2 Chronicles 25 Study Notes: Amaziah Turns to Edom’s Idols
Amaziah obeys a man of God by sending home hired soldiers from Israel and then defeats Edom, but he brings back Edom’s idols and worships them. He silences a prophet who rebukes him, ignores a warning from Jehoash of Israel, loses to Israel at Beth-shemesh, and later dies in a conspiracy.
General
According to 25:27, from what point was a conspiracy formed against Amaziah in Jerusalem?
Answer: From the time he stopped walking with the LORD
Jehoash’s warning came true. Judah was routed at Beth-shemesh, Amaziah was captured, part of Jerusalem’s wall was broken down, and the gold, silver, and articles from the temple and the palace treasuries were carried off to Samaria along with hostages (25:21-24). The end of Amaziah’s life is tied to his unfaithfulness: from the time he stopped walking with the LORD, people in Jerusalem plotted against him. He escaped to Lachish, but assassins pursued him and killed him there, and he was brought back and buried with his fathers (25:27-28). The prophet Azariah son of Oded had told an earlier king that the LORD forsakes those who forsake Him (2 Chronicles 15:2), and Paul warns that God is not mocked; people reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7).
- 2 Chronicles 25:22-23 (BSB)“And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his own home. There at Beth-shemesh, Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz. Then Jehoash brought him to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section of four hundred cubits.”Judah is routed, and Jehoash captures Amaziah and breaks down Jerusalem’s wall.
- 2 Chronicles 25:27 (BSB)“From the time that Amaziah turned from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there.”The chapter dates the plot against Amaziah from his turning away from the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”The LORD is with those who are with Him, but He forsakes those who forsake Him.
- Galatians 6:7 (BSB)“Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.”God is not mocked; a person reaps what he sows.
Theological
How does 25:27 date the beginning of the conspiracy that ended Amaziah’s life?
Answer: From the time he stopped walking with the LORD
The defeat Jehoash predicted followed: Judah was routed at Beth-shemesh, Amaziah was taken captive, Jerusalem’s wall was breached, and the temple and palace treasures were removed to Samaria (25:21-24). Chronicles then links the king’s violent end theologically to his apostasy, dating the conspiracy from the time he abandoned the LORD; he escaped to Lachish and was killed there (25:27-28). The outcome embodies the principle Azariah announced to Asa, that the LORD forsakes those who forsake Him (2 Chronicles 15:2), and the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7).
- 2 Chronicles 25:22-23 (BSB)“And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his own home. There at Beth-shemesh, Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz. Then Jehoash brought him to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section of four hundred cubits.”Judah is routed, and Jehoash captures Amaziah and breaks down Jerusalem’s wall.
- 2 Chronicles 25:27 (BSB)“From the time that Amaziah turned from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there.”The chapter dates the plot against Amaziah from his turning away from the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”The LORD is with those who are with Him, but He forsakes those who forsake Him.
- Galatians 6:7 (BSB)“Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.”God is not mocked; a person reaps what he sows.
General
How did the soldiers from Ephraim respond after Amaziah sent them home (25:10, 13)?
Answer: They went home in fury and later raided Judah’s towns
The hired soldiers from Ephraim, the northern kingdom, were enraged at Judah and left for home burning with rage (25:10). While Amaziah was away fighting Edom, they attacked the towns of Judah between Samaria and Beth-horon, killed three thousand people, and took much loot (25:13). The very men Amaziah had paid to help him, from a kingdom the LORD was not with (25:7), brought harm to Judah even after he sent them away. Chronicles records earlier alliances with Israel’s kings that also proved costly: a prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat for aiding people who hated the LORD (2 Chronicles 19:2), and his joint venture with Ahaziah of Israel ended in wrecked ships (2 Chronicles 20:37).
- 2 Chronicles 25:10 (BSB)“So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. And they were furious with Judah and returned home in great anger.”The troops from Ephraim are sent home and leave in great anger.
- 2 Chronicles 25:13 (BSB)“Meanwhile the troops that Amaziah had dismissed from battle raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon. They struck down 3,000 people and carried off a great deal of plunder.”While Amaziah is at war, the dismissed troops attack Judah’s towns.
- 2 Chronicles 19:2 (BSB)“Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.”Jehu son of Hanani rebuked Jehoshaphat for aiding people who hated the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 20:37 (BSB)“Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish.”Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah of Israel ended with his ships wrecked.
