Ch. 2 Chronicles 22:1-4 (= 2 Kings 8:25-27). The Reign of Ahaziah

1. the inhabitants of Jerusalem, etc.] This unusual formula is no doubt intended to call attention to the fact that the succession of the youngest son was unusual, possibly there was opposition to it.

with the Arabians to the camp] Render, with the Arabians of Mâzin; LXX., Ἄραβες οἱ Ἀλειμαζονεῖς. Cp. 2 Chronicles 14:15 (note on the tents of cattle).

2. Forty and two years old] LXX., ὢν εἴκοσι ἐτῶν agreeing nearly with 2 Kings 8:26, “two-and-twenty years old” (Heb. and LXX.).

daughter of Omri] So 2 Kings 8:26, but more correctly “daughter of Ahab” (2 Kings 8:18).

4. after the death of his father] This phrase suggests that he acted as regent in his father’s lifetime during his father’s two years’ illness.

5, 6 (= 2 Kings 8:28-29). The Alliance with Jehoram of Israel

5. smote Joram] R.V. wounded Joram (as 2 Kin.).

6. Jezreel] A city some distance to the north of Samaria, giving its name to the plain of Jezreel (Esdrelon). Ahab had a house there (1 Kings 21:1), probably a country house judging from the incident of Naboth’s vineyard. It is the modern Zer‘in, a town situated on a hill commanding a wide view towards the west and the east. Bädeker, pp. 242, 243.

because of the wounds] R.V. (with 2 Kin.) of the wounds. A.V. gives a misleading translation of a corrupt Heb. text.

Ramah] i.e. Ramoth-gilead.

7–9 (cp. 2 Kings 9:21; 2 Kings 10:13-14; 2 Kings 9:27-28). The Death of Ahaziah

Here the Chronicler gives a hasty (and not quite accurate) summary of the events recorded in 2 Kings 9, 2 Kings 10:11-14.

7. destruction] Rather, ruin, or downfall, LXX., καταστροφή. Ahaziah’s brethren fell with him (2 Chronicles 22:8).

by coming to Joram] R.V. in that he went unto Joram.

had anointed] Cp. 2 Kings 9:1-10.

8. And it came to pass, that when … and found … that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them] R.V. And it came to pass, when … that he found … ministering to Ahaziah, and slew them.

the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah] In 2 Kings 10:13, “the brethren (i.e. kinsmen) of Ahaziah.” The brethren (in the strict sense of the word) of Ahaziah had already been killed (2 Chronicles 22:1).

that ministered] R.V. ministering. According to 2 Kin. they were going to “salute the children of the king and the children of the queen” (probably a courtly expression for “salute the king and the queen”).

9. for he was hid in Samaria] R.V. now he was hiding in Samaria. Thus according to Chron. Ahaziah fled southward from Jezreel; while according to 2 Kin. his flight was westward to Megiddo (perhaps to be identified with Khan el-Lejjun, Bädeker, p. 227). The statement in Kings is more probably correct.

and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they] R.V. and they brought him to Jehu, and slew him; and they buried him, for they said. Again the account given in Kings is to be preferred, viz. that Ahaziah fled wounded to Megiddo (which had not yet transferred its allegiance to Jehu) and died there (of his wounds). His body may have been brought to Jehu.

had no power to keep still] R.V. had no power to hold.

10–12 (= 2 Kings 11:1-3). The Reign of Athaliah

10. But when] R.V. Now when.

destroyed] This is the reading of Kings and of the LXX. of Chron. The Heb. reads spake with, which is perhaps a euphemism; cp. the English “deal with.”

11. Jehoshabeath] In Kings “Jehosheba.” The two are forms of the same name; cp. “Elisabeth” (Luke 1:7) and “Elisheba” (Exodus 6:23), a similar pair.

in a bedchamber] R.V. mg., in the chamber for the beds, i.e. in a store room in which bed furniture was kept.

the wife of Jehoiada the priest] Cp. 2 Chronicles 23:1. This relationship is not given in Kings.

12. with them] i.e. with Jehoiada and Jehoshabeath. In Kings “with her.”

in the house of God] “The chamber for beds” (in the palace?) was only a temporary hiding-place.