(26) Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.--2Kings 12:21 : "Jozachar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer."Probably "Jozachar" is right, "Zabad" being an easy corruption of "Zachar," a normal contraction of Jozachar. Yet many MSS. of Kings read "Joza-bad." "Shomer" in Kings should probably be Shemer (1Chronicles 7:32; 1Chronicles 7:34), of which Shimri (1Chronicles 4:37) and Shimrith might be by-forms. Reuss is incorrect in asserting that the names of the mothers are substituted by the chronicler for the names of the fathers. Thenius even knows the reason why the chronicler has added the epithets "Ammonitess," "Moabitess." The writer wished to show that the idolatry into which he makes Joash lapse (?), was avenged by two sons of idolatrous wives (!). This is fancy determined by prejudice. The additions "Ammonitess," "Moabitess," indicate the use of another source than the canonical book of Kings; and the same may be said of the strikingly original account of the death of Zechariah (2Chronicles 24:17-22). What that source was the next verse declares, viz., "The Midrash of the book of the Kings."

Verse 26. - Zabad. The name Jozachar of the parallel is probably the correct word, and a copyist's corruption may with some plausibility be argued as the cause of the form Zabad in our text. The parallel omits the names of the mothers' nationality. Shimrith. The parallel has Shomer, probably an Hebraized form of the Moabitish name of our text.

24:15-27 See what a great judgment on any prince or people, the death of godly, zealous, useful men is. See how necessary it is that we act in religion from inward principle. Then the loss of a parent, a minister, or a friend, will not be losing our religion. Often both princes and inferior people have been flattered to their ruin. True grace alone will enable a man to bring forth fruit unto the end. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, being filled with the Spirit of prophecy, stood up, and told the people of their sin. This is the work of ministers, by the word of God, as a lamp and a light, to discover the sin of men, and expound the providences of God. They stoned Zechariah to death in the court of the house of the Lord. Observe the dying martyr's words: The Lord look upon it, and require it! This came not from a spirit of revenge, but a spirit of prophecy. God smote Joash with great diseases, of body, or mind, or both, before the Syrians departed from him. If vengeance pursue men, the end of one trouble will be but the beginning of another. His own servants slew him. These judgments are called the burdens laid upon him, for the wrath of God is a heavy burden, too heavy for any man to bear. May God help us to take warning, to be upright in heart, and to persevere in his ways to the end.And these are they that conspired against him, Zabad the son of Shimeah an Ammonitess,.... Called Jozachar, the son of Shimeah, 2 Kings 12:21,

and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess; called in the same place the son of Shomer.