He slew. — Rather, he it was that smote.
The valley of salt. — Comp. 2 Samuel 8:13. El-Ghôr, the salt plain of the Dead Sea, which Amaziah would traverse in marching against Edom.
Ten thousand. — The number slain in one conflict.
Selah. — Heb., the Sèlac, i.e., the crag. The Hebrew name of the famous rock-hewn town of Petra.
By war. — Or, in the battle. After the decisive engagement, Amaziah’s troops forced their way through the narrow defile leading to the Edomite capital, probably meeting no great resistance.
Joktheel. — A town of Judah bore this name (Joshua 15:38). The name probably means God’s ward, referring to the wonderful strength of the natural position of the town. Others explain, subjugated of God.
Unto this day — i.e., unto the time when the original document was written, from which the writer derived this notice.
The reduction of the capital implies that of the country. The defeat of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20, seq.) was thus avenged. Chronicles gives a more detailed account of the re-conquest of Edom, and its consequences (2 Chronicles 25:5-16). it is there related that Amaziah hired a large force of mercenaries from the northern kingdom, but sent them home again at the bidding of a prophet. On their way back they attacked and plundered certain of the cities of Judah. The fall of Selah was followed by a massacre of captives. The gods of Edom, which Amaziah carried off, proved a snare to him. (See the Notes on the passage.)