2 Kings 14:14
He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.
He took all the gold and silver
This phrase refers to the plundering of valuable resources, a common practice in ancient warfare. Gold and silver were not only symbols of wealth but also of power and divine favor. The taking of these metals signifies a transfer of power and a humiliation of the defeated party. In biblical history, such acts often indicated God's judgment on a nation for its disobedience.

and all the articles found in the house of the LORD
The house of the LORD refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a sacred place for the Israelites. The articles within were used for worship and sacrifices, making their seizure a profound desecration. This act echoes previous instances where the temple was plundered, such as during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26), highlighting a recurring theme of Israel's vulnerability due to its spiritual infidelity.

and in the treasuries of the royal palace
The royal palace's treasuries contained the wealth accumulated by the kings of Judah. The loss of these treasures not only weakened the kingdom economically but also symbolized the loss of royal authority and prestige. This event is reminiscent of the Babylonian exile when the treasures of both the temple and the palace were taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:13-17).

as well as some hostages
Taking hostages was a strategic move to ensure compliance and prevent rebellion. Hostages were often members of the royal family or nobility, whose safety would guarantee the subjugated nation's cooperation. This practice underscores the political dynamics of the time, where alliances and vassalage were maintained through such means.

Then he returned to Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The return to Samaria signifies the completion of a successful campaign and the consolidation of power. This event reflects the ongoing conflict between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, illustrating the divided state of Israel and Judah. The return also marks a temporary shift in power dynamics, with Israel asserting dominance over Judah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoash (Joash) of Israel
The king of Israel who invaded Judah and took treasures from the temple and the royal palace.

2. Amaziah of Judah
The king of Judah who was defeated by Jehoash, leading to the plundering of Jerusalem.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the temple and royal palace were located.

4. The House of the LORD
The temple in Jerusalem, a sacred place for worship and the dwelling of God's presence.

5. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Jehoash returned after the plundering.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Pride and Disobedience
Amaziah's pride and disobedience led to his defeat and the loss of Judah's treasures. This serves as a warning against arrogance and turning away from God's commands.

The Temporal Nature of Earthly Treasures
The plundering of the temple and palace highlights the fleeting nature of material wealth. Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal treasures in heaven.

The Importance of Humility and Seeking God
The account underscores the need for humility and reliance on God rather than personal strength or wealth.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
The event demonstrates God's control over nations and leaders, using them to fulfill His purposes and bring about judgment when necessary.

Learning from History
Reflecting on past events in Scripture can guide believers in making wise decisions and avoiding similar pitfalls.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the pride of Amaziah contribute to the events in 2 Kings 14:14, and what can we learn about the dangers of pride from other biblical examples?

2. In what ways does the plundering of the temple and palace illustrate the temporary nature of earthly possessions, and how does this relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament?

3. How can we apply the lesson of humility and reliance on God from this passage to our personal lives and decision-making processes?

4. What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty and His use of nations and leaders to accomplish His purposes?

5. How can studying the historical events of Israel and Judah help us avoid similar mistakes in our spiritual journey today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 25
Provides a parallel account of Amaziah's reign and his conflict with Jehoash, offering additional details about the events leading to the plundering.

1 Kings 14:25-26
Describes a similar event where treasures from the temple and royal palace were taken by Shishak, king of Egypt, highlighting a recurring theme of loss due to disobedience.

Isaiah 39:6
Prophesies the future plundering of Jerusalem by Babylon, showing a pattern of consequences for turning away from God.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, which can be related to the loss of earthly treasures in this passage.
Significant Facts in God's GovernmentD. Thomas 2 Kings 14:1-29
The Boastful Challenge, and its ResultsJ. Orr 2 Kings 14:8-14
People
Ahaziah, Amaziah, Amittai, Azariah, David, Edomites, Hepher, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Joash, Jonah, Nebat, Zachariah, Zechariah
Places
Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Damascus, Edom, Elath, Ephraim Gate, Gath-hepher, Hamath, Israel, Jerusalem, Joktheel, Lachish, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Samaria, Sea of the Arabah, Sela, Syria, Valley of Salt
Topics
Articles, Broken, Faith, Gold, Hostages, King's, Palace, Pledges, Price, Returned, Royal, Samaria, Sama'ria, Seized, Silver, Sons, Store-house, Temple, Treasures, Treasuries, Turneth, Utensils, Vessels
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 14:14

     4333   gold
     4363   silver
     5558   storing

2 Kings 14:1-22

     5366   king

2 Kings 14:7-14

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Kings 14:9-15

     5607   warfare, examples

2 Kings 14:11-14

     5214   attack

2 Kings 14:13-14

     5437   palaces

Library
The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Kings 14:14 NIV
2 Kings 14:14 NLT
2 Kings 14:14 ESV
2 Kings 14:14 NASB
2 Kings 14:14 KJV

2 Kings 14:14 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Kings 14:13
Top of Page
Top of Page