2 Chronicles - Chapter 25

2 Chronicles 25.1 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. 2 Chronicles 25.2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. 2 Chronicles 25.3 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father. 2 Chronicles 25.4 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. 2 Chronicles 25.5 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. 2 Chronicles 25.6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. 2 Chronicles 25.7 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. 2 Chronicles 25.8 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. 2 Chronicles 25.9 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. 2 Chronicles 25.10 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. 2 Chronicles 25.11 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. 2 Chronicles 25.12 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. 2 Chronicles 25.13 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 Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil. 2 Chronicles 25.14 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. 2 Chronicles 25.15 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? 2 Chronicles 25.16 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. 2 Chronicles 25.17 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. 2 Chronicles 25.19 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? 2 Chronicles 25.20 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. 2 Chronicles 25.21 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 2 Chronicles 25.22 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. 2 Chronicles 25.23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 2 Chronicles 25.24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. 2 Chronicles 25.25 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. 2 Chronicles 25.26 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? 2 Chronicles 25.27 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. 2 Chronicles 25.28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

2 Chronicles : Chapter 25

The Reign of Amaziah: A Lesson in Obedience and Faith

Chapter 25 of the book of 2 Chronicles immerses us in the reign of Amaziah, king of Judah, and asks a fundamental question: what happens when partial obedience turns into disobedience? This instructive text presents Amaziah's early victories, followed by his idolatry and tragic fall. It explores crucial themes such as the importance of total obedience to God, the dangers of pride, and the disastrous consequences of rejecting divine guidance.

Furthermore, 2 Chronicles 25 sheds light on the conflict between Judah and Israel, inviting us to reflect on the spiritual and moral ramifications of these clashes. Join us in exploring five biblical passages that relate to the central themes of this revelatory chapter.

Parallel Narrative from 2 Kings 14:1-2 "In the second year of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem."

This verse provides a parallel narrative of Amaziah's reign, complementing the account contained in 2 Chronicles 25.

The Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 24:16

"Parents shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their parents; each shall die for his own sin."

This law is cited in 2 Chronicles 25:4, showing how Amaziah followed the law of Moses during his trial, thus affirming his commitment to God's commandments.

The Danger of Pride in Proverbs 16:18

"Pride goes before destruction; a haughty spirit before fall."

This proverb highlights the fate of Amaziah after his victory over Edom, when his pride led him to defy Israel, illustrating the consequences of vanity.

The Commandment of Exodus 20:3

"You shall have no other gods before me."

This sacred commandment is violated by Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25:14, when he begins to worship the gods of Edom, thus showing how idolatry can creep into the hearts of those who stray from God.

Trust in God according to Psalms 33:16-17

"The size of an army does not give victory to a king, nor does great strength set a warrior free. A horse is a vain hope of victory; despite all its strength, it cannot save."

These verses resonate with the lesson Amaziah learned, emphasizing the importance of placing our trust in God rather than in military might or our own abilities.

In sum, Amaziah's story reminds us that true victory lies in total obedience to God's will and that pride and idolatry can lead to our downfall. Let us reflect on these teachings and seek to live in the light of faith and obedience.