Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, reigning in the 9th century BC. His reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. Amaziah's rule is marked by a mixture of obedience and defiance towards God, leading to significant opposition both from within his kingdom and from external forces.

Background and Reign

Amaziah ascended to the throne after the assassination of his father, Joash. He began his reign by executing the officials who had murdered his father, but he adhered to the Mosaic Law by not putting their children to death, as stated in 2 Kings 14:6: "Yet he did not put the children of the murderers to death, according to what is written in the Book of the Law 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.'"

Amaziah initially did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, though not with a fully devoted heart. He maintained the worship of the LORD but did not remove the high places, where the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense (2 Kings 14:3-4).

Military Campaigns and Idolatry

Amaziah's military campaigns were significant, particularly his victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, where he killed ten thousand men of Seir (2 Kings 14:7). However, his decision to bring back the gods of the Edomites and worship them led to divine disfavor. This act of idolatry is recorded in 2 Chronicles 25:14-15: "When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir, set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them, and burned sacrifices to them. Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent a prophet to him, who said, 'Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver their own people from your hand?'"

Conflict with Israel

Amaziah's pride following his victory over Edom led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel. Despite a warning from Jehoash, Amaziah insisted on confrontation, resulting in a disastrous defeat for Judah. The account in 2 Kings 14:11-12 describes the outcome: "But Amaziah would not listen, and Jehoash king of Israel advanced. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh in Judah. And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home."

The defeat was severe, with Jehoash capturing Amaziah and breaking down the wall of Jerusalem. This humiliation weakened Amaziah's rule and diminished his standing among his people.

Internal Opposition and Death

Amaziah's reign ended in conspiracy and assassination, a fate similar to that of his father. His idolatry and the subsequent defeat by Israel likely contributed to the discontent that led to his downfall. 2 Chronicles 25:27 records, "From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there."

Amaziah's life and reign serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and partial obedience to God. His initial faithfulness was overshadowed by his later actions, which led to opposition and ultimately his demise.