Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 14:14
And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.
14. and he took all the gold and silver ] The conquest appears to have been most complete. The Chronicler mentions the name of Obed-edom as the man who had charge at this time over the treasures of the house of the Lord.
and hostages ] R.V. the hostages also. As in Chronicles. There is no other mention in the sacred history of persons taken as pledges for the fulfilment of the conditions of a peace. This circumstance marks the occasion as of unusual character, and makes it clear that terms were exacted from Amaziah for which the king of Israel held some distinguished persons of Judah, perhaps sons of the king, as security till they were fulfilled.
and returned to Samaria ] Having so disposed the affairs of the southern kingdom as to secure the peace of his own, and probably having made it clear to the people of Judah that there was no hope for better days while Amaziah was their king.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This is the only distinct mention of hostages in the Old Testament. It would seem that the Oriental conquerors generally regarded the terror of their arms as sufficient to secure the performance of the engagements contracted toward them.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. And he took – hostages] hattaaruboth, pledges; from arab, to pledge, give security, c., for the performance of some promise. See the meaning of this word interpreted in Clarke’s note on “Ge 38:17“. It is likely that Amaziah gave some of the nobles or some of his own family as hostages, that he might regain his liberty and they were to get their liberty when he had fulfilled his engagements; but of what kind these were we cannot tell, nor, indeed, how he got his liberty.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Hostages; to assure their peaceable carriage towards him.
Returned to Samaria: he did not keep Jerusalem, nor seek to gain the possession and dominion of that kingdom; partly because he thought he could not keep it, considering the difficulty he found in keeping his own from such potent and near enemies as the Syrians were, and the great affection which all Judah bare to Davids house; and partly because God so inclined his heart, that he might make good his promise to David and his family.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the Lord,…. In 2Ch 25:24 it is added, “with Obededom”, who, and his family, had the care of them by lot, see 1Ch 26:15
and in the treasures of the king’s house; which were also spoiled and plundered:
and hostages; either such as the king of Judah had taken from Edom, as pledges of their fidelity, that they might not rebel; or which the king of Israel took of Judah, even sons of the princes, as the Targum, for security, that they would give him no more trouble:
and returned to Samaria; without attempting to bring the kingdom of Judah into subjection to him, which he might suppose he could not hold, and having enough to do with the Syrians, his avowed enemies.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) That were found.This expression seems to hint that there was not much treasure to carry off. (Comp. 2Ki. 13:18.)
Hostages.Literally, the sons of sureties. Having humbled the pride of Amaziah, Jehoash left him in possession of his throne, taking hostages for his future good behaviour. Similar acts of clemency are recorded of themselves by the Assyrian kings of the dynasty of Sargon.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Hostages Literally, sons of security. These were doubtless prominent men of Judah whom Jehoash demanded for the liberation of Amaziah. Having taken these to secure himself against further trouble with Amaziah he allowed the latter to remain in Jerusalem, where he continued to wear the title of king for fifteen years after the death of his conqueror.
Some have thought that on account of humiliation and repentance Amaziah was specially favoured by God, and spared so long after his defeat, but that Jehoash was suddenly cut off for his sacrilegious spoliation of the temple.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 14:14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.
Ver. 14. And he took all the gold and silver, &c. ] He took not the crown, as he might have done, as fearing he could hardly hold it, but, by reaching after it, might hazard all; for he well knew how fast affected the people generally were to the house of David.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
hostages. Hebrew sons of the securities. Occurs only here and in 2Ch 25:24.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
all the gold: 2Ki 24:13, 2Ki 25:15, 1Ki 7:51, 1Ki 14:26, 1Ki 15:18
and hostages: 2Ki 18:23, *marg.
Reciprocal: 2Ch 25:24 – all the gold Isa 36:8 – pledges
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
14:14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and {g} hostages, and returned to Samaria.
(g) That is, which the Israelites had given to them from Judah for an assurance of peace.