John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen , etc.] This is to be connected with ( 2 Kings 13:4), the verses ( Kings 12:5,6), being to be read in a parenthesis, as in our version, and to be understood of the king of Syria, who left no more to the king of Israel, not of the people of the land, but of his army, than fifty horsemen, all the rest being either taken and carried captive by him, or slain: and ten chariots ; military chariots, with the men they carried: and ten thousand footmen ; foot soldiers; to so small a number was his army reduced through wars with the Syrians: for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing : as corn or chaff may be reduced to dust by too much threshing; or as mire and clay by treading on it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - It was the ancient honour of Israel that they were a praying people Jehoahaz, their king, in his distress, besought the Lord; applie himself for help, but not to the calves; what help could they give him He sought the Lord. See how swift God is to show mercy; how ready to hear prayer; how willing to find a reason to be gracious; else he woul not look so far back as the ancient covenant Israel had so ofte broken, and forfeited. Let this invite and engage us for ever to him and encourage even those who have forsaken him, to return and repent for there is forgiveness with him, that he may be feared. And if the Lord answer the mere cry of distress for temporal relief, much mor will he regard the prayer of faith for spiritual blessings.
Original Hebrew כי3588 לא3808 השׁאיר7604 ליהואחז3059 עם5971 כי3588 אם518 חמשׁים2572 פרשׁים6571 ועשׂרה6235 רכב7393 ועשׂרת6235 אלפים505 רגלי7273 כי3588 אבדם6 מלך4428 ארם758 וישׂמם7760 כעפר6083 לדשׁ׃1758
