John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu king of Israel , etc.] The occasion of it was this, when Amaziah dismissed the hired soldiers of Israel they were displeased, and fell upon the cities of Judea from Samaria to Bethhoron, slew 3000 men, and took much spoil, ( 2 Chronicles 25:13), wherefore, when Amaziah returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, being elated with his victories, he sent the following message to the king of Israel, in order to revenge the injuries his soldiers had done; and perhaps retaining an old grudge for what Jehu, the grandfather of the king of Israel, had done to his ancestors, and it may be in hope of reducing the ten tribes to obedience to the house of David: saying, come, let us look one another in the face ; that is, in battle, as the Targum adds; it was a challenge to meet him in the field of battle, and fight with him, and try each other’s courage, and see who was the best man.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-14 - For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered muc from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we mee with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hea two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify an undervalue one another! Unholy success excites pride; pride excite contentions. The effects of pride in others, are insufferable to thos who are proud themselves. These are the sources of trouble and sin in private life; but when they arise between princes, they become the misery of their whole kingdoms. Jehoash shows Amaziah the folly of his challenge; Thine heart has lifted thee up. The root of all sin is in the heart, thence it flows. It is not Providence, the event, the occasion, whatever it is, that makes men proud, secure, discontented or the like, but their own hearts do it. (2Ki 14:15-22)
Original Hebrew אז227 שׁלח7971 אמציה558 מלאכים4397 אל413 יהואשׁ3060 בן1121 יהואחז3059 בן1121 יהוא3058 מלך4428 ישׂראל3478 לאמר559 לכה1980 נתראה7200 פנים׃6440
