II Chronicles 25: Amaziah's Rise and Fall
Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.
Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.
Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.
But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth–horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.
Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.
So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth–shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.
And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth–shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed–edom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.
And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
II Chronicles 25 recounts the reign of Amaziah, son of Joash, king of Judah. His story serves as a powerful, albeit tragic, illustration of the consequences of partial obedience and eventual apostasy. While he initially sought to do right in the eyes of the Lord, his heart was not fully committed, ultimately leading to his downfall. This chapter offers valuable lessons about the importance of wholehearted devotion, heeding God's warnings, and the dangers of pride and idolatry.
Partial Obedience and Initial Success (II Chronicles 25:1-4)
Amaziah began his reign at the age of twenty-five, and the chronicler notes that he "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly" (II Chronicles 25:2). This sets the stage for the inconsistencies that would mark his rule. He demonstrated obedience to the law by executing the assassins of his father, Joash, but spared their children, adhering to the Mosaic law which stipulated individual accountability (II Chronicles 25:3-4; Deuteronomy 24:16). This act of justice, though commendable, was overshadowed by the lack of complete devotion that would plague his reign.
Reliance on Foreign Troops and Divine Disapproval (II Chronicles 25:5-9)
Seeking to strengthen his army, Amaziah mustered the men of Judah and hired one hundred thousand Israelite warriors for a substantial sum of seventy-five hundred pounds of silver (II Chronicles 25:5-6). However, this decision displeased God, who had rejected the idolatrous northern kingdom of Israel. An unnamed prophet was sent to Amaziah, delivering a stern warning: "The LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites" (II Chronicles 25:7). "Ephraim," being a prominent tribe, often represented the entire northern kingdom. The prophet cautioned that incorporating these Israelite soldiers would lead to defeat, as God would cause Judah's forces to stumble (II Chronicles 25:8).
To Amaziah's credit, he heeded the prophet's warning and dismissed the Israelite mercenaries, trusting in the Lord's ability to provide victory (II Chronicles 25:9). The prophet assured him, "The LORD is able to give you much more than this." This serves as a powerful reminder that God does not need worldly assistance to bless and prosper His people. True strength lies in relying on Him alone.
Victory, Idolatry, and Rejection of Prophetic Counsel (II Chronicles 25:10-16)
After releasing the Israelite troops, Amaziah achieved victory against his enemies (II Chronicles 25:10-12). However, the dismissed Israelite soldiers, enraged at being denied the spoils of war, retaliated by raiding Judean towns and killing three thousand people (II Chronicles 25:13). This incident highlights the potential consequences of alliances with those who do not share a commitment to God.
Tragically, upon returning from battle, Amaziah brought back the idols of the people he had conquered and set them up as his own gods, worshipping them in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 25:14). This act of blatant idolatry ignited the Lord's anger. God sent another prophet to confront Amaziah's foolishness, asking, "Why have you sought a people’s gods that could not rescue their own people from you?" (II Chronicles 25:15). This question exposes the absurdity of idolatry, demonstrating that false gods are powerless and cannot offer true protection.
However, blinded by pride and emboldened by his recent victory, Amaziah rejected the prophet's rebuke and threatened him with death (II Chronicles 25:16). The prophet, in turn, foretold Amaziah's impending doom, sealing the king's fate. This illustrates the danger of hardening one's heart against God's warnings and the consequences of choosing pride over repentance.
Arrogance, Defeat, and Conspiracy (II Chronicles 25:17-28)
Instead of seeking God's wisdom, Amaziah sought foolish counsel that led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle (II Chronicles 25:17). Jehoash attempted to dissuade Amaziah, warning him of the futility of such an endeavor. He used a parable of a thistle and a cedar to illustrate the disparity in their power, urging Amaziah to stay at home and avoid disaster (II Chronicles 25:18-19).
The chronicler reveals that God orchestrated Amaziah's defeat because of his idolatry (II Chronicles 25:20). The Lord allowed Amaziah to be led by his stubbornness and overconfidence into a humiliating defeat at the hands of Israel (II Chronicles 25:21-24). The consequences were severe: Judah was routed, the temple treasures were plundered, and hostages were taken to Samaria.
After turning away from the Lord, Amaziah became increasingly unpopular in Judah, leading to a conspiracy against him (II Chronicles 25:27). He fled to Lachish, but the conspirators pursued him and assassinated him, mirroring the fate of his father, Joash. His body was returned and buried in Jerusalem. Amaziah's reign serves as a cautionary tale of how initial faithfulness can be undermined by a lack of wholehearted devotion, ultimately leading to tragic consequences. His story underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and unwavering commitment to the one true God.
Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.
Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.
Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.
But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth–horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.
Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.
So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth–shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.
And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth–shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed–edom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.
And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
II Chronicles 25 recounts the reign of Amaziah, son of Joash, king of Judah. His story serves as a powerful, albeit tragic, illustration of the consequences of partial obedience and eventual apostasy. While he initially sought to do right in the eyes of the Lord, his heart was not fully committed, ultimately leading to his downfall. This chapter offers valuable lessons about the importance of wholehearted devotion, heeding God's warnings, and the dangers of pride and idolatry.
Partial Obedience and Initial Success (II Chronicles 25:1-4)
Amaziah began his reign at the age of twenty-five, and the chronicler notes that he "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly" (II Chronicles 25:2). This sets the stage for the inconsistencies that would mark his rule. He demonstrated obedience to the law by executing the assassins of his father, Joash, but spared their children, adhering to the Mosaic law which stipulated individual accountability (II Chronicles 25:3-4; Deuteronomy 24:16). This act of justice, though commendable, was overshadowed by the lack of complete devotion that would plague his reign.
Reliance on Foreign Troops and Divine Disapproval (II Chronicles 25:5-9)
Seeking to strengthen his army, Amaziah mustered the men of Judah and hired one hundred thousand Israelite warriors for a substantial sum of seventy-five hundred pounds of silver (II Chronicles 25:5-6). However, this decision displeased God, who had rejected the idolatrous northern kingdom of Israel. An unnamed prophet was sent to Amaziah, delivering a stern warning: "The LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites" (II Chronicles 25:7). "Ephraim," being a prominent tribe, often represented the entire northern kingdom. The prophet cautioned that incorporating these Israelite soldiers would lead to defeat, as God would cause Judah's forces to stumble (II Chronicles 25:8).
To Amaziah's credit, he heeded the prophet's warning and dismissed the Israelite mercenaries, trusting in the Lord's ability to provide victory (II Chronicles 25:9). The prophet assured him, "The LORD is able to give you much more than this." This serves as a powerful reminder that God does not need worldly assistance to bless and prosper His people. True strength lies in relying on Him alone.
Victory, Idolatry, and Rejection of Prophetic Counsel (II Chronicles 25:10-16)
After releasing the Israelite troops, Amaziah achieved victory against his enemies (II Chronicles 25:10-12). However, the dismissed Israelite soldiers, enraged at being denied the spoils of war, retaliated by raiding Judean towns and killing three thousand people (II Chronicles 25:13). This incident highlights the potential consequences of alliances with those who do not share a commitment to God.
Tragically, upon returning from battle, Amaziah brought back the idols of the people he had conquered and set them up as his own gods, worshipping them in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 25:14). This act of blatant idolatry ignited the Lord's anger. God sent another prophet to confront Amaziah's foolishness, asking, "Why have you sought a people’s gods that could not rescue their own people from you?" (II Chronicles 25:15). This question exposes the absurdity of idolatry, demonstrating that false gods are powerless and cannot offer true protection.
However, blinded by pride and emboldened by his recent victory, Amaziah rejected the prophet's rebuke and threatened him with death (II Chronicles 25:16). The prophet, in turn, foretold Amaziah's impending doom, sealing the king's fate. This illustrates the danger of hardening one's heart against God's warnings and the consequences of choosing pride over repentance.
Arrogance, Defeat, and Conspiracy (II Chronicles 25:17-28)
Instead of seeking God's wisdom, Amaziah sought foolish counsel that led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle (II Chronicles 25:17). Jehoash attempted to dissuade Amaziah, warning him of the futility of such an endeavor. He used a parable of a thistle and a cedar to illustrate the disparity in their power, urging Amaziah to stay at home and avoid disaster (II Chronicles 25:18-19).
The chronicler reveals that God orchestrated Amaziah's defeat because of his idolatry (II Chronicles 25:20). The Lord allowed Amaziah to be led by his stubbornness and overconfidence into a humiliating defeat at the hands of Israel (II Chronicles 25:21-24). The consequences were severe: Judah was routed, the temple treasures were plundered, and hostages were taken to Samaria.
After turning away from the Lord, Amaziah became increasingly unpopular in Judah, leading to a conspiracy against him (II Chronicles 25:27). He fled to Lachish, but the conspirators pursued him and assassinated him, mirroring the fate of his father, Joash. His body was returned and buried in Jerusalem. Amaziah's reign serves as a cautionary tale of how initial faithfulness can be undermined by a lack of wholehearted devotion, ultimately leading to tragic consequences. His story underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and unwavering commitment to the one true God.