Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, reigning in the 9th century BC. His reign is documented in the biblical books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Amaziah's initial obedience to God is a significant aspect of his rule, reflecting a period of faithfulness and adherence to the laws of the Lord, which is noteworthy in the context of the history of the kings of Judah.

Biblical Account

Amaziah's reign is introduced in 2 Kings 14:1-4 and 2 Chronicles 25:1-4. He began his rule at the age of 25 and reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. The Berean Standard Bible states in 2 Kings 14:3, "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not like his father David. He did everything as his father Joash had done." This passage highlights Amaziah's initial commitment to doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, although it also subtly indicates that his obedience was not as complete as that of King David.

Obedience to the Law

One of the key aspects of Amaziah's initial obedience is his adherence to the Mosaic Law concerning justice and retribution. After securing his throne, Amaziah executed the officials who had murdered his father, Joash. However, he spared their children, in accordance with the law stated in Deuteronomy 24:16, which is reiterated in 2 Chronicles 25:4 : "Yet he did not put their children to death, according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: 'Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.'"

Military Actions and Reliance on God

Amaziah's initial obedience is further demonstrated in his military actions. In 2 Chronicles 25:5-10, Amaziah assembled an army and hired 100,000 mighty warriors from Israel. However, a man of God came to him and advised against using the Israelite troops, as the Lord was not with Israel. In obedience to this divine counsel, Amaziah dismissed the hired troops, trusting in the Lord for victory. This act of faith is recorded in 2 Chronicles 25:8-9 : "But if you go with them, do it! Be strong for battle, but God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow." Amaziah's decision to heed this warning and rely on God alone for military success is a testament to his initial obedience and trust in divine guidance.

Religious Reforms and Worship

While Amaziah's initial obedience is evident, it is important to note that his religious reforms were not as comprehensive as those of other kings like Hezekiah or Josiah. 2 Kings 14:4 notes, "Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense on the high places." This indicates that while Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, his reforms did not extend to the removal of the high places, which were centers of unauthorized worship.

Summary

Amaziah's initial obedience is characterized by his adherence to the Mosaic Law, his reliance on God for military success, and his general commitment to doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, his failure to remove the high places suggests a partial obedience, which foreshadows the later decline in his faithfulness. His reign serves as a reminder of the importance of complete devotion and obedience to God's commands.