II Kings 14:25

He brought back (השׁיב), i.e., restored, the boundary of Israel from towards Hamath in the north, to the point to which the kingdom extended in the time of Solomon (Kg1 8:65), to the sea of the Arabah (the present Ghor), i.e., to the Dead Sea (compare Deu 3:17, and Deu 4:49, from which this designation of the southern border of the kingdom of the ten tribes arose), "according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through the prophet Jonah," who had probably used this designation of the southern boundary, which was borrowed from the Pentateuch, in the announcement which he made. The extent of the kingdom of Israel in the reign of Jeroboam is defined in the same manner in Amo 6:14, but instead of הערבה ים the הערבה נחל is mentioned, i.e., in all probability the Wady el Ashy, which formed the boundary between Moab and Edom; from which we may see that Jeroboam had also subjugated the Moabites to his kingdom, which is not only rendered probable by Kg2 3:6., but is also implied in the words that he restored the former boundary of the kingdom of Israel-On the prophet Jonah, the son of Amittai, see the Comm. on Jon 1:1. Gath-hepher, in the tribe of Zebulun, is the present village of Meshed, to the north of Nazareth (see at Jos 19:13).

This chapter continues the history of the succession in the kingdoms both of Judah and Israel. I. In the kingdom of Judah here is, 1. The entire history (as much as is recorded in this book) of Amaziah's reign (1.) His good character (Kg2 14:1-4). (2.) The justice he executed on the murderers of his father (Kg2 14:5, Kg2 14:6). (3.) His victory over the Edomites (Kg2 14:7). (4.) His war with Joash, and his defeat in that war (Kg2 14:8-14). (5.) His fall, as last, by a conspiracy against him (Kg2 14:17-20). 2. The beginning of the history of Azariah (Kg2 14:21, Kg2 14:22). II. In the kingdom of Israel, the conclusion of the reign of Joash (Kg2 14:15, Kg2 14:16), and the entire history of Jeroboam his son, the second of that name (Kg2 14:23-29). How many great men are made to stand in a little compass in God's book!

14:25 Israel and Judah apparently lived in harmony at this time so that both kingdoms prospered and recovered nearly all the territory that Solomon had held (see 2 Chr 26:6-15). • Lebo-hamath, known from Egyptian and Assyrian inscriptions, lay some forty-five miles north of Damascus in the Beqa‘ Valley. The extent of Jeroboam’s conquests testifies to the northern kingdom’s military power. Israel’s victories against the Arameans were possible because Aram had been weakened by earlier conquests of Adad-nirari III of Assyria. • Jonah is the famous prophet who pronounced the doom of Nineveh but was disappointed when God spared its repentant people (Jon 3:3–4:3).