And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home. And Judah was routedThe term "routed" in this context refers to a decisive defeat in battle. The Hebrew root word here is "נָגַף" (nagaph), which means to strike, smite, or defeat. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe a significant and often humiliating defeat. Historically, this reflects the period of the divided kingdom, where internal strife and external threats were common. Judah's defeat serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the importance of seeking His guidance in times of conflict. before Israel
The phrase "before Israel" indicates that the battle was between the two divided kingdoms: Judah and Israel. This internal conflict among God's chosen people highlights the tragic consequences of division and disobedience. The historical context here is crucial, as it reflects the period after the united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon, when the kingdom split into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). This division weakened both kingdoms, making them vulnerable to external threats and internal decay. and every man fled
The phrase "every man fled" underscores the totality of the defeat. The Hebrew word for "fled" is "נָס" (nas), which conveys a sense of panic and disorderly retreat. This reflects not just a military defeat but a collapse of morale and unity among the troops. In a spiritual sense, it serves as a metaphor for what happens when individuals or communities turn away from God’s protection and guidance—they are left to face their battles alone, often resulting in fear and retreat. to his home
The return "to his home" signifies a retreat to safety and personal security after a public and collective failure. This phrase can be seen as a reflection of the human tendency to seek refuge in familiar and safe environments when faced with overwhelming adversity. Spiritually, it can be interpreted as a call to return to foundational truths and personal faith when public or communal efforts fail. It also highlights the importance of the home as a place of refuge and restoration, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. At this time, it was ruled by King Amaziah. 2. IsraelThe northern kingdom, consisting of the other ten tribes of Israel. During this event, it was ruled by King Jehoash (also known as Joash). 3. AmaziahThe king of Judah who initiated a conflict with Israel, leading to the battle described in this verse. 4. Jehoash (Joash)The king of Israel who responded to Amaziah's challenge and defeated Judah in battle. 5. Beth ShemeshThe location where the battle took place, situated in the territory of Judah. Teaching Points The Dangers of PrideAmaziah's decision to challenge Israel was rooted in pride and overconfidence. Believers are reminded to guard against pride, which can lead to unnecessary conflict and defeat. The Importance of Seeking God's GuidanceBefore engaging in any significant action, it is crucial to seek God's will and guidance. Amaziah acted on his own desires rather than seeking divine direction. Consequences of DisobedienceThe defeat of Judah serves as a reminder that disobedience to God's commands and principles can lead to negative consequences. Unity Among BelieversThe conflict between Judah and Israel highlights the destructive nature of division among God's people. Believers are called to pursue unity and peace within the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated Amaziah to challenge Jehoash, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls of pride in our own lives? 2. How does the outcome of this battle illustrate the importance of seeking God's guidance before making decisions? 3. In what ways can division among believers today mirror the conflict between Judah and Israel, and how can we work towards unity? 4. Reflect on a time when you acted on your own desires rather than seeking God's will. What were the consequences, and what did you learn from the experience? 5. How can the principles found in Proverbs 16:18 be applied to prevent pride from leading to personal or communal downfall? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 25This chapter provides a parallel account of the events leading up to and including the battle, offering additional insights into Amaziah's motivations and actions. 1 Kings 12This passage describes the division of the united kingdom of Israel into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah), setting the stage for the conflicts between the two. Proverbs 16:18This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to downfall, which is relevant to Amaziah's actions and the resulting defeat. People Ahaziah, Amaziah, Amittai, Azariah, David, Edomites, Hepher, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Joash, Jonah, Nebat, Zachariah, ZechariahPlaces Beth-shemesh, Corner Gate, Damascus, Edom, Elath, Ephraim Gate, Gath-hepher, Hamath, Israel, Jerusalem, Joktheel, Lachish, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Samaria, Sea of the Arabah, Sela, Syria, Valley of SaltTopics Defeated, Fled, Flee, Flight, Home, Judah, Overcome, Routed, Smitten, Tent, Tents, WorseDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 14:1-22 5366 king 2 Kings 14:7-14 7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 14:9-15 5607 warfare, examples 2 Kings 14:11-14 5214 attack Library The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 14:12 NIV2 Kings 14:12 NLT2 Kings 14:12 ESV2 Kings 14:12 NASB2 Kings 14:12 KJV
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