Theological
What did the dismissed Ephraimite troops do after leaving Amaziah (25:10, 13)?
Answer: They went home in fury and later raided Judah’s towns
The Ephraimite mercenaries left in burning anger (25:10) and, while Amaziah campaigned against Edom, raided Judean towns between Samaria and Beth-horon, killing three thousand and taking much plunder (25:13). The force Amaziah had bought from a kingdom the LORD was not with (25:7) harmed his people even after he dismissed it. Chronicles records earlier alliances with Israel’s kings that also proved costly, when Jehoshaphat was rebuked for aiding people who hated the LORD (2 Chronicles 19:2) and his partnership with Ahaziah of Israel ended in wrecked ships (2 Chronicles 20:37).
- 2 Chronicles 25:10 (BSB)“So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. And they were furious with Judah and returned home in great anger.”The troops from Ephraim are sent home and leave in great anger.
- 2 Chronicles 25:13 (BSB)“Meanwhile the troops that Amaziah had dismissed from battle raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon. They struck down 3,000 people and carried off a great deal of plunder.”While Amaziah is at war, the dismissed troops attack Judah’s towns.
- 2 Chronicles 19:2 (BSB)“Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.”Jehu son of Hanani rebuked Jehoshaphat for aiding people who hated the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 20:37 (BSB)“Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish.”Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah of Israel ended with his ships wrecked.
General
After Amaziah defeated Edom, what did he do with the defeated Seirites’ idols (25:14)?
Answer: He made them his own gods and bowed down to them
Having sent the hired troops away, Amaziah went out boldly and won a great victory over the men of Seir, that is, the Edomites, in the Valley of Salt (25:11). His army also took ten thousand captives and put them to death (25:12). Then came a shocking turn. Amaziah brought home the gods of the defeated Edomites, installed them as his own, worshiped them, and offered sacrifices to them (25:14). God had forbidden His people to worship any other god (Exodus 20:3) and to burn the images of the nations’ gods rather than keep them (Deuteronomy 7:25). Amaziah turned from the LORD, whose word he had obeyed before the battle, to idols, the very exchange Jeremiah later lamented (Jeremiah 2:11).
- 2 Chronicles 25:11 (BSB)“Amaziah, however, summoned his strength and led his troops to the Valley of Salt, where he struck down 10,000 men of Seir,”Amaziah takes courage and defeats the men of Seir at the Valley of Salt.
- 2 Chronicles 25:14 (BSB)“When Amaziah returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the Seirites, set them up as his own gods, bowed before them, and burned sacrifices to them.”Returning from the victory, Amaziah adopts and worships the defeated Edomites’ gods.
- Exodus 20:3 (BSB)“You shall have no other gods before Me.”God commanded His people to have no other gods before Him.
- Deuteronomy 7:25 (BSB)“You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God.”The Law ordered the images of the nations’ gods to be burned, not kept.
- Jeremiah 2:11 (BSB)“Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.”Jeremiah later grieved that Israel exchanged its Glory for useless idols.
Theological
What did Amaziah do with the gods of Seir when he returned from his victory over Edom (25:14)?
Answer: He made them his own gods and bowed down to them
After dismissing the mercenaries, Amaziah won a decisive victory over the men of Seir, the Edomites, in the Valley of Salt (25:11), and ten thousand captives were put to death (25:12). He then installed the gods of the conquered Edomites as his own, worshiped them, and offered sacrifices to them (25:14). It was a direct breach of the command against worshiping other gods (Exodus 20:3) and of the order to burn such images (Deuteronomy 7:25). Having just obeyed the LORD’s word before the battle (25:10), he now made the very exchange Jeremiah later lamented, trading the true God for idols that cannot help (Jeremiah 2:11), the divided heart of 25:2 now exposed.
- 2 Chronicles 25:11 (BSB)“Amaziah, however, summoned his strength and led his troops to the Valley of Salt, where he struck down 10,000 men of Seir,”Amaziah takes courage and defeats the men of Seir at the Valley of Salt.
- 2 Chronicles 25:14 (BSB)“When Amaziah returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the Seirites, set them up as his own gods, bowed before them, and burned sacrifices to them.”Returning from the victory, Amaziah adopts and worships the defeated Edomites’ gods.
- Exodus 20:3 (BSB)“You shall have no other gods before Me.”God commanded His people to have no other gods before Him.
- Deuteronomy 7:25 (BSB)“You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God.”The Law ordered the images of the nations’ gods to be burned, not kept.
