Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 25:10
Then Amaziah separated them, [to wit], the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
10. in great anger ] R.V. in fierce anger.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Such a dismissal could not fail to arouse great indignation. The Israelites would suppose themselves dismissed because their good faith was suspected. On the consequences of their indignation, see 2Ch 25:13.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. They returned home in great anger] They thought they were insulted, and began to meditate revenge. See the notes on 2Kg 14:1-20, where almost every circumstance in this chapter is examined and explained.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Their anger was greatly kindled against Judah; because they were both disgraced by this rejection, and disappointed of that prey and spoil which they hoped to gain, whereas now they were sent away empty; for the one hundred talents probably were given to their officers only to raise men for this service; that sum being otherwise too small to be distributed into so many hands.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. separated them . . . the army .. . out of Ephraim . . . their anger was greatly kindled againstJudahAmaziah, who knew his position as the Lord’s viceroy,complied with the prophet’s counsel, and, consenting to forfeit thepurchase money of the Israelitish soldiers, discharged them.Exasperated at this treatment, they resolved to indemnify themselvesfor the loss of their expected booty, and so on their return homethey plundered all the towns in their way, committing great havocboth of life and property without any stoppage, as the king of Judahand his army had set out on their expedition (2Ki14:7).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then Amaziah separated them,…. From his army, among whom they were incorporated and ranked, to wit,
the army that was come to him out of Ephraim; which he had hired of the ten tribes, these he singled out:
to go home again; to their own country:
wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger; it being a great slight put upon them, and a reproach to them, to be thus dismissed, as they thought; and especially if they understood that it was because they were idolaters; and the rather as they might have hoped to have had their share in the plunder of the Edomites.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(10) To wit, the army.The troop (le prefixed, as sign of the accusative).
To go home again.To go to their own place.
Home in great anger.To their own place in a heat of anger (Isa. 7:4). Obviously the dismissed force would be incensed at treatment which seemed to indicate distrust of their honour, and robbed them of the possible fruits of victory. On their way home they revenged themselves by plundering and slaughtering in the cities of Judah (2Ch. 25:13).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 25:10. Then Amaziah separated them, to wit Amaziah, therefore, gave them to the army which had come to him, &c. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.1st, Amaziah’s reign we had before, 2 Kings 14. His lukewarm temper in religion, and his execution of his father’s murders, were there recorded; his expedition against Edom is here more at large described.
1. He collected his own forces, which we find greatly diminished under the last three reigns. To strengthen them, therefore, he hired 100,000 auxiliaries out of Israel.
2. God, by a prophet, rebukes him for desiring Israel’s assistance, whose forces, being under the divine displeasure, would weaken instead of strengthening his army. If he hopes to prosper, therefore, he is commanded to disband them immediately. God with fewer forces can cast down his foes before him; and these offensive auxiliaries, if retained, will but ensure his overthrow. Note; (1.) Multitudes profit nothing, when God is our foe. (2.) Connection with God’s enemies, is the way to bring his curse on our enterprizes.
3. Amaziah, with some reluctance, at last consents; unwilling at first to lose the hundred talents with which he had hired the Israelites, but encouraged by the promises of the prophet that he should be no loser by his compliance. Note; (1.) Worldly-mindedness is apt to raise many objections against the precepts of self-denial. (2.) They who are content to trust God, will never have cause to regret it. He will more than repay whatever he requires us to part with for his sake.
4. When he had dismissed the Israelites, he advanced into Idumea, and, having obtained a complete victory, slew 10,000 on the spot, and executed with terrible severity 10,000 captives that fell into his hands. What induced him to exercise this severity, if not cruelty, is not recorded.
5. The disbanded army highly resented the affront put upon them. Ungodly as they were, they could not bear to be treated as such; and in their return they miserably ravaged a part of Judah, and slew three thousand men, in revenge for their disappointment of the spoil of Edom. Note; (1.) Those who have no concern about religion, feel their pride hurt at being treated as irreligious. (2.) Though we suffer for what is well done, we ought not to be discouraged.
2nd, We have Amaziah’s idolatry. What infatuation, what sottish stupidity! To leave the service of the conquering Jehovah, for the idols of a vanquished foe. Here is,
1. The reproof given to the idolatrous king. Justly was God displeased, and sends his prophet to reason with him on his folly. Note; They who depart from God, act as unwisely as wickedly.
2. With indignation he receives the mild rebuke; insolently rejects the prophet’s warning as impertinent, bids him hold his peace, or threatens him with Zechariah’s fate. Note; (1.) The soul that hateth reproof is brutish. (2.) Prophets must not wonder, if their kindest notices are thus insolently returned.
3. The prophet, perceiving his labour fruitless, retires; leaving behind him, however, a solemn notice of that approaching ruin which Amaziah’s hardened obstinacy provoked. Note; They who comfort themselves in having removed their troublers, will quickly feel, by their punishments, how little cause they have to rejoice in their success.
3rdly, Amaziah’s pride and fall were before recorded 2 Kings 14. Urged on by evil counsellors instead of advising with God’s prophet, and justly hurried to his ruin as the punishment of his apostacy from God, he first was enslaved by the king of Israel, and then slain by a conspiracy of his own servants, from whom he in vain attempted to flee; they pursued him to Lachish, and there murdered him. Note, (1.) They who reject the counsel of God are justly given up to be deluded and destroyed. (2.) However wicked the instruments may be that are employed, God is righteous in his judgments.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ch 25:10 Then Amaziah separated them, [to wit], the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
Ver. 10. And they returned home in great anger. ] Better that wicked persons be offended than that we have any unnecessary dealings with them, since we are sure to carry out of their company either guilt or grief.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Amaziah: 1Ki 12:24
home: Heb. to their place
great anger: Heb. heat of anger, 2Sa 19:43, Pro 29:22
Reciprocal: 2Ki 14:9 – The thistle Isa 7:2 – is confederate with
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 25:10. Their anger was greatly kindled against Judah Because they were both disgraced by this rejection, and disappointed of that spoil which they hoped to gain, whereas now they are sent away empty; for the hundred talents, probably, were given to their officers only to raise men for this service.