Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
Ver. 17. Came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king.] Rabbi Solomon saith that they persuaded him that he was more than a man, and gave him divine honours: but this is not likely. In most fawning and flattering manner did these court parasites present themselves before him, suavia potius quam sana consilia atque remedia illi propinantes, persuading him that during the days of Jehoiada he had been a king without a kingdom, a lord without a dominion, a subject to his subjects, &c.: that he should do well to take knowledge of his great power, and to show it by granting to every man a liberty to worship God as he list, and where he best liketh, not tied to the temple, but doing his devotions in other places besides, as high places, groves, &c.
And the king hearkened unto them.] As fair words make fools fain, and princes' minds are easily altered for the worse, quando non deligunt quos diligant, sed consiliarios adhibent parasitos, sputa illorum instar canum lingentes, &c., when they give ear to flatterers.