherah, Asherah being here and in a few other passages (1 Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 21:7; 2 Kings 23:4; 2 Kings 23:7) to be translated as the name of a goddess, about whom however next to nothing is known. According to some scholars the Chronicler was mistaken in imagining that “Ashçrâh” was anything more than a common noun denoting the wooden symbol of a goddess. We must of course translate according to the meaning of the Chronicler whether he has fallen into an error or not. Cp. note on 2 Chronicles 14:3.

cut down her idol, and stamped it] R.V. cut down her image, and made dust of it.

the brook Kidron] On the east of Jerusalem, an unclean place; cp. 2 Kings 23:4, “in the fields of Kidron.” Bädeker, p. 96.

17. the high places] Heb. bâmôth. These were not necessarily places of idolatrous worship, but they were sanctuaries not authorised fey the Law; Deuteronomy 12:1-7.

Israel] Cp. note on 2 Chronicles 11:3.

perfect] i.e. “whole, undivided in its allegiance.”

18. the things that his father had dedicated] Probably spoils of war; cp. 1 Chronicles 18:11. The verse seems to say that Abijah had wowed a portion of his spoils, but that Asa first actually presented them in the Temple. May we not take the passage (which occurs also in 1 Kin.) as an indirect confirmation of Abijah’s victory (2 Chronicles 13)?

19. there was no more war] This statement can be reconciled with 1 Kings 15:16; 1 Kings 15:32 only by interpreting it broadly to mean that nothing serious occurred until the war with Baasha had been going on for several years.