Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 14:26
For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, [that it was] very bitter: for [there was] not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
26. the affliction of Israel ] Occasioned by the inroads of the Syrians, who had not only conquered the lands on the east side, but also at one time some considerable portions on the west of the Jordan. (Cf. above 2Ki 13:3 ; 2Ki 13:7.)
for there was not any shut up, nor any left [R.V. adds at large ] nor [R.V. neither was there ] any helper ] For the change cf. 1Ki 14:10 note. The expression means that there was no one, great or small, young or old, to whom they could look for aid.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The affliction of Israel – That which the Israelites had suffered for two reigns at the hands of the Syrians 2Ki 10:32-33; 2Ki 13:3, 2Ki 13:7,2Ki 13:22.
There was not any shut up, nor any left – A phrase implying complete depopulation (see the marginal reference note; 1Ki 14:10), but here meaning no more than extreme depression and weakness.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. The Lord saw the affliction of Israel] It appears that about this time Israel had been greatly reduced; and great calamities had fallen upon all indiscriminately; even the diseased and captives in the dungeon had the hand of God heavy upon them, and there was no helper; and then God sent Jonah to encourage them, and to assure them of better days. He was the first of the prophets, after Samuel, whose writings are preserved; yet the prophecy delivered on this occasion is not extant; for what is now in the prophecies of Jonah, relates wholly to Nineveh.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It was very bitter; whereby he was moved to pity and help them, though they were an unworthy people.
There was not any shut up, nor any left: See Poole “Deu 32:36“; See Poole “1Ki 14:10“; See Poole “1Ki 21:21“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter,…. Being sorely oppressed by their enemies, especially the Syrians; and he was moved to have compassion upon them, and show mercy to them: for, there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel: they were in the most forlorn and helpless condition;
[See comments on De 32:36].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The higher ground for this strengthening of Israel in the time of Jeroboam was to be found in the compassion of God. The Lord saw the great oppression and helpless condition of Israel, and had not yet pronounced the decree of rejection. He therefore sent help through Jeroboam. without the article, and governed by (see Ewald, 293, a.), signifies very bitter, having taken the meaning of . This is the explanation adopted in all the ancient versions, and also by Dietrich in Ges. Lex. , verbatim from Deu 32:36, to show that the kingdom of Israel had been brought to the utmost extremity of distress predicted there by Moses, and it was necessary that the Lord should interpose with His help, if His people were not utterly to perish. : He had not yet spoken, i.e., had not yet uttered the decree of rejection through the mouth of a prophet. To blot out the name under the heavens is an abbreviated expression for: among the nations who dwelt under the heavens.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(26) Affliction.Better, oppression.
Bitter.So the LXX., Syriac, and Vulg. Better, stubborn, and so, inveterate, unyielding, enduring. (Comp. Deu. 21:18-20.) Targum, hard; Arabic, strong or violent.
For there was . . . left.Comp. Note on 1Ki. 14:10.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Not any shut up, nor any left On this idiomatic phrase, see 1Ki 14:10, note. Israel had become reduced to great extremities; the prisoner and the free seemed gone, and thus was fulfilled in them a prophecy of Moses. Compare Deu 32:36.
Nor any helper No God-sent deliverer, or “saviour,” (comp. 2Ki 13:5; 2Ki 19:25,) to effectually deliver them from the oppression of the Syrians. Joash had thrice smitten Syria, but as the dying Elisha prophesied, he secured no permanent victory.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 14:26 For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, [that it was] very bitter: for [there was] not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
Ver. 26. For the Lord saw, &c., ] sc., In the days of Jehoahaz, when, likely, Jonah was sent with the above said prophecy.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
not any shut up, nor any left = not any [place] strengthened or fortified. See note on Exo 23:5. Deu 32:36. 1Ki 14:10.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
saw the affliction: 2Ki 13:4, Exo 3:7, Exo 3:9, Jdg 10:16, Psa 106:43-45, Isa 63:9
not any shut: Deu 32:36, 1Ki 14:10, 1Ki 21:21
Reciprocal: 2Ki 9:8 – him that is shut up 1Ch 12:1 – while he yet Psa 106:44 – General Psa 107:39 – oppression Lam 1:9 – behold Hos 8:10 – for Amo 5:15 – the remnant
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 14:26-27. The Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter Whereby he was moved to pity and help them, though they were an unworthy people. They that lived in those parts of their country, of which their enemies were masters, were miserably oppressed and enslaved, and could call nothing their own: the rest, we may suppose, were much empoverished by the frequent incursions which their enemies made upon them, to plunder them; and were continually frightened with their alarms; so that there was none shut up or left, but both towns and country were laid waste and stripped of their wealth, and no helper appeared. To this extremity they were reduced in many parts of the country in the beginning of Jeroboams reign, when God, in mere pity to them, heard the cry of their affliction, (for no mention is here made of the cry of their prayers,) and wrought this deliverance for them by the hand of Jeroboam. Reader, is thy case piteous? Then take comfort from the divine pity. He has bowels of mercy, and is full of compassion! For the Lord said not that he would blot out the name, &c. That is, not yet: he had not yet declared this, as afterward he did by the succeeding prophets, though not in these very words, Hos 1:5-9. The decree was not yet gone forth for their utter destruction. If it be understood of the dispersion of the ten tribes, he did both say it and do it not long after: reprieves are not pardons. If of the utter extirpation of the name of Israel, he never said it, nor will ever do it: for that name still remains under heaven in the spiritual Israel, and will to the end of time.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:26 For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, [that it was] very bitter: for [there was] not any {m} shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
(m) Read 1Ki 14:10.