John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle , etc.] An ironical expression; if thou wilt not be advised, take them with thee, and try what thou canst do; exert all thy courage, and use thy military skill, and mark the issue: God shall make thee fall before the enemy ; notwithstanding the number of thy troops, and those of thy auxiliaries; though some take them to be spoken seriously, and read the words, “but go thou”; that is, alone, without the hired troops, and fight boldly and courageously; or otherwise “God shall make thee fall”, etc. for God hath power to help and to cast down ; to help with a few, and to cast down with many; to help without the hired Israelites, and to cast down with them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - Amaziah was no enemy to religion, but cool and indifferent friend. Man do what is good, but not with a perfect heart. Rashness makes work for repentance. But Amaziah's obedience to the command of God was to his honour. A firm belief of God's all-sufficiency to bear us out in ou duty, and to make up all the loss and damage was sustain in his service, will make his yoke very easy, and his burden very light. When we are called to part with any thing for God and our religion, i should satisfy us, that God is able to give us much more than this Convinced sinners, who have not true faith, always object to self-denying obedience. They are like Amaziah; they say, But what shal we do for the hundred talents? What shall we do if by keeping the sabbath holy we lose so many good customers? What shall we do withou this gain? What shall we do if we lose the friendship of the world Many endeavour to quiet their consciences by the pretence tha forbidden practices are necessary. The answer is, as here, The Lord i able to give thee much more than this. He makes up, even in this world for all that is given up for his sake.
Original Hebrew כי3588 אם518 בא935 אתה859 עשׂה6213 חזק2388 למלחמה4421 יכשׁילך3782 האלהים430 לפני6440 אויב341 כי3588 ישׁ3426 כח3581 באלהים430 לעזור5826 ולהכשׁיל׃3782
