2 Kings 14
2 Kings 14 records the major events during the reign of Amaziah, king of Judah, and Joash (Jehoash), king of Israel, and later Jeroboam II, Joash’s son. This chapter shows the political and military scenes of the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel in parallel, highlighting how history unfolds under the reign of each king and God’s sovereignty.
1verseIn the second year of Joash, son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.
2verseHe was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.
3verseHe did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done.
4verseHowever the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
5verseAs soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, he killed his servants who had slain the king his father,
6versebut the children of the murderers he didn’t put to death, according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.”
7verseHe killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
8verseThen Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s look one another in the face.”
9verseJehoash the 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.’ Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.
10verseYou have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Enjoy the glory of it, and stay at home; for why should you meddle to your harm, that you fall, even you, and Judah with you?”
11verseBut Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
12verseJudah was defeated by Israel; and each man fled to his tent.
13verseJehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh and came to Jerusalem, then broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
14verseHe took all the gold and silver and all the vessels that were found in the LORD’s house and in the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
15verseNow the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
16verseJehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his place.
17verseAmaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, fifteen years.
18verseNow the rest of the acts of Amaziah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
19verseThey made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.
20verseThey brought him on horses, and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in David’s city.
21verseAll the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.
22verseHe built Elath and restored it to Judah. After that the king slept with his fathers.
23verseIn the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria for forty-one years.
24verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.
25verseHe restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the LORD, the God of Israel’s word, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath Hepher.
26verseFor the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter for all, slave and free; and there was no helper for Israel.
27verseThe LORD didn’t say that he would blot out the name of Israel from under the sky; but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
28verseNow the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
29verseJeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zechariah his son reigned in his place.
Amaziah’s Reign and Reforms (Verses 1–7)
Amaziah becomes king of Judah, succeeding his father Joash. His accession and deeds are recorded; for the most part he does what is right, but not as faithfully as David. He executes the officials who killed his father, but does not kill their children; this reflects the legal principle that children are not to be put to death for their parents’ crimes. His conquest of Edom (taking Sela) brings Amaziah military renown.
Conflict Between Judah and Israel (Verses 8–14)
After conquering Edom, Amaziah grows bold and sends a challenge to fight Joash, king of Israel, in the north. Joash points out Amaziah’s arrogance using a parable, but eventually war breaks out and Judah is defeated. Great damage results: parts of the walls of Jerusalem collapse, and treasures from the temple and palace, along with hostages, are taken and seized by Israel.
The Reign of King Joash of Israel and Jeroboam II (Verses 15–27)
The final record of King Joash and the reign of Jeroboam II, who succeeds him are mentioned. During the reign of Jeroboam II, Israel expands its territory and experiences recovery, but it does not fully turn away from idolatry. God has compassion on Israel’s suffering and does not yet destroy them.
The End of Amaziah (Verses 17–22)
After his defeat, Amaziah lives for a long time (15 more years after King Joash of Israel dies). However, eventually a rebellion arises; he flees and is assassinated, and he is buried in the tombs of the kings of Judah. His son Azariah (Uzziah) succeeds him and ascends to the throne.
Points for Reflection
- When a person’s zeal and success lead to spiritual pride, greater pain may come.
- God’s mercy works sovereignly even amid mistakes and weaknesses.
- We must remember that the Lord—not humans—is the master of history.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Even with small success, keep your heart humble and maintain a life posture that continues to rely on God’s guidance.
- Let’s examine our attitude of faith to turn back to God even in failure and weakness.