II Kings 14:26
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For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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. מאד מרה without the article, and governed by ישׂ אני (see Ewald, 293, a.), signifies very bitter, מרה having taken the meaning of מרר. This is the explanation adopted in all the ancient versions, and also by Dietrich in Ges. Lex. וגו עצוּר ואפס, 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. דבּר לא: 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.
Open source ↗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!
Open source ↗14:26-28 The Lord . . . used Jeroboam II: God saw his people’s helplessness and remained faithful to the covenant established with Israel’s patriarchs (13:23). • everything he did: The narrator hints at the extent of Jeroboam’s God-given power and prosperity. The Samaria ostraca also indicate the prosperity of the era. The prophecies of Hosea and Amos show that despite the prosperity during Jeroboam’s reign, the Israelites refused to turn to the Lord.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
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For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.
Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him because He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel.
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.
And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.
In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone!
This is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring calamity on you and consume your descendants; I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both slave and free.