Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 25

Verses 1-28

I. Amaziah ch. 25

The Chronicler selected three events from Amaziah’s reign to teach important spiritual lessons.

First, Amaziah followed the Mosaic Law faithfully in dealing with the people who had killed his father (2 Chronicles 25:1-4; cf. Deuteronomy 24:16). These actions transpired at the beginning of his reign.

Second, the king obeyed God partially in his war with the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:5-16). He unwisely hired mercenary soldiers to help him rather than seeking the Lord’s help (2 Chronicles 25:6; cf. 2 Chronicles 20:12). However, when the prophet rebuked him, he obediently dismissed them even though it cost him 7,500 pounds of silver (2 Chronicles 25:10). Nevertheless because he had hired them, he not only lost his money but he also lost the lives of some of his soldiers when the Israelites retaliated for having been dismissed (2 Chronicles 25:13). Furthermore, he disobeyed Yahweh by importing the gods of Edom (2 Chronicles 25:14). Finally, he refused to repent (2 Chronicles 25:10). [Note: On the parallels between this passage (2 Chronicles 25:5-15) and the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, see F. Scott Spencer, "2 Chronicles 28:5-15 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan," Westminster Theological Journal 46 (1984):317-49.]

Third, Amaziah disobeyed God by attacking Israel late in his reign (2 Chronicles 25:17-24). This was due, from the divine perspective, to the king’s idolatry (2 Chronicles 25:20) and, from the human perspective, to his pride (2 Chronicles 25:18). The consequences were that Judah’s enemy destroyed a portion of the wall around Jerusalem (God removed its defense, 2 Chronicles 25:23), and stripped the temple (the glory of God diminished, 2 Chronicles 25:24). Joash’s parable of the arrogant thistle recalls Jotham’s parable of the ignominious bramble (Judges 9:7-15).

"At bottom, it is the breakdown in the relationship between Amaziah and God which causes his downfall." [Note: Wilcock, p. 217.]

Idolatry was a serious matter because it struck at the heart of God’s relationship with His people. God blessed Israel with the opportunity to have an intimate personal relationship with the living sovereign Lord as no other people in the world then. To turn from this privilege to pursue dead idols was the height of effrontery (cf. Exodus 20:5). From the time Amaziah turned from Yahweh, God began to turn against him by using the faithful in Judah as His instruments of judgment (2 Chronicles 25:27). "The city of Judah" (2 Chronicles 25:28) is another name for Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kings 14:20).

"Instead of royal building programs, the walls of Jerusalem are destroyed; instead of wealth from the people and surrounding nations, the king is plundered; instead of a large family, there were hostages; instead of peace, war; instead of victory, defeat; instead of loyalty from the populace and long life, there is conspiracy and regicide." [Note: Dillard, 2 Chronicles, p. 203.]