Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 12:21
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
21. For Jozachar [R.V. Jozacar ] the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer ] In 2 Chron. the names of the conspirators are given as ‘Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shemrith a Moabitess’. Between Zabad and Zacar, the abbreviated form of Jozacar, it is easy to see how a mistake might arise from the similarity of the Hebrew letters. The Chronicler who mentions the nationality of the mothers gives their names both in the feminine form. In Kings the last two letters from (Shemrith) have fallen out and so the name has become (Shomer). Although these names are without doubt historical it is very remarkable (as Thenius points out) how when they are translated they recall Zechariah’s last words ‘The Lord look upon it and require it’. For they signify ‘ Jehovah-remembers ’, the son of ‘ Hearer; ’ and ‘ Jehovah-gives ’, the son of ‘ Watcher ’.
and they buried him with his fathers ] i.e. In the city of David, but as the Chronicler records, not in the sepulchres of the kings. The words of the Chronicler about the ‘greatness of the burdens’ laid upon Jehoash refers to the many prophetic oracles which were uttered against him in consequence of his evil deeds. Cf. for that sense of the word ‘burden’ Isa 13:1, and many other passages of that prophet. On the margin R.V. in such cases, gives ‘oracle concerning’.
and Amaziah his son ] The Chronicler (2Ch 24:27) speaks of the ‘ sons of Jehoash’; we know nothing however of any son but Amaziah, though it is said (2Ch 24:3) ‘Jehoiada took for Jehoash two wives, and he begat sons and daughters’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. For Jozachar] This person is called Zabad in 2Ch 24:26; and Shimeath his mother is said to be an Ammonitess, as Jehozabad is said to be the son, not of Shomer, but of Shimrith, a Moabitess.
They buried him with his fathers in the city of David] But they did not bury him in the sepulchres of the kings; this is supposed to express the popular disapprobation of his conduct. Thus ended a reign full of promise and hope in the beginning, but profligate, cruel, and ruinous in the end. Never was the hand of God’s justice more signally stretched out against an apostate king and faithless people, than at this time. Now Hazael had a plenary commission; the king, the nobles, and the people, were food for his sword, and by a handful of Syrians the mighty armies of Israel were overthrown: For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the Lord delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God, 2Ch 24:24. Thus, as righteousness exalteth a nation, so sin is the disgrace and confusion of any people. Sin destroys both counsel and strength; and the wicked flee when none pursue.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Jozachar, called also Zabad, 2Ch 24:26. Silomer, called Shimrith, 2Ch 24:26; except Shomer be the fathers name, and Shimrith the mothers.
With his fathers, i.e. in the same city, but not in the same royal sepulchre, 2Ch 24:25.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath,…. Said to be an Ammonitess, and this man’s name Zabad, 2Ch 24:26,
and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants; who is said in the same place to be the son of Shimrith a Moabitess:
these smote him, and he died; justly did he fall by the hands of such persons for his idolatry:
and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David; but not in the sepulchres of the kings, because of his idolatry and murder of a priest of the Lord:
and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead; the conspirators not seeking the kingdom, but vengeance on him for his sins, which, whether right in them to do, was suffered by the Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(21) For Jozachar . . . smote him.Rather, And Jozachar . . . it was that smote him. The names are different in Chronicles. (See the Note on 2Ch. 24:26.) Thenius notices the curious coincidence of the names as given here with the last words of the murdered Zechariah, Jehovah see, and avenge! The prophet was avenged by Jozachar (Jehovah remembers), the son of shimeath (hearing), and Jehozabad (Jehovah bestows), the son of Shomer (watcher).
With his fathersi.e., in the city of David; but not in the sepulchres of the kings 2) Chron. 24:25).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. Buried him with his fathers But not, says 2Ch 24:25, “in the sepulchres of the kings.” For a fuller account of Joash’s history, see the parallel history in Chronicles.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
READER I would wish for myself, and, if the Lord pleases, may he graciously make it profitable to you also, in the review of this character of Joash, to consider what instructions we may gather from it considered with an eye to gospel times, and to the blessed redemption believers have in the Lord Jesus. When we see what a sad conclusion the life of Joash had, to so promising a beginning, it ought to induce inquiry into the circumstances of spiritual declensions, and the sad cause why it is that some who seemingly set out fair for the kingdom, flag and tire by the way. The apostle Paul, as the penman of the Holy Ghost, hath plainly assigned the reason in his third chapter to the Church of the Galatians; where he calls them foolish Galatians, because having begun in the Spirit, they afterwards thought to he made perfect by the flesh. When souls shift the foundation of their faith and hope, and leave their first love, leave Jesus, and seek a partial justification before God in their own works, they soon find leanness in their souls. Reader! I charge it upon you, if you know anything of Christ, desire to know nothing but Christ. Make him what he really is, the Alpha and Omega of your salvation; the Finisher as well as the Author of it; and you will do well. Did you not renounce everything of your own, and what was in yourself, when you first came to Jesus, and would you now take somewhat of your own to purchase Christ? Did Jesus give life to your soul at the first, when by his Spirit he quickened you; and must he not give life still? Having begun (saith the apostle) in the Spirit are you so foolish as to seek to be made perfect in the flesh? Oh! thou blessed, blessed Source of all our hopes and joys; thou precious Jesus, be thou all in all to the souls of thy people! Here, Lord, I beg once for all totally to renounce myself, and as I first came to thee guilty, poor, and wretched; so, Lord, I would come still. Blessed be thy name, for that thou hast taught me to know the plague of my own heart, and to see and he convinced that in myself, after all thou hast bestowed upon me, I am no more worthy now, than when thou didst pass by and beheld me in my blood, and bid me live. Yes! dearest Lord, I desire to lie low in the dust before thee in token of my nothingness and unworthiness, while hanging upon thee the full assurance of my salvation. And, Lord, let it be my daily desire to exercise every act of faith upon thee, to undertake nothing but in thy strength, and to seek acceptance only in thy blood and righteousness. And oh! may I know thee with increasing joy under that blessed character whereby thou art revealed to thy people, as the Lord our righteousness; being convinced that thou art made of God, to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that all my glorying may be in the Lord.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 12:21 For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
Ver. 21. For Jozachar the son of Shimeath. ] An Ammonitess.
And Jehozabad the son of Shomer.
And they buried him with his fathers.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jozachar: This person is called Zabad in Chronicles, and Shimeath his mother is said to be an Ammonitess; and Jehozabad is said to be the son, not of Shomer, but of Shimrith, a Moabitess. Who the fathers of these two persons were we know not; they were probably foreigners and aliens. Some suppose that they belonged to the king’s chamber, and therefore could have easy access to him. 2Ch 24:26, Zabad
Shomer: 2Ch 24:26, Shimrith
Amaziah his son: 2Ch 24:27
Reciprocal: 2Ki 9:28 – General 2Ki 14:5 – his servants 2Ki 14:19 – they made 2Ki 14:20 – he was buried