Topical Encyclopedia Background:Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, reigning in Jerusalem. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Amaziah ascended to the throne following the assassination of his father, Joash, and his rule is marked by a mixture of fidelity to God and significant failures. His reign is dated approximately from 796 to 767 BC. Reign and Religious Observance: Amaziah began his reign with a commitment to justice and religious observance. He is noted for executing the servants who had killed his father, but he adhered to the Mosaic Law by not putting their children to death, as stated in 2 Kings 14:6 : "Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: 'Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.'" Amaziah's early actions were in alignment with the Law, and he initially did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, though not with a perfect heart (2 Chronicles 25:2). Military Campaigns and Idolatry: Amaziah's reign included a significant military campaign against Edom, where he achieved a notable victory. However, his subsequent actions led to his downfall. After defeating the Edomites, Amaziah brought back their gods and began to worship them, provoking the LORD's anger. This idolatry marked a turning point in his reign, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 25:14-15 : "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. Therefore 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?'" Conflict with Israel: Amaziah's pride following his victory over Edom led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle. Despite being warned by Jehoash of the folly of such a confrontation, Amaziah persisted. The ensuing battle at Beth-shemesh resulted in a humiliating defeat for Judah, with Amaziah captured and Jerusalem's walls breached (2 Kings 14:11-14). Assassination: The latter part of Amaziah's reign was marked by instability and discontent among his subjects. His idolatry and the disastrous war with Israel likely contributed to his unpopularity. Eventually, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem. Amaziah fled to Lachish, but he was pursued and killed there by his own officials, as recorded in 2 Kings 14:19 : "Now a conspiracy was formed against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there." Aftermath: Amaziah's body was brought back to Jerusalem, where he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. His death marked the end of a reign that began with promise but ended in tragedy due to his departure from faithfulness to God. His son, Azariah (also known as Uzziah), succeeded him as king of Judah. The regicide of Amaziah serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the political instability that can arise from such actions. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 14:19,20Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there. Nave's Topical Index Library The Prophet Hosea. Resources Who was Azariah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the city of Petra in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is an avenger of blood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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