There at Beth-shemesh, Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate--a section of four hundred cubits. Jehoash king of IsraelThe name "Jehoash" or "Joash" means "Yahweh has given" in Hebrew. As the king of Israel, Jehoash represents the northern kingdom during a time of division in the Israelite monarchy. His reign is marked by military prowess and conflict with Judah, highlighting the ongoing strife between the two kingdoms. Historically, this period is characterized by political instability and frequent warfare, reflecting the spiritual decline of Israel as they strayed from God's commandments. captured Amaziah king of Judah
Amaziah, whose name means "Yahweh is mighty," was the king of Judah, the southern kingdom. His capture by Jehoash signifies a moment of humiliation and defeat for Judah. This event underscores the consequences of pride and disobedience to God, as Amaziah had previously challenged Jehoash to battle, ignoring prophetic warnings. The capture serves as a divine judgment and a reminder of the need for humility and reliance on God. the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah
This genealogical reference situates Amaziah within the Davidic line, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant with David despite the current turmoil. Joash and Ahaziah, his predecessors, had their own complex relationships with God, marked by periods of reform and apostasy. This lineage highlights the recurring theme of God's faithfulness to His promises, even when His people falter. at Beth-shemesh
Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun," was a strategically located city in Judah. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a fortified city, making its capture significant. This location was historically a Levitical city, indicating its religious importance. The battle at Beth-shemesh symbolizes the vulnerability of Judah when they stray from God's protection. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem
Jehoash's advance to Jerusalem, the heart of Judah and the city of David, represents a bold and aggressive move. Jerusalem, as the spiritual and political center, holds immense significance in biblical history. This action by Jehoash is not just a military maneuver but a symbolic act of dominance over Judah. and broke down the wall of Jerusalem
The breaking down of Jerusalem's wall is a profound act of desecration and humiliation. Walls in ancient times were symbols of strength and security. Their destruction signifies vulnerability and defeat. This event foreshadows the eventual fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, serving as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God. from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate
The specific mention of these gates provides a geographical context, indicating the extent of the damage. The Gate of Ephraim, likely named for the tribe of Ephraim, and the Corner Gate, mark significant points in the city's defenses. This detail emphasizes the thoroughness of Jehoash's assault and the resulting breach in Judah's security. a section of four hundred cubits
A cubit, an ancient measure of length, is approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The mention of "four hundred cubits" quantifies the extent of the destruction, illustrating the severity of the breach. This measurement serves as a tangible reminder of the consequences of Judah's actions and the need for repentance and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jehoash (Joash) King of IsraelThe king of the northern kingdom of Israel who captured Amaziah. 2. Amaziah King of JudahThe king of the southern kingdom of Judah, son of Joash, who was defeated and captured by Jehoash. 3. Beth-shemeshA city in Judah where the battle between Jehoash and Amaziah took place. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where Jehoash broke down a significant portion of the city wall. 5. Gate of Ephraim and Corner GateSpecific locations in the wall of Jerusalem that were destroyed by Jehoash. Teaching Points The Consequences of PrideAmaziah's pride led to his downfall. We must guard against pride in our own lives, recognizing that it can lead to destructive outcomes. The Importance of HumilityHumility before God and others can prevent unnecessary conflicts and lead to peace and restoration. The Vulnerability of Earthly DefensesThe breaking down of Jerusalem's wall serves as a reminder that our ultimate security is found in God, not in physical structures or human strength. The Impact of Leadership DecisionsThe choices of leaders have significant consequences for their people. We should pray for and support leaders who seek God's wisdom. God's Sovereignty in HistoryDespite human conflicts and failures, God remains sovereign and His purposes will ultimately prevail. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Amaziah's defeat about the dangers of pride and self-reliance? 2. How does the destruction of Jerusalem's wall illustrate the limitations of human defenses compared to God's protection? 3. In what ways can we apply the lesson of humility from this passage to our personal and professional lives? 4. How does the conflict between Jehoash and Amaziah reflect the broader theme of division and strife in the history of Israel and Judah? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our leaders are guided by godly wisdom and humility, and how can we support them in prayer? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 25Provides a parallel account of the events, offering additional details about the conflict between Jehoash and Amaziah. 1 Kings 12Discusses the division of the kingdom, which sets the stage for the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Judah. Proverbs 16:18Relates to the theme of pride and its consequences, as seen in Amaziah's actions leading to his defeat. Isaiah 22:9-11Describes the importance of Jerusalem's walls and the impact of their destruction, highlighting the vulnerability of the city. People Ahaziah, Amaziah, Amittai, Azariah, David, Edomites, Hepher, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Joash, Jonah, Nebat, Zachariah, ZechariahPlaces Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Damascus, Edom, Elath, Ephraim Gate, Gath-hepher, Hamath, Israel, Jerusalem, Joktheel, Lachish, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Samaria, Sea of the Arabah, Sela, Syria, Valley of SaltTopics Ahaziah, Ahazi'ah, Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Angle, Beth, Bethshemesh, Beth-shemesh, Beth-she'mesh, Brake, Broke, Bursteth, Captured, Caught, Corner, Corner-gate, Cubits, Door, Doorway, Ephraim, E'phraim, Gate, Hundred, Jehoash, Jeho'ash, Jerusalem, Joash, Judah, Prisoner, Pulled, Section, Shemesh, Six, Tore, WallDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 14:13 5228 battering-rams
5323 gate
5604 walls 2 Kings 14:1-22 5366 king 2 Kings 14:7-14 7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 14:9-15 5607 warfare, examples 2 Kings 14:11-14 5214 attack 2 Kings 14:13-14 5437 palaces Library The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 14:13 NIV2 Kings 14:13 NLT2 Kings 14:13 ESV2 Kings 14:13 NASB2 Kings 14:13 KJV
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