=15.= _the tents of cattle_] These words are so strange an expression that it is probable the text is corrupt. If so, the original reading is unknown, for the LXX. has the same reading as the Hebrew It adds a proper name, evidently intended as the name of an Arabian tribe, but this addition appears to be a gloss derived from a reading of the LXX. in xxii. 1. CHAPTER XV. =1‒15= (no parallel in Kings). THE PROPHECY OF AZARIAH THE SON OF ODED AND ITS SEQUEL. ¹And the spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: =1.= _Azariah the son of Oded_] is mentioned only in this passage. Compare xvi. 7, where a prophet (Hanani), also known to us only through Chronicles, delivers a rebuke to Asa. ²and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. =2.= _went out to meet_] Compare xix. 2. _if ye seek him_] compare 1 Chronicles xxviii. 9. Verses 3‒6 contain the reflections of the Chronicler himself or a glossator on the whole course of Israelite history. The wording is too vague and there are periods in the history too obscure to make it possible to determine the reference definitely. ³Now for long seasons¹ Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law: ⁴but when in their distress they turned unto the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. ¹ Or, _a long season_. =3.= _without a teaching priest, and without law_] The connection between these two is closer than the English suggests. “Law” (Hebrew _tōrah_) is properly “teaching, guidance.” A “teaching” priest (Hebrew _mōreh_) is one who gives “tōrah” or “guidance” on doubtful points of morality or ritual. Compare Malachi ii. 7. ⁵And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the lands. =5.= _vexations_] Rather, =afflictions=; compare Acts xii. 1, “to vex (Revised Version ‘to afflict’) certain of the church.” _of the lands_] The reference is probably to the Israelite territory only; compare xi. 23, xxxiv. 33; and 1 Chronicles xiii. 2 (margin). ⁶And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city: for God did vex them with all adversity. =6.= _nation against nation_] Apparently Israel is meant. In the civil strife of the days of the Judges, and again in the contentions of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, Israel seemed at times to be a collection of related but hostile tribes: compare Judges viii. 13‒17, ix. 26 ff., xii. 1 ff., xx. 12 ff. _vex_] Rather, =afflict=; see verse 5. ⁷But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack: for your work shall be rewarded. =7.= _be ye strong_, etc.] The prophet’s warning is continued in this verse.