THE LORD’S VENGEANCE, viz., THE SYRIAN INVASION AND SLAUGHTER OF THE PRINCES, AND THE MURDER OF JOASH (2 Chronicles 24:23-27). (Comp. 2 Kings 12:17-21.)
(23) At the end of the year. — At the running out of the year, viz., the year of the murder of Zechariah. (See for the phrase, Exodus 34:22.)
The host of Syria came up against him. — Comp. 2 Kings 12:17. Our passage seems to show that a small part (2 Chronicles 24:24) of the besieging army was detached, and sent against Jerusalem. (Comp. 2 Kings 18:14; 2 Kings 18:17.) The princes of Judah (2 Chronicles 24:17) at the head of a large force met the invaders in the field; but the Syrians routed them, and “destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people.” We may suppose that they made it their special aim to cut off the leaders of the Jewish host. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 18:30.) Thus the apostate princes were overtaken by the prophetic doom. (LXX., “the princes of the people among the people; “Syriac and Vulg. and Arabic omit “from among the people.” But comp. Isaiah 7:8.)
And sent all the spoil of them. — To Hazael, who was probably still at Gath with the main body of his troops.