Who Was King Amaziah of Judah — Meaning Explained

Amaziah, son of Joash, became king of Judah at age twenty-five and reigned twenty-nine years. 2 Kings 14:3 records that 'he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father.' Early in his reign, he executed the servants who had murdered his father but spared their children, in obedience to Deuteronomy 24:16 — a notable act of faithfulness to the law. He mustered an army of three hundred thousand men of Judah and hired one hundred thousand from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. But a man of God came to him and said, 'O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel.' When Amaziah asked about the money he had paid, the prophet replied, 'The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.' Amaziah dismissed the Israelite mercenaries and went to battle, slaying ten thousand Edomites in the valley of salt. But then he made an inexplicable choice: he brought back the gods of the children of Seir, set them up as his own, bowed down to them, and burned incense to them (2 Chronicles 25:14). The Lord sent a prophet who asked, 'Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?' Amaziah threatened the prophet, who departed saying, 'I know that God hath determined to destroy thee.' Lifted up with pride, he challenged King Jehoash of Israel to battle. Jehoash warned him with the parable of the thistle and the cedar, but Amaziah would not hear. He was defeated, captured, and Jerusalem's wall was broken down. Conspirators eventually killed him at Lachish. Amaziah's life warns that partial obedience and prideful success often lead to spiritual ruin.