Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 18:33
And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
33. And a certain man drew a bow ] Render, But a certain man had drawn a bow. God had already brought about that which the Syrians were labouring to perform.
at a venture ] Better, as mg., in his simplicity, i.e. without knowing that he was aiming at Ahab. Cp. 2Sa 15:11.
between the joints of the harness ] Probably between the breastplate (or coat of mail) and the appendages to it; the wound would be in the lower part of the body.
that thou mayest carry me ] R.V. and carry me (so 1 Kin.).
wounded ] R.V. sore wounded (so 1 Kin., R.V.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2Ch 18:33
And a certain man drew a bow at a venture.
The venturous aim
Now I would have you notice particularly the words: A certain man drew a bow at a venture. We take it that this was no distinguished warrior among the army of the Syrians, but simply one of the ordinary archers. He little thought that to him was the task committed of slaying the enemy of God and the king of His own nation. At a venture he drew his bow, or, in the words of the Revised Version, as given in the margin, In his simplicity–that is, never supposing at whom he was aiming the dart. We may be for year after year fighting the Lords battles, and seeking after some offender above other offenders, some Ahab in disguise; but our efforts shall in the end be rewarded with success–we may have mistaken some conspicuous fault as manifest as were the gorgeous robes of Jehoshaphat for the sin that doth so easily beset, bringing a host of others in its train; but at length Gods Spirit shall guide our words to the weak place in that souls armour. Some word spoken with no special purpose, perhaps in season, perhaps out of season, shall open the wound that means death to that besetting sin. But if what we have said applies to the case of those individual souls, the same rule holds good also as regards our pulpit ministrations. When we preach the Word we do not know who may be present before us; probably many faces are familiar to us, but we cannot see the inmost soul; we know not what has passed in the life of any single person since last we spoke. Therefore, to a great extent, our bow must be ever drawn at a venture. (J. Nepleton.)
A bow drawn at a venture
Mr. Spurgeon was wont to relate the following striking cases of drawing the bow at a venture: I supposed the case of a young man who had got into fast company, and once there meant to have his fling unfettered; so was on the eve of starting to India, in order to escape the restraint of a godly, widowed mothers influence. I pointed to him, and pleaded with him to retrace his steps ere yet he had broken his praying mothers heart. At the close of the Monday evening prayer-meeting a young man was shown into my room by William Olney. As soon as alone with me he wished to know who had informed me as to his movements. He could scarcely believe me when I told him I had received no information concerning him, and did not even know his name. The same week, after the Thursday evening service, another young man wished to see me alone; wanted to know who had been telling me about him. I asked, What about him? About his fast life, and his intention to leave the country and escape his praying mothers influence? He had been very distressed ever since. I pointed him out and appealed to him on Sunday evening; he wished to see me about it, but could not come on Monday evening as he had intended. But, said he, there is one mistake you made, Mr. Spurgeon; you told the people I was going to India, and it is China I am booked for.
Gospel archery
I. The hearts of the unsaved are encased in harness.
1. Indifference.
2. Pleasure.
3. Worldliness.
4. Religious formality.
II. Having these hearts for a mark, the gospel bow must be drawn. At some must be shot the arrows of–
1. Divine goodness.
2. Divine threatenings.
3. Divine love. (R. Berry.)
.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 33. A certain man drew a bow] The Targum tells us who it was. “Now, Naaman, the captain of the host of the great king of Syria, drew a bow against him, (that the prophecy of Elijah the Tishbite, and of Micaiah the son of Imla, might be fulfilled,) and smote the king of Israel between the heart and the caul of the liver, through the place where the coat of mail is joined.” 2Kg 5:1 for this tradition.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
[See comments on 2Ch 18:2].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(33) Drew a bow.With the bow.
At a venture.See margin, and comp. 2Sa. 15:11, where a similar phrase occurs, which Gesenius interprets without thought of evil design. The LXX. , with good aim, is a bad guess. Syriac, innocently straight before him. But the explanation of Rashi seems best: without knowing why he chose that particular man to shoot at.
And smote.See on 2Ch. 18:23.
Between the joints of the harness.Or, breastplate. So Syriac, between the division of his mail; the LXX. has in the midst of the lungs and breast:; Vulgate, between the neck and shoulders; both mere guesses.
That thou mayst carry (literally, bring) me out.Kings, and bring me out.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 18:33 And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
Ver. 33. Between the joints of the harness. ] The hand of Heaven carrying the arrow to that very place. As when God will save a man, a book in his bosom, the money in his purse, the buckle of his girdle shall preserve him from the deadly thrust, or shot.
For I am wounded.
“ E F . ”
His “sin had now found him out”; and, as stout hearted as he was, death seized him. For,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
at a venture = in his innocence, or ignorance.
of the harness = of the armour.
that thou mayest = and.
wounded = sore wounded.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a certain man: 1Ki 22:34
at a venture: Heb. in his simplicity, 2Sa 15:11
between the: etc. Heb. between the joints and between the breast plate, The shiryon, in Syriac, sheryono, seems to have covered both the back and breast of the warrior, and was consequently not properly a breast-plate, but a coat of mail or corslet. The corslet was made of flax or of wool woven very thick, of ox-hide, of brass, or of iron. The metallic corslet consisted not of solid piece, but of scales, hooks, or rings, connected like the links of a chain, that the warrior might move with greater ease. It was between the joints of this harness that Ahab received his mortal wound. 1Ki 22:34, 1Ki 22:35
wounded: Heb. made sick, 2Ch 35:23
Reciprocal: 1Ki 20:42 – thy life shall go 2Ch 18:11 – all the prophets 2Ch 18:16 – as sheep