2 Kings 14:9

“And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah the king of Judah, etc.] By the return of his messengers: saying, the thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon; intending by this proverbial way of speaking to humble the pride of Amaziah; comparing him to a thistle or thorn, a low, mean, abject, weak, prickly, and troublesome shrub, and himself to a cedar, a tree high and lofty, strong, large, and spreading: saying, give thy daughter to my son to wife; signifying, that if in a peaceable manner he had desired to contract affinity with him, and so establish mutual friendship, he should have despised him as being as much below him as the thistle is below a cedar; and…”

“Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah--People in the East very often express their sentiments in a parabolic form, especially when they intend to convey unwelcome truths or a contemptuous sneer. This was the design of the admonitory fable related by Joash in his reply. The thistle, a low shrub, might be chosen to represent Amaziah, a petty prince; the cedar, the powerful sovereign of Israel, and the wild beast that trampled down the thistle the overwhelming army with which Israel could desolate Judah. But, perhaps, without making so minute an application, the parable may be explained generally, as describing in a striking manner the effects of pride and ambition, towering far beyond…”

“The Oriental use of apologues on the most solemn and serious occasions is well known to all, and scarcely needs illustration (compare marginal reference). It is a common feature of such apologues that they are not exact parallels to the case whereto they are applied, but only general or partial resemblances. Hence, there is need of caution in applying the several points of the illustration. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Saying, &c. - By the thistle, a low and contemptible, yet troublesome shrub, he understands Amaziah; and by the cedar, himself, whom he intimates to be far stronger than he, and out of his reach. Trod down - And with no less ease shall my soldiers tread down thee and thy forces. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 14:10”

“14:9-10 Jehoash’s reply came as a parable (see Judg 9:7-15). In essence, Amaziah had as much of a chance of defeating Israel in war as a thistle trying to make demands against a mighty cedar tree. Amaziah and Judah would be defeated as easily as a random step would crush the proud thistle.”

“The thistle: Jdg 9:8-15; Sa2 12:1-4; Kg1 4:33; Eze 20:49; The word choach, which is rendered here, and in Ch2 25:18; Job 31:18, thistle, in Sa1 13:6, thicket in Isa 34:13, bramble, and in Ch2 33:11; Pro 26:9; Sol 2:2; Hos 9:6 thorn, is probably the black thorn, or sloe tree, the prunus spinosa of Linneus, as the same word signifies in Arabic. There is a vast deal of insolent dignity in this remonstrance of Jehoash; but it has nothing conciliatory; no proposal of making amends for the injury his army had done to the unoffending inhabitants of Judah ( Ch2 25:10-13). The comparatively useless thorn, which may by chance lacerate the incautious passenger, is made the emblem of the house of Judah…”