- Jeremiah 2:11 (BSB)“Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.”Jeremiah later grieved that Israel exchanged its Glory for useless idols.
General
True or False: When Amaziah worried over the silver he had already paid out, the man of God told him that the LORD could give him far more than that.
Answer: True
This is true. Amaziah’s first concern was the silver he had already spent on the troops from Israel (25:9). The man of God answered that the LORD was able to give him much more than that amount. Obeying God might cost Amaziah the silver, but the LORD owns all wealth and was well able to give more than had been lost. Amaziah accepted the word and sent the soldiers home (25:10). Through Haggai the LORD declares that all silver and gold belong to Him (Haggai 2:8), and David confessed that wealth and honor are gifts from God, who rules over all (1 Chronicles 29:12).
- 2 Chronicles 25:9-10 (BSB)“Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. And they were furious with Judah and returned home in great anger.”Amaziah worries about the silver; the man of God points him to the LORD, and Amaziah sends the troops home.
- Haggai 2:8 (BSB)“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts.”The LORD declares that the silver and the gold belong to Him.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 (BSB)“Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.”David confessed that riches and honor come from God, who rules over all.
Theological
True or False: In reply to Amaziah’s concern over the hundred talents, the man of God said that the LORD could give him far more than that.
Answer: True
This is true. Amaziah’s hesitation was financial (25:9); the man of God answered by pointing to the LORD’s sufficiency: He was able to give much more than the sum lost. The silver already spent was no reason to disobey, and the king sent the soldiers away (25:10). The answer rests on God’s ownership of all wealth, for all silver and gold belong to Him (Haggai 2:8), and on David’s confession that wealth and honor are gifts from Him who rules over all (1 Chronicles 29:12).
- 2 Chronicles 25:9-10 (BSB)“Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. And they were furious with Judah and returned home in great anger.”Amaziah worries about the silver; the man of God points him to the LORD, and Amaziah sends the troops home.
- Haggai 2:8 (BSB)“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts.”The LORD declares that the silver and the gold belong to Him.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 (BSB)“Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.”David confessed that riches and honor come from God, who rules over all.
General
Why did the man of God tell Amaziah not to take the troops he had hired from Israel into battle (25:7-8)?
Answer: The LORD was not with Israel, and God decides every battle
Amaziah hired a large force of soldiers from the northern kingdom of Israel, paying them a hundred talents (25:6). A man of God, a prophet sent with the LORD’s message, told him to leave them behind, because the LORD was not with Israel, the people of Ephraim (25:7). Northern Israel had turned from the LORD, so joining with them meant leaning on people God was not blessing. Even if Amaziah fought bravely, God would bring him down, because God alone can grant help or bring defeat (25:8). Asa had prayed the same truth, that only the LORD helps the weak against the strong (2 Chronicles 14:11). Jonathan said the LORD can save with many or few (1 Samuel 14:6), and God’s people trust in His name, not in chariots and horses (Psalm 20:7).
- 2 Chronicles 25:7-8 (BSB)“But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites. Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.””The man of God warns Amaziah not to take Israel’s troops with him.
- 2 Chronicles 14:11 (BSB)“Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.””Asa confessed that only the LORD can help the weak against the strong.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan knew that the LORD can save by many or by few.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”God’s people trust in His name rather than in military strength.
Theological
What reason did the man of God give for sending Israel’s hired troops away (25:7-8)?
Answer: The LORD was not with Israel, and God decides every battle
The man of God objected that the LORD was not with Israel, that is, with the Ephraimites of the apostate northern kingdom (25:7). Alliance with them meant trusting in numbers drawn from a people under God’s displeasure. However bravely Amaziah fought, God would overthrow him, since God holds the power both to help and to bring down (25:8). Victory is the LORD’s gift, not the product of manpower, as Asa confessed (2 Chronicles 14:11), Jonathan believed (1 Samuel 14:6), and the psalmist sang (Psalm 20:7).
- 2 Chronicles 25:7-8 (BSB)“But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites. Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.””The man of God warns Amaziah not to take Israel’s troops with him.
- 2 Chronicles 14:11 (BSB)“Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.””Asa confessed that only the LORD can help the weak against the strong.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan knew that the LORD can save by many or by few.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”God’s people trust in His name rather than in military strength.
General
When the LORD sent a prophet to Amaziah, what question did the prophet ask him (25:15)?
