---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Kings 14"
description: "CHAPTER 14   :-. AMAZIAH"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-kings/14"
---

CHAPTER 14

. AMAZIAH'S GOOD
REIGN OVER JUDAH.

**3-6. He did that which was right in
the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father**—The
beginning of his reign was excellent, for he acted the part of a
constitutional king, according to the law of God, yet not with
perfect sincerity of heart (compare ). As in the case of his father Joash, the early promise was
belied by the devious course he personally followed in later life
(see [2 Chronicles 20:14](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/20/14)), as well as by
the public irregularities he tolerated in the kingdom.

**5. as soon as the kingdom was
confirmed in his hand**—It was an act of justice no less than of
filial piety to avenge the murder of his father. But it is evident
that the two assassins must have possessed considerable weight and
influence, as the king was obliged to retain them in his service, and
durst not, for fear of their friends and supporters, institute
proceedings against them until his power had been fully consolidated.

**6. But the children of the murderers
he slew not**—This moderation, inspired by the Mosaic law (), displays the good character of this prince; for the
course thus pursued toward the families of the regicides was directly
contrary to the prevailing customs of antiquity, according to which
all connected with the criminals were doomed to unsparing
destruction.
. HE SMITES
EDOM.

**7. He slew of Edom in the valley of
salt ten thousand**—In the reign of Joram the Edomites had
revolted (see [2 Kings 8:20](../../../kjv/2-kings/8/20)). But
Amaziah, determined to reduce them to their former subjection, formed
a hostile expedition against them, in which he routed their army and
made himself master of their capital.
**the valley of salt**—that
part of the Ghor which comprises the salt and sandy plain to the
south of the Dead Sea.
**Selah**—literally, "the
rock"; generally thought to be Petra.
**Joktheel**—that is,
"given" or "conquered by God." See the history of
this conquest more fully detailed ([2 Kings 8:20](../../../kjv/2-kings/8/20)).
[2 Kings 8:20](../../../kjv/2-kings/8/20). JOASH DEFEATS
HIM.

**8. Amaziah sent messengers to
Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel**—This
bold and haughty challenge, which was most probably stimulated by a
desire of satisfaction for the outrages perpetrated by the discharged
auxiliaries of Israel ([2 Chronicles 25:13](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/25/13))
on the towns that lay in their way home, as well as by revenge for
the massacre of his ancestors by Jehu ([2 Chronicles 25:13](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/25/13)) sprang, there is little doubt, from pride and
self-confidence, inspired by his victory over the Edomites.

**9. Jehoash the king of Israel sent
to Amaziah**—People in the East very often express their
sentiments in a parabolic form, especially when they intend to convey
unwelcome truths or a contemptuous sneer. This was the design of the
admonitory fable related by Joash in his reply. The thistle, a low
shrub, might be chosen to represent Amaziah, a petty prince; the
cedar, the powerful sovereign of Israel, and the wild beast that
trampled down the thistle the overwhelming army with which Israel
could desolate Judah. But, perhaps, without making so minute an
application, the parable may be explained generally, as describing in
a striking manner the effects of pride and ambition, towering far
beyond their natural sphere, and sure to fall with a sudden and
ruinous crash. The moral of the fable is contained in .

**11-14. But Amaziah would not
hear**—The sarcastic tenor of this reply incited the king of
Judah the more; for, being in a state of judicial blindness and
infatuation ([2 Chronicles 25:20](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/25/20)), he
was immovably determined on war. But the superior energy of Joash
surprised him ere he had completed his military preparations. Pouring
a large army into the territory of Judah, he encountered Amaziah in a
pitched battle, routed his army, and took him prisoner. Then having
marched to Jerusalem [[2 Kings 14:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/13)],
he not only demolished part of the city walls, but plundered the
treasures of the palace and temple. Taking hostages to prevent any
further molestation from Judah, he terminated the war. Without
leaving a garrison in Jerusalem, he returned to his capital with all
convenient speed, his presence and all his forces being required to
repel the troublesome incursions of the Syrians.
[2 Kings 14:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/13). HE IS
SLAIN BY A CONSPIRACY.

**19, 20. they made a conspiracy
against him in Jerusalem**—Amaziah's apostasy () was followed by a general maladministration, especially
the disastrous issue of the war with Israel. The ruinous condition of
Jerusalem, the plunder of the temple, and the loss of their children
who were taken as hostages [[2 Kings 14:13](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/13);
[2 Kings 14:14](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/14)], lost him the respect
and attachment not of the grandees only, but of his subjects
generally, who were in rebellion. The king fled in terror to Lachish,
a frontier town of the Philistines, where, however, he was traced and
murdered. His friends had his corpse brought without any pomp or
ceremony, in a chariot to Jerusalem, where he was interred among his
royal ancestors.
[2 Kings 14:21](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/21);
[2 Kings 14:22](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/22). AZARIAH
SUCCEEDS HIM.

**21. all the people of Judah took
Azariah**—or Uzziah ([2 Kings 15:30](../../../kjv/2-kings/15/30);
[2 Chronicles 26:1](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/26/1)). The popular opposition
had been personally directed against Amaziah as the author of their
calamities, but it was not extended to his family or heir.

**22. He built Elath**—fortified
that seaport. It had revolted with the rest of Edom, but was now
recovered by Uzziah. His father, who did not complete the conquest of
Edom, had left him that work to do.
. JEROBOAM'S
WICKED REIGN
OVER ISRAEL.

**23. Jeroboam, the son of Joash king
of Israel**—This was Jeroboam II who, on regaining the lost
territory, raised the kingdom to great political power (), but adhered to the favorite religious policy of the
Israelitish sovereigns (). While God granted him so great a measure of national
prosperity and eminence, the reason is expressly stated ([2 Kings 14:26](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/26);
[2 Kings 14:27](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/27)) to be that the
purposes of the divine covenant forbade as yet the overthrow of the
kingdom of the ten tribes (see [2 Kings 14:27](../../../kjv/2-kings/14/27)).

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