2 Chronicles 28:14 Study Bible: So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the leaders and all the assembly.

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◄ 2 Chronicles 28:14 ►

So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly.

So the armed men
This phrase refers to the soldiers of Israel who had captured the people of Judah. Historically, this event occurs during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, who was defeated by the northern kingdom of Israel. The "armed men" are likely part of the Israelite army that had been victorious in battle. This reflects the ongoing conflict between the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, a recurring theme in the historical books of the Old Testament.

left the captives
The captives were from Judah, taken during the conflict with Israel. This act of leaving the captives is significant because it demonstrates a moment of mercy and obedience to prophetic instruction. The prophet Oded had confronted the Israelite army, urging them to release their captives to avoid further wrath from God. This act of releasing captives can be seen as a foreshadowing of the liberation and redemption themes found in the New Testament, particularly in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

and the plunder
Plunder refers to the goods and valuables taken during the conquest. In ancient warfare, taking plunder was a common practice, often used to enrich the victors and weaken the defeated. The decision to leave the plunder, along with the captives, indicates a significant act of repentance and acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the Israelites. This act aligns with biblical principles of justice and mercy, as seen in other scriptures such as Micah 6:8.

before the leaders and all the assembly
The leaders and assembly refer to the elders and representatives of the Israelite community. This public act of returning the captives and plunder signifies accountability and communal responsibility. It highlights the importance of leadership in guiding the people towards righteousness and obedience to God's commands. This scene can be compared to the New Testament church's emphasis on communal decision-making and accountability, as seen in passages like Acts 15.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ahaz
King of Judah who led the nation into idolatry and suffered military defeat.

2. Israelite Soldiers
The army of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who captured the people of Judah.

3. Captives
The people of Judah taken by the Israelite soldiers during the conflict.

4. Officials and Assembly
Leaders and representatives of the people who witnessed the return of the captives and plunder.

5. Prophet Oded
A prophet who intervened, urging the Israelites to release the captives, emphasizing God's displeasure with their actions.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience to God
The Israelites' decision to release the captives was an act of obedience to God's command through the prophet Oded. We must be attentive to God's guidance and act accordingly.

The Power of Repentance and Restoration
The release of the captives symbolizes repentance and the restoration of relationships. In our lives, we should seek to restore broken relationships and make amends where necessary.

The Role of Prophetic Voices
Oded's intervention shows the importance of listening to those who speak God's truth. We should be open to correction and guidance from spiritual leaders.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
The act of releasing the captives demonstrates mercy, a key Christian virtue. We are called to show mercy in our interactions with others.

Community Accountability
The involvement of the officials and assembly highlights the role of community in holding individuals accountable. We should foster communities that encourage righteous living and accountability.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the response of the Israelite soldiers to the prophet Oded's message demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's word?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of repentance and restoration in our personal relationships today?

3. How can we ensure that we are open to receiving and acting upon prophetic or spiritual guidance in our lives?

4. What are some practical ways we can show mercy to others in our daily interactions, reflecting the actions of the Israelites in this passage?

5. How can we create a community that encourages accountability and supports righteous living, similar to the role of the officials and assembly in this event?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 1:16-17
This passage calls for repentance and justice, similar to the actions taken by the Israelites in releasing the captives.

Matthew 5:7
Jesus' teaching on mercy reflects the merciful act of releasing the captives.

Galatians 6:1
Encourages believers to restore others gently, akin to the restoration of the captives to their homes.

Proverbs 21:3
Highlights the importance of doing what is right and just, as demonstrated by the Israelites' decision to release the captives.

Micah 6:8
Calls for justice, mercy, and humility, principles evident in the actions of the Israelites.

Sermons

Entering on a Royal Inheritance	W. H. Bennett, M.A.	2 Chronicles 28:14
Holy Influences Resisted Produce Increased Wickedness		2 Chronicles 28:14
Men Should be Educated to Reign	W. H. Bennett, M.A.	2 Chronicles 28:14
The Bad Son of a Good Father	C. Leach, D.D.	2 Chronicles 28:14
The Kind of Reign a Source of Anxiety to Parents	W. H. Bennett, M.A.	2 Chronicles 28:14
The Mysterious in Human Development	J. Parker, D.D.	2 Chronicles 28:14
This is that King Ahaz	T. Whitelaw	2 Chronicles 28:1-27
The Sending Back of the Captives - an Incident of the Israelitish War	T. Whitelaw	2 Chronicles 28:8-15
Divine and Human Pity	W. Clarkson	2 Chronicles 28:9-15

People

Ahaz, Amasa, Aram, Azariah, Azrikam, Ben, Berechiah, David, Edomites, Elkanah, Hadlai, Hezekiah, Israelites, Jehizkiah, Jehohanan, Johanan, Maaseiah, Meshillemoth, Oded, Pekah, Remaliah, Shallum, Tilgathpilneser, Timnah, Zichri

Places

Aijalon, Assyria, Beth-shemesh, Damascus, Gederoth, Gimzo, Jericho, Jerusalem, Negeb, Samaria, Shephelah, Soco, Syria, Timnah, Valley of Hinnom

Topics

Armed, Assembly, Captives, Congregation, Goods, Heads, Leave, Meeting, Officers, Officials, Plunder, Presence, Prey, Princes, Prisoners, Spoil

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Chronicles 28:1-27

5366 king

2 Chronicles 28:9-15

5246 captivity

Library

Costly and Fatal Help
'He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.'--2 CHRON. xxviii. 23. Ahaz came to the throne when a youth of twenty. From the beginning he reversed the policy of his father, and threw himself into the arms of the heathen party. In a comparatively short reign of sixteen years he stamped out the worship of God, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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