2 Chronicles 25:1-28
Q.1. Why was God disappointed with Amaziah’s reign? What restrained the purge beyond his father’s assassins? – (2 Chr.25:1-4)
Fundamentally, Amaziah – He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart (2 Chr.25:2). Once his reign was secure, Amaziah killed the assassins of his father. It was not uncommon for there to be a complete purge of all the family members – … but he did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the Lord commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin.” (2 Chr.25:4 c.f. Dt.24:16). The young king had written the Books of Moses down and would not transgress God’s Word.
Q.2. What caused the king to change his battle plans? How were his objections answered by the prophet? What losses did Amaziah incur because of his foolish alliance with Israel? – (2 Chr.25:5-13)
Young Amaziah was enterprising. He did a military census of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. He planned to expand his territory to the south, and to conquer the Edomites living in the hill country of Mount Seir. However, his army was insufficient because he had left God out of His calculations. Amaziah then hired mercenaries from Israel, to swell his army by one hundred thousand warriors. However, a single man of God warned the king that the Lord would not bless him, as long as he was unequally yoked to the troops whom he had hired from Ephraim – But if you do go, do it, be strong for the battle; yet God will bring you down before the enemy, for God has power to help and to bring down.” (2 Chr.25:8). Amaziah debated with the prophet about the loss of the one hundred talents of silver. He was assured – … “The Lord has much more to give you than this.” (2 Chr.25:9). Wisely, the king listened to the man of God, and dismissed the Israelite troops in spite of their strong protests (2 Chr.25:10). In the ensuing battle, Amaziah won comprehensively and more than recouped his losses.
Q.3. How did Amaziah respond to the God’s warning against Judah’s idolatry? Did silencing the prophetic voice change anything? How did God try to convict Amaziah of his pride? – (2 Chr.25:14-19)
Unfortunately, Amaziah and the soldiers brought back the Edomite gods, and began to worship them. The Lord raised up another man of God who pointed out the stupidity of worshiping the gods of Edom. However, the victory had gone to Amaziah’s head. This time he silenced the prophetic voice, but not before the prophet warned – … “I know that God has planned to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.” (2 Chr.25:16). The arrogant king now turned his attention to the nation that God had scorned. He called on Joash, king of Israel to fight. God, in grace, used Joash to warn the king of Judah – You said, `Behold, you have defeated Edom.’ And your heart has become proud in boasting. Now stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall and Judah with you?” (2 Chr.25:19).
Q.4. Why did Amaziah refuse to turn from his pride? What price did Judah pay for their idolatry? How did Amaziah end his reign? – (2 Chr.25:20-28)
As Amaziah’s confidence in himself grew, he refused to listen to God’s warnings – But Amaziah would not listen, for it was from God, that He might deliver them into the hand of Joash because they had sought the gods of Edom (2 Chr.25:20). Judah was soundly defeated. Joash captured Amaziah and took him to Jerusalem. He tore down part of the protective wall and plundered both the temple and royal treasuries. He took hostages and returned to Samaria. Though Amaziah outlived Joash by fifteen years, his final years were insecure and – from the time that Amaziah turned away from following the Lord they conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there (2 Chr.25:27). Another king ended badly.