2 Kings 14:1–22

Judah’s King Amaziah

14In ^lthe second year of Israel’s King Jehoash ^mnson of Jehoahaz, ^oAmaziah ^pson of Joash became king of Judah. ²He was 25 years old when he became king and reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan ^qand was from Jerusalem. ³He did what was right in the Lord’s sight, but not like his ancestor David. He did everything his father Joash had done. ^r4Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places. ^s

⁵As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah killed his servants who had murdered his father the king. ^t6However, he did not put the children of the murderers to death, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses where the Lord commanded, “Fathers must not be put to death because of children, and children must not be put to death because of fathers; instead, each one will be put to death for his own sin.” ^u

⁷Amaziah killed 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. ^vHe took Sela ^win battle and called it Joktheel, ^xwhich is its name to this very day. ⁸Amaziah then sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us meet face to face.” ^y

⁹King Jehoash of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon once sent a message to the cedar ^zthat was in Lebanon, ^asaying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as a wife.’ Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. ¹⁰You have indeed defeated Edom, and you have become overconfident. ^bEnjoy your glory and stay at home. Why should you stir up such trouble that you fall—you and Judah with you?”

¹¹But Amaziah would not listen, so King Jehoash of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced off at Beth-shemesh ^cthat belongs to Judah. ¹²Judah was routed before Israel, and everyone fled to his own tent. ^d13King Jehoash of Israel captured Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash, ^eson of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down 200 yards ^fof Jerusalem’s wall from the Ephraim Gate ^gto the Corner Gate. ^h14He took all the gold and silver, all the articles found in the Lord’s temple and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and some hostages. ⁱThen he returned to Samaria.

Jehoash’s Death

¹⁵The rest of the events of Jehoash’s reign, along with his accomplishments, his might, and how he waged war against Amaziah king of Judah, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings. ^j16Jehoash rested with his fathers, and he was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. His son Jeroboam became king in his place.

Amaziah’s Death

¹⁷Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash lived 15 years after the death of Israel’s King Jehoash son of Jehoahaz. ^k18The rest of the events of Amaziah’s reign are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings. ^l19A conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, ^mand he fled to Lachish. ⁿHowever, men were sent after him to Lachish, and they put him to death there. ²⁰They carried him back ^oon horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. ^p

²¹Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, ^qrwho was 16 years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. ²²He rebuilt Elath ^stand restored it to Judah after Amaziah the king rested with his fathers.