Answer: Why seek gods that could not save their own people from him?
The LORD’s anger burned against Amaziah, yet He still sent a prophet to confront him (25:15). The prophet’s question exposed the foolishness of what Amaziah had done. The gods of Edom had not been able to rescue their own worshipers from Amaziah’s army. Why would he turn to gods that had just lost to him? The Psalms describe idols as lifeless objects made by human hands that cannot speak, see, or act (Psalm 115:4-8). Isaiah calls it ignorance to call on a god powerless to rescue (Isaiah 45:20), and through Jeremiah God dared Judah’s idols to rise up and save them (Jeremiah 2:28).
- 2 Chronicles 25:15 (BSB)“Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?””The LORD’s anger burns, and He sends a prophet with a pointed question.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (BSB)“Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.”Idols are lifeless works of human hands, and those who trust them become like them.
- Isaiah 45:20 (BSB)“Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.”Those who pray to a god that cannot save are without understanding.
- Jeremiah 2:28 (BSB)“But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.”God mocks the gods Judah made, challenging them to save in time of trouble.
Theological
What question did the prophet put to Amaziah about the gods he had adopted (25:15)?
Answer: Why seek gods that could not save their own people from him?
Though the LORD’s anger burned, He sent a prophet before acting in judgment (25:15). The question exposed the absurdity of the king’s idolatry: the gods of Edom had failed to deliver their own people from Amaziah, so worshiping them made no sense. The argument echoes Scripture’s consistent portrayal of idols as powerless works of human hands (Psalm 115:4-8), gods that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20), whose helplessness is exposed in the day of trouble (Jeremiah 2:28).
- 2 Chronicles 25:15 (BSB)“Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?””The LORD’s anger burns, and He sends a prophet with a pointed question.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (BSB)“Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.”Idols are lifeless works of human hands, and those who trust them become like them.
- Isaiah 45:20 (BSB)“Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.”Those who pray to a god that cannot save are without understanding.
- Jeremiah 2:28 (BSB)“But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.”God mocks the gods Judah made, challenging them to save in time of trouble.
General
After Amaziah cut him off, what reason did the prophet give for God’s decision to destroy the king (25:16)?
Answer: He had turned to idols and would not heed the prophet
Amaziah interrupted the prophet, asking whether anyone had appointed him as the king’s adviser, and threatened him with death if he kept talking (25:16). The prophet fell silent, but first he said he knew that God had decided to destroy Amaziah. He gave two reasons: Amaziah had done this, worshiping the gods of Edom, and he had refused to listen to the prophet’s counsel. Proverbs warns that someone who keeps hardening himself against correction will suddenly be broken (Proverbs 29:1), and that a fool trusts his own way while the wise listen (Proverbs 12:15). Mocking God’s messengers later brought ruin on the whole nation (2 Chronicles 36:16).
- 2 Chronicles 25:16 (BSB)“While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.””Amaziah silences the prophet, who announces God’s decision before he stops.
- Proverbs 29:1 (BSB)“A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.”One who stiffens his neck after repeated correction will be suddenly broken.
- Proverbs 12:15 (BSB)“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.”A fool trusts his own way, but a wise man listens to counsel.
- 2 Chronicles 36:16 (BSB)“But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.”Judah’s final ruin came when the people scoffed at God’s prophets until there was no remedy.
Theological
On what twofold ground did the prophet announce that God had determined to destroy Amaziah (25:16)?
Answer: He had turned to idols and would not heed the prophet
Amaziah silenced the prophet by asking whether he had been made royal counselor and threatening his life (25:16). The prophet complied but declared that God had resolved to destroy the king, for two reasons: his idolatry, and his refusal to heed the prophetic warning. The sentence follows the pattern of Proverbs 29:1, where the one who hardens himself after reproof is suddenly shattered, and Proverbs 12:15, where the fool trusts his own judgment. It also anticipates the nation’s end, when contempt for God’s messengers left no remedy (2 Chronicles 36:16).
- 2 Chronicles 25:16 (BSB)“While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.””Amaziah silences the prophet, who announces God’s decision before he stops.
- Proverbs 29:1 (BSB)“A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.”One who stiffens his neck after repeated correction will be suddenly broken.
- Proverbs 12:15 (BSB)“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.”A fool trusts his own way, but a wise man listens to counsel.
- 2 Chronicles 36:16 (BSB)“But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.”Judah’s final ruin came when the people scoffed at God’s prophets until there was no remedy.
