◄ 2 Chronicles 25:18 ►
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.
Study Bible
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah:
Jehoash, also known as Joash, was the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is noted in 2 Kings 13:10-25. Amaziah, king of Judah, ruled the southern kingdom. This interaction occurs during a period of division between the two kingdoms, highlighting the ongoing tension and rivalry. The historical context is crucial, as both kings were descendants of David, yet their kingdoms were often at odds. This division is a result of the split after Solomon's reign, as described in 1 Kings 12.

“A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying,
The imagery of a thistle and a cedar is symbolic. The thistle represents something small and insignificant, while the cedar symbolizes strength and majesty. Lebanon was known for its mighty cedars, often used in biblical literature to denote power and grandeur (Psalm 92:12). This metaphor illustrates the perceived arrogance of Amaziah, who, despite his recent victory over Edom, is seen as overreaching by challenging Jehoash.

‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’
This phrase suggests a proposal of alliance or equality, which was common in ancient Near Eastern politics. Marriages were often used to secure peace or alliances between kingdoms. However, in this context, it is a sarcastic remark, as Jehoash implies that Amaziah's request is presumptuous and unrealistic, given the disparity in their power and status.

Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
The wild beast represents an unforeseen force or event that disrupts the thistle's plans. This imagery suggests the futility of Amaziah's ambitions and foreshadows his defeat. The use of a wild beast can also be seen as a metaphor for divine intervention or judgment, a common theme in the Old Testament where God uses natural elements or events to fulfill His purposes (Daniel 7:5-6). This serves as a warning against pride and overconfidence, themes echoed in Proverbs 16:18.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoash (Joash) King of Israel
The king of the northern kingdom of Israel during the time of Amaziah. He uses a parable to respond to Amaziah's challenge.

2. Amaziah King of Judah
The king of the southern kingdom of Judah who challenges Jehoash to battle, demonstrating pride and overconfidence.

3. Thistle and Cedar in Lebanon
Metaphorical elements used by Jehoash to illustrate the disparity between himself and Amaziah. The thistle represents Amaziah, and the cedar represents Jehoash.

4. Wild Beast in Lebanon
Symbolizes the unforeseen consequences or forces that can easily destroy the prideful and overreaching.

5. Lebanon
A region known for its majestic cedars, used metaphorically to convey strength and stature.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Pride can lead to overconfidence and poor decision-making, as seen in Amaziah's challenge to Jehoash.

Understanding Our Limitations
Recognizing our own limitations and the strengths of others can prevent unnecessary conflicts and failures.

The Power of Humility
Humility allows us to seek God's guidance and avoid the pitfalls of arrogance.

Consequences of Ignoring Wise Counsel
Ignoring advice and warnings, as Amaziah did, can lead to downfall and destruction.

Metaphors as Teaching Tools
The use of metaphors, like the thistle and cedar, can effectively convey deeper truths and lessons.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the thistle and cedar in Lebanon illustrate the relationship between Jehoash and Amaziah?

2. In what ways can pride lead to personal or communal downfall, as seen in the account of Amaziah?

3. How can we apply the lesson of humility from this passage to our daily interactions and decision-making?

4. What are some modern-day "wild beasts" that can trample our plans if we act out of pride or overconfidence?

5. How does this passage connect with the broader biblical theme of pride and humility, and what other scriptures reinforce this lesson?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 16:18
This verse speaks about pride leading to destruction, which is a central theme in Jehoash's parable to Amaziah.

1 Kings 12:16-24
The division of the kingdom of Israel and Judah provides context for the ongoing conflicts between the two kingdoms, including the one between Jehoash and Amaziah.

Galatians 6:3
This New Testament verse warns against self-deception and pride, echoing the lesson Amaziah learns.
Sermons
True and False UnionJ. Lewis.2 Chronicles 25:18
Human PresumptionW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 25:17-24
The Battle of Beth-Shemesh; Or, the Downfall of a BoasterT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 25:17-24
People
Ahaziah, Amaziah, Benjamin, David, Edomites, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Joash, Obededom, Seir
Places
Beth-horon, Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Edom, Ephraim Gate, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Samaria, Seir, Valley of Salt
Topics
Along, Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Animal, Beast, Beasts, Bush, Cedar, Crushing, Daughter, Face, Field, Joash, Jo'ash, Judah, Lebanon, Marriage, Message, Pass, Passed, Replied, Saying, Thistle, Thorn, Thorn-bush, Thorn-tree, Trampled, Treadeth, Trod, Trode, Underfoot, Wife, Wild, Woodland
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 25:18

     4424   cedar
     4520   thorns

2 Chronicles 25:1-28

     5366   king

2 Chronicles 25:17-24

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Chronicles 25:18-19

     5438   parables

Library
Prudence and Faith
'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 CHRON. xxv. 9. The character of this Amaziah, one of the Kings of Judah, is summed up by the chronicler in a damning epigram: 'He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.' He was one of your half-and-half people, or, as Hosea says, 'a cake not turned,' …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Amaziah
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "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 CHRON. xxv. 9. Amaziah, King of Judah, belonged to that numerous class of men who wish to stand well with both worlds. He was what we call in religious matters half-and-half. He wanted to secure the favour and protection of God without losing much or anything …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

The Blessedness of Giving
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase, so shalt thy barns be filled with plenty." "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it lendeth to poverty." "The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that …
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

The Unmerciful Servant.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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