Also in Judah ... was. — Rather, Moreover upon Judah was the hand of God: a phrase here used of a Divine influence for good. (Comp. Ezra 8:22.) Elsewhere the phrase has the sense of judicial visitation; e.g., Exodus 9:3.
The commandment... by the word of the Lord. — Comp. the like phrase, 2 Chronicles 29:15. The royal command was inspired by the word of the Lord through a prophet.