General
What reason does 25:20 give for Amaziah’s refusal to listen to Jehoash?
Answer: It was from God, to hand Judah over for seeking Edom’s gods
Amaziah refused to heed the warning, and the verse says this came from God, so that He could hand Judah over to Jehoash because the people had turned to Edom’s gods (25:20). Two things are true at once. Amaziah’s refusal was his own proud choice; he had already silenced God’s prophet (25:16) and been told plainly that pride was driving him (25:19). Yet God was ruling over his stubbornness to carry out a just punishment for idolatry. Chronicles says the same of Rehoboam, whose refusal to listen was a turn of events from God (2 Chronicles 10:15). The LORD directs a king’s heart where He wishes (Proverbs 21:1), yet God never tempts anyone to sin (James 1:13). Amaziah was fully responsible, and God was fully in control.
- 2 Chronicles 25:20 (BSB)“But Amaziah would not listen, for this had come from God in order to deliver them into the hand of Jehoash, because they had sought the gods of Edom.”Amaziah ignores the warning, and the verse traces his stubbornness to God’s purpose of judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 10:15 (BSB)“So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.”Earlier, Rehoboam’s refusal to listen was likewise a turn of events from God.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs a king’s heart wherever He pleases.
- James 1:13 (BSB)“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”God rules over all, yet He Himself tempts no one to do evil.
Theological
To what does 25:20 attribute Amaziah’s refusal to heed Jehoash’s warning?
Answer: It was from God, to hand Judah over for seeking Edom’s gods
Chronicles traces Amaziah’s refusal to God, who purposed to deliver Judah into Jehoash’s hand because the people had turned to Edom’s gods (25:20). Divine sovereignty and human responsibility stand side by side. Amaziah’s obstinacy was his own, expressed already in his silencing of the prophet (25:16) and named by Jehoash as pride (25:19), yet God governed that obstinacy as an instrument of righteous judgment. The same pattern appears in Rehoboam’s refusal, described as a turn of events from God (2 Chronicles 10:15). God directs the king’s heart as He pleases (Proverbs 21:1) without being the author of sin, for He tempts no one (James 1:13).
- 2 Chronicles 25:20 (BSB)“But Amaziah would not listen, for this had come from God in order to deliver them into the hand of Jehoash, because they had sought the gods of Edom.”Amaziah ignores the warning, and the verse traces his stubbornness to God’s purpose of judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 10:15 (BSB)“So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.”Earlier, Rehoboam’s refusal to listen was likewise a turn of events from God.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs a king’s heart wherever He pleases.
- James 1:13 (BSB)“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”God rules over all, yet He Himself tempts no one to do evil.
General
How does 2 Chronicles 25:2 qualify Amaziah’s good conduct?
Answer: He did it, yet his heart was not fully in it
Amaziah did what pleased the LORD, but the verse adds that he did not do it wholeheartedly (25:2). His outward actions were often correct, yet his heart was divided. That opening verdict prepares for what follows, where Amaziah obeys a man of God about the hired troops but then turns to the gods of Edom and refuses correction. Scripture asks for a whole heart, because the LORD looks at the heart and not only at actions (1 Chronicles 28:9). The LORD shows Himself strong for people who belong to Him with undivided hearts (2 Chronicles 16:9), and the psalmist prays for an undivided heart (Psalm 86:11).
- 2 Chronicles 25:2 (BSB)“And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.”Amaziah’s reign is summed up at the start: right conduct, but a divided heart.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David charged Solomon to serve God with a whole heart, because the LORD searches every heart.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 (BSB)“For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.””The LORD shows Himself strong for those whose hearts are fully His, the very thing Amaziah lacked.
- Psalm 86:11 (BSB)“Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”The psalmist asks God for an undivided heart, the remedy for a half-hearted walk.
Theological
What qualification does 25:2 attach to Amaziah’s doing right in the LORD’s eyes?
Answer: He did it, yet his heart was not fully in it
Chronicles’ verdict is that Amaziah did right, but not with a whole heart (25:2). The divided heart is the key to the whole chapter: obedience in the matter of the hired troops is followed by idolatry and the rejection of a prophet. God requires undivided service because He searches the heart (1 Chronicles 28:9), and He shows Himself strong for people wholly devoted to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). The right response to a divided heart is the psalmist’s prayer for an undivided one (Psalm 86:11).
