81
The existence of this "sacred fishpond" not only explains the narrative, but seems to me a remarkable confirmation of
it. Such sacred "ponds," dedicated to Atergatis, Astarte, the Venus that rose from the sea, are found in all places where
the goddess was adored according to ancient Hittite and Phoenician rites (comp. Conder, Heth and Moab, p. 64).
82
See Vol. 5.
83
Thenius renders the name by "the liberated" - our Francisca.
84
See Vol. 5.
85
Keil and Ewald suggest that the Edomites had taken part in the expedition of Ammon and Moab against Judah (2
Chronicles 20); Thenius supposes that the reigning family of Edom had died out, and that Jehoshaphat had taken
advantage of the disputes for the succession, to re -assert the supremacy of Judah. But all these are mere conjectures.
86
Thus correctly, and not as in our A.V. There seems to have been "a book" or "chronicles" "of the kings of Judah and
Israel," which is frequently referred to either by that name (2 Chronicles 16:11; 25:26; 28:26), or as " the book of the
kings of Israel and Judah" (2 Chronicles 27:7; 35:27; 36:8), or as "the book of the kings of Israel" (2 Chronicles 20:34)
or "the words ["acts"?] of the kings of Israel" (2 Chronicles 33:18) The term Israel in the last two cases is taken in the
wider sense as embracing Judah and Israel. All these names represent one work, into which, among others, "the words"
or "chronicles" of Jehu, the son of Hanani, were incorporated.
87
See Vol. 5.
88
We mark here the organic connection of the Deuteronomic legislation with the Book of Exodus
89
Rabbinic Law has always made a distinction between these "walled cities" - dating, it was supposed, from the
original occupation of the land - and other towns.
90
There is nothing in any way inconsistent either with the Mosaic legislation or this later institution of Jehoshaphat in
the appointment by David of Levites to be judges (1 Chronicles 23:4; 26:29). For it is not anywhere said that the
Levites were the only judges.
91
The expression here is peculiar, and recalls Exodus 18:20, where the word is rendered (in the A.V.) "teach."
92
Perhaps the same as he who is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:11.
93
This is the correct reading, and not "the Ammonites," as in the A.V. nor yet, as has sometimes been suggested: "the
Edomites." The Meunites were probably a tribe inhabiting Arabia Petraea; no doubt the same as those called Meunim
in 1 Chronicles 4:41 (rendered in our A.V. by "habitations"). Comp. 2 Chronicles 26:7.
94
By a copyist's error the Hebrew text has sra (Syria ) instead of sda (Edom). It could not have been from "Syria," and
the d of the one would be easily misread as r .
95
Canon Tristram, Land of Palestine, pp. 284, 285.
96
There were other and much deeper grounds for confining the sacrificial services to the Aaronic priesthood. But this
lower consideration should also be noticed as of interest and importance.
97
Gave them counsel. The expression indicates a preponderance or lead on the part of the king. Compare the same
expression in 2 Kings 6:8. This, rather than as in the A.V., or even the R.V. (ver. 21.)
98
It seems to me most likely that these were the ordinary Levite-singers and priests, although a different inference has
been drawn from the absence of the article before "singers."