Topical Encyclopedia Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, reigning in Jerusalem for 29 years during the 8th century BC. His reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 14:1-20 and 2 Chronicles 25. Amaziah's life and reign provide a poignant example of apostasy, as he initially followed the ways of the Lord but later turned away, leading to his downfall.Early Reign and Faithfulness Amaziah began his reign with a measure of faithfulness to God. 2 Kings 14:3 states, "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not like his father David; he did everything as his father Joash had done." This indicates that while Amaziah sought to follow the Lord, his commitment was not as wholehearted as that of David. He adhered to the Law by executing the servants who had murdered his father, Joash, but spared their children, in obedience to the Mosaic Law as recorded in Deuteronomy 24:16. Military Campaigns and Initial Success Amaziah's reign was marked by military endeavors, including a successful campaign against the Edomites. He gathered an army and struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, capturing the city of Sela (2 Kings 14:7). This victory, however, sowed the seeds of his later apostasy. In 2 Chronicles 25:14 , it is recorded, "When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir, set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them, and burned sacrifices to them." Apostasy and Idolatry Amaziah's decision to adopt the gods of the Edomites marked a significant departure from his earlier faithfulness. This act of apostasy was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3). The prophet of the Lord confronted Amaziah, warning him of the futility and danger of worshiping these foreign gods. 2 Chronicles 25:15-16 recounts this encounter: "The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent a prophet to him, who said, 'Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver their own people from your hand?'" Consequences of Apostasy Amaziah's apostasy led to a series of unfortunate events. His heart was hardened against the prophet's warning, and he responded with arrogance and defiance. This spiritual decline culminated in a disastrous confrontation with the northern kingdom of Israel. Amaziah challenged King Jehoash of Israel, resulting in a humiliating defeat for Judah. Jerusalem's wall was breached, and the treasures of the temple and the king's palace were plundered (2 Kings 14:13-14). Ultimately, Amaziah's apostasy and subsequent failures led to his downfall. He fled to Lachish to escape a conspiracy against him, but he was captured and killed (2 Kings 14:19). His reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of turning away from God and embracing idolatry, highlighting the importance of steadfast faithfulness to the Lord. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 25:14,27Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them. Nave's Topical Index Library The Assyrian Captivity The Prophet Hosea. The Divided Kingdom. Political Religion The Prophet Amos. Questions. Footnotes Resources What is the mystery of iniquity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Restorationism? | GotQuestions.org What is Novatianism? | GotQuestions.org Apostasy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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