2 Kings 14

This chapter details the reigns of Amaziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam II, king of Israel. Amaziah, like his father Joash, follows some of the ways of the Lord but is not fully devoted. His military success against Edom leads to pride, which results in a foolish decision to challenge Israel. The chapter highlights the consequences of both kings' actions and continues the narrative of the divided kingdom's political and military tensions.

2 Kings 14:1-5 (NKJV)
1 In the second year of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, became king.
2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
3 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like his father David; he did everything as his father Joash had done.
4 However the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
5 Now it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king.

Amaziah ascends to the throne of Judah and, like his father Joash, partially follows the Lord's ways, though not as wholeheartedly as David. While he brings stability to the kingdom, Amaziah fails to remove the high places, showing his incomplete commitment to religious reform. The high places were sites of unauthorized worship that drew people away from proper worship of God in the temple. His execution of his father’s murderers is in line with ancient justice, establishing his authority and ensuring stability.

2 Kings 14:6 (NKJV)
6 But the children of the murderers he did not execute, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, in which the Lord commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”

Amaziah acts justly by sparing the children of the murderers, adhering to the Law of Moses, which forbids punishing children for the sins of their parents. This shows Amaziah's respect for God's law and contrasts with the common ancient practice of wiping out entire families to prevent future revenge. By obeying this law, Amaziah sets a moral example in his early reign.

2 Kings 14:7 (NKJV)
7 He killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel to this day.

Amaziah gains a significant military victory over Edom, killing 10,000 men and capturing the city of Sela, renaming it Joktheel. This success boosts his reputation and strengthens Judah’s position. The capture of Sela, a strategic fortress, symbolizes control over Edom, which had been a rebellious vassal state. This victory, however, would soon lead to Amaziah’s downfall as his pride leads to reckless decisions.

2 Kings 14:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face one another in battle.”
9 And Jehoash 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 your daughter to my son as wife’; and a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle.
10 You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Glory in that, and stay at home; for why should you meddle with trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”

Amaziah's victory over Edom emboldens him, leading him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel. Jehoash responds with a parable, comparing Amaziah to a lowly thistle and himself to a majestic cedar, warning Amaziah not to overestimate his strength after his victory. Jehoash warns Amaziah to stay content with his victory over Edom and not seek unnecessary conflict, foreseeing the potential for disaster.

2 Kings 14:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But Amaziah would not heed. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went out; so he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
12 And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his tent.

Ignoring Jehoash’s warning, Amaziah proceeds with the battle, resulting in a crushing defeat for Judah. Israel’s superior strength overpowers Judah, and the soldiers of Judah flee in retreat. This defeat humbles Amaziah and demonstrates the folly of pride and overconfidence. His unwillingness to listen to wise counsel brings disaster to his kingdom.

2 Kings 14:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh; and he went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate—four hundred cubits.
14 And he took all the gold and silver, all the articles that were found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.

Jehoash captures Amaziah and marches to Jerusalem, where he breaks down a significant section of the city wall, weakening its defenses. The loss of treasures from both the temple and the royal palace symbolizes Judah’s humiliation and further strengthens Israel’s position. Jehoash’s taking of hostages also ensures that Judah remains submissive for the time being, preventing further rebellions.

2 Kings 14:15-16 (NKJV)
15 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did—his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
16 So Jehoash rested with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Then Jeroboam his son reigned in his place.

The chapter briefly summarizes the remainder of Jehoash’s reign, directing the reader to the chronicles for further details. After his death, Jehoash is buried with honor among the kings of Israel, and his son Jeroboam II succeeds him. This transition marks a new phase in Israel’s history, with Jeroboam II becoming one of its more significant kings.

2 Kings 14:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
18 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
19 And they formed a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.
20 Then they brought him on horses, and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the City of David.

Despite surviving the battle and ruling for 15 more years, Amaziah's reign ends in a conspiracy. He flees to Lachish but is ultimately killed by those plotting against him. His assassination reflects the instability within Judah, as his failures and pride left him vulnerable to internal dissent. He is buried in Jerusalem, continuing the royal tradition, but his reign is marked by both successes and tragic missteps.

2 Kings 14:21-22 (NKJV)
21 And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
22 He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king rested with his fathers.

After Amaziah’s death, the people of Judah make his young son, Azariah (also known as Uzziah), king. One of Azariah’s early achievements is rebuilding and restoring Elath, a strategic port city. His reign will later be marked by prosperity and military success, representing a turning point for Judah after the instability under Amaziah.

2 Kings 14:23-25 (NKJV)
23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years.
24 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.
25 He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher.

Jeroboam II, ruling for 41 years, follows in the sinful ways of his namesake, perpetuating the idolatrous practices that plagued Israel. Despite his disobedience, God allows him to restore Israel’s borders, fulfilling the prophecy given by Jonah. This expansion represents God’s mercy toward Israel, even though they remain unfaithful. Jeroboam’s military success contrasts with his spiritual failure.

2 Kings 14:26-27 (NKJV)
26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel.
27 And the Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

Despite Israel's ongoing rebellion, God in His mercy observes their severe affliction and decides not to completely destroy them. The people are suffering with no one to help them, so God uses Jeroboam II to deliver them, preserving Israel for the time being. This highlights God’s patience and His desire to give Israel a chance to repent, even in their sinful state.

2 Kings 14:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did—his might, how he made war, and how he recaptured for Israel, from Damascus and Hamath, what had belonged to Judah—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
29 So Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel. Then Zechariah his son reigned in his place.

Jeroboam II’s reign is marked by military conquests and territorial expansion. He successfully restores areas that had been lost to Israel, further strengthening the kingdom. His acts of might are documented in the chronicles, but despite his success in war, he leaves behind a legacy of spiritual failure. After his death, his son Zechariah succeeds him, continuing the line of kings in Israel.