◄ 2 Chronicles 25:7 ►
But a man of God came to him and said, "O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel--not with any of the Ephraimites.
Study Bible
But a man of God came to him and said
In the Old Testament, a "man of God" often refers to a prophet or someone who speaks on behalf of God. This indicates divine intervention and guidance. Prophets played a crucial role in advising kings and leaders, often delivering messages that were counter to political or military strategies. This phrase highlights the importance of seeking and heeding divine counsel over human wisdom.

O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you
At this time, the kingdom of Israel was divided into two: the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). King Amaziah of Judah was considering hiring mercenaries from Israel. The warning against this alliance underscores the spiritual and political tensions between the two kingdoms. It reflects the biblical principle of not forming alliances with those who are not aligned with God's purposes, as seen in other scriptures like 2 Corinthians 6:14.

for the LORD is not with Israel
This statement reflects the spiritual state of the northern kingdom, which had turned away from God under the leadership of various kings who promoted idolatry and false worship. The absence of God's presence signifies judgment and a lack of divine favor, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature. It serves as a warning to Judah to remain faithful to God.

not with any of the Ephraimites
Ephraim was one of the tribes of Israel and often used to represent the northern kingdom as a whole. The specific mention of Ephraimites emphasizes the broader spiritual decline of the northern tribes. Historically, Ephraim was a leading tribe in Israel, but its association with idolatry and rebellion against God is noted in passages like Hosea 4:17. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Amaziah
The king of Judah who sought to strengthen his army by hiring soldiers from Israel.

2. Man of God
An unnamed prophet who delivers God's message to King Amaziah, advising against his alliance with Israel.

3. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often in conflict with Judah during this period.

4. Ephraimites
A reference to the tribe of Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, from whom Amaziah hired soldiers.

5. Judah
The southern kingdom, ruled by Amaziah, and the focus of God's favor in this context.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Guidance
Rely on God's wisdom rather than human alliances or strength.

Heeding Prophetic Warnings
Be attentive to God's messengers and the warnings they bring, as they are often sent to redirect us to His will.

Avoiding Unequal Alliances
Be cautious of forming partnerships that may lead you away from God's favor and purpose.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Recognize that God is in control of nations and their destinies, and His presence is crucial for success.

Repentance and Obedience
When corrected by God, respond with repentance and obedience to align with His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Amaziah's decision to hire soldiers from Israel, and how does it apply to our decision-making today?

2. How does the role of the "man of God" in this passage encourage us to seek and listen to godly counsel?

3. In what ways might we be tempted to rely on "Ephraimites" in our lives, and how can we shift our trust back to God?

4. How do the consequences of Amaziah's actions compare to other biblical examples of kings who relied on foreign alliances?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision similar to Amaziah's. How did you discern God's will, and what was the outcome?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 13
Another instance where a "man of God" delivers a divine message, emphasizing the role of prophets in guiding kings.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9
King Asa's reliance on foreign alliances instead of God, illustrating a similar theme of misplaced trust.

Isaiah 31:1
A warning against relying on human strength and alliances rather than trusting in God.

Psalm 20:7
A reminder that true security comes from trusting in the name of the Lord rather than in chariots and horses.
Sermons
Gold, and the Favour of GodW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 25:5-9
A Campaign Against the EdomitesT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 25:5-13
People
Ahaziah, Amaziah, Benjamin, David, Edomites, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Joash, Obededom, Seir
Places
Beth-horon, Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Edom, Ephraim Gate, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Samaria, Seir, Valley of Salt
Topics
Army, Ephraim, E'phraimites, Host, March, O, Saying, Sons, Troops, Wit
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 25:1-28

     5366   king

2 Chronicles 25:5-7

     7233   Israel, northern kingdom

Library
Prudence and Faith
'And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.'--2 CHRON. xxv. 9. The character of this Amaziah, one of the Kings of Judah, is summed up by the chronicler in a damning epigram: 'He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.' He was one of your half-and-half people, or, as Hosea says, 'a cake not turned,' …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Amaziah
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this."--2 CHRON. xxv. 9. Amaziah, King of Judah, belonged to that numerous class of men who wish to stand well with both worlds. He was what we call in religious matters half-and-half. He wanted to secure the favour and protection of God without losing much or anything …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

The Blessedness of Giving
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase, so shalt thy barns be filled with plenty." "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it lendeth to poverty." "The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that …
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

The Unmerciful Servant.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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