Jehoash took Amaziah king of Judah, &c. Amaziah's pedigree comes in here somewhat abruptly. The son of Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah Because perhaps he had gloried in the dignity of his ancestors, or now smarted for their iniquity. And came to Jerusalem Which tamely opened to him; probably because he demanded entrance in Amaziah's name, and with his consent. And brake down the wall of Jerusalem In reproach to them; and that he might, when he pleased, take possession of the royal city. Josephus says, that he drove his chariot in triumph through the breach. And he took all the gold and silver, &c. He plundered Jerusalem, and took away all that was valuable, spoiling both the house of the Lord, and the king's house, of all their treasures. And hostages To ensure their peaceable conduct. And returned to Samaria He did not keep Jerusalem, nor seek to gain the possession and dominion of that kingdom; partly, because he thought he could not keep it, considering the difficulty he found in defending his own from such potent and near enemies as the Syrians were, and the great affection which all Judah bore to David's house; and partly, because God so inclined his heart, that he might make good his promise to David and his family.
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 14:13
2 Kings 14:13-14
13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.