2 Kings 14:1-16 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Kings 14:1-16. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Kings 14:1-16 (NIV)
1 In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.
2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin; she was from Jerusalem.
3 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash.
4 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
5 After the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king.
6 Yet he did not put the sons of the assassins to death, in accordance with 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 put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins.”
7 He was the one who defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela in battle, calling it Joktheel, the name it has to this day.
8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: “Come, meet me face to face.”
9 But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle underfoot.
10 You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”
11 Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah.
12 Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home.
13 Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate–a section about six hundred feet long.
14 He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. He also took hostages and returned to Samaria.
15 As for the other events of the reign of Jehoash, what he did and his achievements, including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?
16 Jehoash rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And Jeroboam his son succeeded him as king.
On verses 1 to 16: Here we read of the 29 year reign of Amaziah, king of Judah, son of Joash. The author of 2 Kings describes Amaziah as:
– a good king who followed the Lord, although Amaziah failed to remove the high places in Judah where idolatry continued (v2-4).
– the one who put to death the officials who murdered his father Joash (v5-6)
– the one who defeated 10,000 Edomites (v7).
However, after his victory over the Edomites, Amaziah becomes arrogant. He challenges Jehoash King of Israel to a fight. Despite Jehoash King of Israel clearly warning Amaziah to stand down (v9-10), Amaziah insists on fighting (v11). Amaziah loses to Jehoash, is himself captured along with other hostages, and the nation of Judah is attacked and looted (v12-14).
What can we learn from this? When you experience a great victory, stay humble. Do not allow pride and arrogance to cloud your judgment and cause you to make poor decisions.
Father, thank You for every time You remind me to stay humble, for pride goes before the fall, but humility comes before honour. Since You love humility, may I walk humbly before You and before others. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
