Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, reigning in Jerusalem after the death of his father. His reign is chronicled in the biblical books of 2 Kings 14:1-20 and 2 Chronicles 25. Amaziah ascended to the throne at the age of 25 and reigned for 29 years. His mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem (2 Kings 14:2).

Reign and Religious Observance

Amaziah is noted for doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD, though not with a fully devoted heart. The high places, where people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense, were not removed during his reign (2 Kings 14:3-4). This partial adherence to the covenantal laws reflects a recurring theme in the history of Judah's kings, where reforms were often incomplete.

Military Campaigns and Achievements

Amaziah's reign was marked by military endeavors, including a significant campaign against Edom. He successfully defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, capturing Sela and renaming it Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7). This victory was a notable achievement, as it reasserted Judah's dominance over Edom, a region that had previously rebelled against Judean control.

However, Amaziah's military ambitions led to a disastrous confrontation with the northern kingdom of Israel. After his victory over Edom, Amaziah challenged Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle. Despite a warning from Jehoash, Amaziah proceeded, resulting in a severe defeat for Judah at Beth-shemesh. Jehoash captured Amaziah, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and plundered the temple and royal palace (2 Kings 14:8-14).

Religious Apostasy and Consequences

Amaziah's reign was also marred by religious apostasy. After his victory over Edom, he brought back the gods of the Edomites and set them up as his own gods, bowing down to them and burning sacrifices. This act of idolatry provoked the LORD's anger, and a prophet was sent to rebuke Amaziah for his unfaithfulness (2 Chronicles 25:14-16).

Assassination and Legacy

Amaziah's reign ended in conspiracy and assassination. After his defeat by Israel and subsequent apostasy, discontent grew among the people of Judah. A conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and Amaziah fled to Lachish. However, he was pursued and killed there. His body was brought back to Jerusalem and buried with his ancestors in the City of David (2 Kings 14:19-20).

Amaziah's reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of pride, incomplete devotion to God, and the consequences of idolatry. His life and reign are a reminder of the importance of wholehearted obedience to the LORD and the perils of turning away from His commandments.2 Kings 14:1-20
In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 25:1-28
Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned IS years and died. ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the
hope that they would regain their control over the ten tribes. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... the laws, and died when he had reigned over the Israelites ... the scribe and the priest
that were over the treasuries ... treasures of God and of the kings [before him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... strengthened to gain a great victory over the Ethiopians ... kingdom during his lifetime,
and afterwards reigned alone till ... and most idolatrous of the Kings of Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... When He Had Taken Jezebel To Wife Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had ...
How Jotham, The Son Of Uzziah Reigned Over The Tribe Of Judah; And What ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Prophet Hosea.
... people until Israel and, Judah set over themselves one ... ministry in the reigns of
the kings Uzziah, Jotham ... the sixteen years during which Ahaz reigned, and at ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

Questions.
... 14. Who reigned over the rest of Israel? 15. ... 29. Who reigned after Hezekiah? 30. ... 7.
What prophecy did Josiah exactly fulfil?"1 Kings, xiii.2.31, 32,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Nineveh.
... triumphs, and all the scenes in the kings' histories, nay ... the best King of Samaria
that had yet reigned, for he ... but the free days of Judah were over, and they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... "In the days of Pekah," who reigned twenty years ... land of Naphtali" (1 Chronicles
5:26; 2 Kings 15:29 ... only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Hezekiah ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Appendices
... and not rather one of the unknown kings of the ... Assyrians 732 Hezekiah 727 Invasion
of Judah by Sennacherib ... 2. My father reigned over Moab thirty years, and I ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... or Aradus, and with Damascus, 2 Kings 18:34 ... prophetic times which were to pass over
Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel ... well as by Josephus presently, that he reigned in all ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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