Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXII Ahaziah's wicked reign, ver. 1 - 4. Being confederate with Joram, he is slain by Jehu, ver. 5 - 9. Athaliah destroys the seed royal, and usurps the kingdom, ver. 10 - 12. Forty two years - Some acknowledge an error in the transcribers of the present Hebrew copies, in which language the numeral letters for 22 and 42 are so like, that they might easily be mistaken. For that it was read 22 here, as it is in the book of Kings, in other Hebrew copies, they gather from hence, that it is at this day so read in divers ancient Greek copies, as also in those two ancient translations, the Syriack and the Arabick, and particularly in that most ancient copy of the Syriack which was used by the church of Antioch in the primitive times, and to this day is kept in the church of Antioch. The daughter - Of Ahab, Omri's Son. Grand - children are often called sons and daughters. His father - Who, while he lived, seduced his son himself, and made other evil counsellors unnecessary. Ahaziah - Who, tho' wounded, had made an escape, 2Kings 9:27. Chapter XXIII Jehoiada prepares the people and crowns the king, ver. 1 - 11. Athaliah is slain, ver. 12 - 15. The kingdom is reformed, ver. 16 - 21. Foundation - At the east gate, so called because it stood lower than the rest of the doors at the foot of the steps, by which they went up from the king's house to the temple. His sons - And Zechariah among the rest, whom afterwards he ungratefully slew, chap.24:21. Rejoiced - To see a rod sprung out of the stem of Jesse! To see what they despaired of ever seeing, a king of the house of David. Him - The Lord, as is expressed, 2Kings 11:17. Appointed - Or, as it is in the Hebrew, put the offices of the house of the Lord into the hand, that is, he restored the priests and Levites to the exercise of their office. Rejoiced, &c. - The generality of the people rejoiced, the rest were quiet and made no opposition. When the Son of David is enthroned in the soul, all therein is quiet, and springs of joy are opened.