- 2 Chronicles 25:2 (BSB)“And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.”Amaziah’s reign is summed up at the start: right conduct, but a divided heart.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David charged Solomon to serve God with a whole heart, because the LORD searches every heart.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 (BSB)“For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.””The LORD shows Himself strong for those whose hearts are fully His, the very thing Amaziah lacked.
- Psalm 86:11 (BSB)“Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”The psalmist asks God for an undivided heart, the remedy for a half-hearted walk.
General
When Amaziah punished the men who had assassinated his father, why did he spare their children (25:3-4)?
Answer: The Law of Moses forbade killing sons for a father’s sin
Once his rule was secure, Amaziah put to death the men who had assassinated his father Joash, but he let their children live (25:3-4). The reason given is that he obeyed the command recorded in the Law God gave through Moses. The Law said that parents were not to be executed for their children’s crimes, and children were not to die for what their parents did; each person answers for his own wrongdoing (Deuteronomy 24:16). Ezekiel later repeats the same rule of personal responsibility (Ezekiel 18:20). Here Amaziah’s justice was shaped by God’s word.
- 2 Chronicles 25:3-4 (BSB)“As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king. Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.””Amaziah punishes his father’s murderers but spares their sons in obedience to the Law.
- Deuteronomy 24:16 (BSB)“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”The command Amaziah followed: each person dies for his own sin, not for a parent’s or child’s.
- Ezekiel 18:20 (BSB)“The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.”The prophet restates the same principle of personal accountability for sin.
Theological
On what basis did Amaziah spare the sons of his father’s assassins (25:4)?
Answer: The Law of Moses forbade killing sons for a father’s sin
Amaziah executed the conspirators who had killed Joash but explicitly spared their sons, in obedience to the Law given through Moses (25:3-4). The citation is Deuteronomy 24:16, which limits judicial punishment to the guilty party, and Ezekiel 18:20 later applies the same principle of individual accountability. In this early act Amaziah’s judgment was governed by the written Law, an example of the right conduct 25:2 credits to him.
- 2 Chronicles 25:3-4 (BSB)“As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king. Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.””Amaziah punishes his father’s murderers but spares their sons in obedience to the Law.
- Deuteronomy 24:16 (BSB)“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”The command Amaziah followed: each person dies for his own sin, not for a parent’s or child’s.
- Ezekiel 18:20 (BSB)“The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.”The prophet restates the same principle of personal accountability for sin.
General
What point did Jehoash king of Israel make with his story of the thistle and the cedar (25:18-19)?
Answer: Beating Edom had made Amaziah proud, so he should stay home
Amaziah challenged Jehoash king of Israel to meet him face to face, meaning in battle (25:17). Jehoash replied with a parable, a short story with a point. A small thistle asked a great cedar for a marriage between their families, and then a wild animal walked by and crushed the thistle underfoot (25:18). Jehoash then explained it plainly. Amaziah’s victory over Edom had made his heart proud and boastful, so he should stay home, or he would bring disaster on himself and Judah (25:19). Scripture often warns that pride comes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12), and that anyone confident of standing firm must watch lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
- 2 Chronicles 25:17-19 (BSB)“Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?””Amaziah challenges Jehoash, who answers with a parable and a warning.
- Proverbs 16:18 (BSB)“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”Pride comes before destruction, exactly the danger Jehoash pointed out.
- Proverbs 18:12 (BSB)“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”A proud heart comes before a downfall.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (BSB)“So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.”Whoever thinks he stands firm must take care not to fall.
Theological
What did Jehoash mean by his parable of the thistle and the cedar (25:18-19)?
Answer: Beating Edom had made Amaziah proud, so he should stay home
In reply to Amaziah’s challenge (25:17), Jehoash told a fable of a thistle presuming to treat a cedar as an equal, only to be trampled by a passing beast (25:18). His own application followed: the victory over Edom had lifted Amaziah’s heart in pride, and pressing the quarrel would bring his fall and Judah’s with him (25:19). The diagnosis matches the wisdom tradition, in which pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12), and Paul’s warning against the self-confidence that leads to a fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
- 2 Chronicles 25:17-19 (BSB)“Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?””Amaziah challenges Jehoash, who answers with a parable and a warning.
- Proverbs 16:18 (BSB)“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”Pride comes before destruction, exactly the danger Jehoash pointed out.
- Proverbs 18:12 (BSB)“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”A proud heart comes before a downfall.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (BSB)“So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.”Whoever thinks he stands firm must take care not to fall.