Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 13:23
And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.
23. And [R.V. But ] the Lord was gracious unto them ] Cf. for the sentiment, Mal 3:6, ‘I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.’
as yet ] The writer of Kings was living at the time of the captivity. He therefore knew that the grace and compassion had been shewn in vain, and that the kingdom of Israel had at last been utterly destroyed.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The writer regards the captivity of Israel as Gods casting them out of His sight (see 2Ki 17:18, 2Ki 17:20); and notes that this extreme punishment, though deserved, was by Gods mercy not allowed to fall on them as yet.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. And the Lord was gracious unto them] vaiyachon, he had tender affection for them, as a husband has for his wife, or a father for his own children.
And had compassion on them] vairachamem, his bowels yearned over them; he felt for them, he sympathized with them in all their distress: Therefore are my bowels troubled; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord, Jer 31:20.
And had respect unto them] vaiyiphen, he turned face towards them, he received them again into favour; and this because of his covenant with their fathers: they must not be totally destroyed; the Messiah must come from them, and through them must come that light which is to enlighten the Gentiles, and therefore he would not make an entire end of them.
Neither cast he them from his presence as yet.] But now they are cast out from his presence; they have sinned against the only remedy for their souls. They sit in darkness and the shadow of death; the veil is upon their face; but if they yet turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
From his presence, i.e. from the land of Canaan, to which the presence and public and solemn worship of God was confined.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the Lord was gracious to them,…. To Israel, notwithstanding their apostasy from him, and the idolatry of the calves they were guilty of:
and had compassion on them; being in oppression and distress:
and had respect unto them; looked upon them with an eye of pity and mercy:
because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; made so long ago he still remembered:
and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet; or suffered them to be carried captive into another land, as he afterwards did in the times of Hoshea.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) And the Lord was gracious.The verse is a remark of the compilers, as is evident from the style, the reference to the Covenant, and the expression as yet, or rather, until nowi.e., the day when he was writing, and when the northern kingdom had finally perished.
Had respect.Turned.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. As yet There was a tender sympathy which bound Jehovah to the covenant people with whose backslidings he had borne so long, and yet he shows compassion.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 13:23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.
Ver. 23. Because of his covenant. ] Whereby God had made himself a voluntary debtor to his people. Who might now well say, Non sum dignus, Domine, sed sum indigus, I am no way worthy of thy help, but I am in extreme need of it. And again, Ego admisi unde tu damnare potes me, sed non amisisti unde tu salvare potes me, a My destruction is of myself, but of thee is my help.
a August.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
And = But.
and had. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Lord: 2Ki 14:27, Exo 33:19, Exo 34:6, Exo 34:7, Jdg 10:16, Neh 9:31, Psa 86:15, Isa 30:18, Isa 30:19, Jer 12:15, Lam 3:32, Mic 7:18, Mic 7:19
had respect: Exo 2:24, Exo 2:25, 1Ki 8:28
because of his covenant: Gen 13:16, Gen 13:17, Gen 17:2-5, Gen 17:7, Gen 17:8, Exo 3:6, Exo 3:7, Exo 32:13, Exo 32:14, Lev 26:42, Deu 32:36, Neh 9:32, Psa 105:8, Mic 7:20, Luk 1:54, Luk 1:55, Luk 1:72, Luk 1:73
neither cast he: 2Ki 17:18, 2Ki 24:20, Psa 51:11, Mat 25:41, 2Th 1:9
presence: Heb. face, Gen 6:3
Reciprocal: Gen 4:16 – went Gen 21:17 – heard Lev 26:9 – for I Lev 26:44 – I will Jdg 2:18 – their groanings 1Ki 11:13 – for David 1Ki 20:13 – Hast thou 2Ch 12:7 – some 2Ch 36:15 – because Psa 102:20 – To hear Psa 106:45 – And he Hos 3:1 – according Hos 7:15 – I have Hos 11:8 – Mine
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 13:23. The Lord had compassion, and would not destroy them as yet The several expressions, of nearly the same import, used in this verse, call upon us to admire the triumphs of divine goodness in the deliverance of such a provoking people. He foresaw they would destroy themselves at last; but, as yet, he would reprieve them, and give them space to repent. The slowness of Gods processes against sinners must be construed to the advancement of his mercy, not the impeachment of his justice. Neither cast them from his presence as yet From the land of Canaan, to which the peculiar presence of God, and his public and solemn worship, were now confined.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as {m} yet.
(m) That is, until their sins were come to a full measure and there was no more hope of amendment.