6 He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour (d) out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
(d) That is, out of the ten tribes who had separated themselves before both from God and their true king.
He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel,.... The ten tribes, judging his own army not sufficient for his expedition against the Edomites he was meditating:
for one hundred talents of silver; which amounted to 35,300 pounds sterling, and according to Beckius (e) were about five florins and a half to each soldier.
(e) Not. in Targum in loc.
He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour . . . for an hundred talents of silver--This sum was paid into the treasury of Jehoahaz--not given as bounty to the mercenaries who were obliged to serve at the sovereign's call; their remuneration consisting only in the booty they might obtain. It was about £50,000 sterling, being 10s. per man, including officers--a very paltry pay, compared with the bounty given for a soldier in this country. But it must be remembered that in ancient times campaigns were short and the hazards of the service comparatively small.
*More commentary available at chapter level.