In brief
Amaziah, son of Joash, reigns twenty-nine years over Judah, at the start of the eighth century BC. He does what is right in Yahweh's eyes, but not with a perfect heart. He listens to a man of God and wins a great victory over Edom, then worships the gods of the defeated. Filled with pride, he provokes Joash, king of Israel, and suffers a crushing defeat. He dies, the victim of a conspiracy at Lachish.
What does the name Amaziah mean?
Amaziah is generally understood as “Yahweh is strong.” The Bible does not explain this name.
The story of Amaziah
A reign begun according to the law
2 Kings 14:1-6Amaziah becomes king at twenty-five. He does what is right in Yahweh's eyes, though not like David, and the high places remain. He puts to death the servants who had killed his father, but spares their sons, in keeping with the law of Moses, which says that each person is to die for his own sin.
Lost silver and trust in God
2 Chronicles 25:5-10Amaziah gathers three hundred thousand men and pays a hundred talents of silver for a hundred thousand soldiers from Israel. A man of God warns him that Yahweh is not with Israel. Amaziah worries about his money, and the man of God answers: “Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.” Amaziah sends the troops of Ephraim home.
Victory in the Valley of Salt
2 Chronicles 25:11-13; 2 Kings 14:7Amaziah takes courage and leads his people to the Valley of Salt, where he strikes down ten thousand men of Seir. He also takes Sela. Meanwhile the Israelite soldiers he sent home, very angry, raid cities of Judah, kill three thousand people and carry off great plunder.
The gods of the defeated
2 Chronicles 25:14-16Back from his victory, Amaziah brings home the gods of the sons of Seir, bows down to them and burns incense to them. A prophet asks why he seeks gods that could not rescue their own people. The king silences him. The prophet leaves, announcing that God has determined to destroy him.
The thistle and the cedar
2 Kings 14:8-14Amaziah challenges Joash, king of Israel. Joash answers with a parable: the thistle of Lebanon asks for the cedar's daughter and ends up trampled by wild animals. “You have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up.” Amaziah does not listen. Judah is beaten at Beth Shemesh, the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the temple treasures are carried off.
A tragic end
2 Chronicles 25:25-28Amaziah lives fifteen years after the death of Joash. The Chronicler notes that from the time he turned away from Yahweh, a conspiracy formed against him in Jerusalem. He flees to Lachish, but he is pursued there and put to death. He is brought back on horses to be buried with his fathers.
What Amaziah teaches us
- Doing what is right is not enough without a heart fully given to God.
- Obeying God may cost money, but he can give far more than we lose.
- Victory can become a trap when it feeds pride.
- Refusing a prophet's warning means exposing oneself to judgment.
- Whoever turns away from God after serving him ends up destroying himself.
Key verses
Amaziah does what is right in Yahweh's eyes, “but not with a perfect heart.” This verse sums up his whole reign in a few words.
“Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.” The man of God reminds the king that obedience is worth more than the money spent.
Joash warns Amaziah that his victory over Edom has lifted up his heart. Pride pushes him into an undertaking that will bring ruin on him and on Judah.
“Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” Amaziah's path, from victory over Edom to defeat against Israel, illustrates this proverb.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Amaziah called a king with a divided heart?
Because 2 Chronicles 25:2 says he did what is right in Yahweh's eyes, but not with a perfect heart. He obeyed at first, then worshiped the gods of Edom after his victory and refused to listen to the prophet God sent.
What does the name Amaziah mean?
Amaziah is generally understood as “Yahweh is strong.” The Bible does not explain this name. It is borne by the king of Judah, son of Joash and father of Azariah, but also by other people, such as the priest of Bethel who opposed the prophet Amos.
Where can I find Amaziah's story in the Bible?
His reign is told in 2 Kings 14:1-21 and, in more detail, in 2 Chronicles 25. The book of Chronicles adds the episode of the dismissed Israelite soldiers, the worship of the gods of Edom and the prophet's warning.