Amaziah
King of Judah who fought Edom and Israel, then turned to idols.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
Amaziah was a king of Judah, the son of Joash (2 Kings 14:1). He began his reign at age twenty-five and reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 25:1). He was succeeded by his son Azariah (also called Uzziah) (2 Kings 14:21; 1 Chronicles 3:12).
- father
- Joash king of Judah (2 Kings 14:1)
- mother
- Jehoaddan of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 25:1)
- age at accession
- twenty-five years old (2 Chronicles 25:1)
- length of reign
- twenty-nine years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 25:1)
- successor
- Azariah his son (2 Kings 14:21; 1 Chronicles 3:12)
Lore & Background
Amaziah challenged Jehoash (Joash) king of Israel to battle, but Jehoash warned him with a parable of a thistle and a cedar (2 Kings 14:8-9; 2 Chronicles 25:17-18). Amaziah lived fifteen years after Jehoash's death (2 Kings 14:17).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Amaziah as a king who began well but ended poorly. He initially sought God's guidance through a prophet and obeyed by dismissing the hired Israelite army (2 Chronicles 25:9-10). However, after military success against Edom, he adopted their idols, leading to divine rebuke (2 Chronicles 25:14-15). His pride led him to provoke a war with Israel, resulting in his defeat and humiliation (2 Kings 14:8-13). The Chronicler notes he did what was right in the Lord's sight, like his father (2 Kings 15:3), but his later idolatry and folly overshadow his early obedience. His reign ended with his son Azariah succeeding him (2 Kings 14:21).
Did You Know?
- Amaziah was 25 when he began to reign and reigned 29 years (2 Chronicles 25:1).
- After defeating Edom, he worshiped the gods of the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:14).
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