He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria. He took all the gold and silverThis phrase highlights the actions of Jehoash, king of Israel, who plundered the temple and the royal palace of Judah. The Hebrew root for "took" (לָקַח, laqach) implies a forceful seizure, indicating the severity of the defeat inflicted upon Amaziah, king of Judah. Gold and silver were not only valuable commodities but also held religious significance, often used in temple worship and as symbols of divine blessing. The loss of these treasures signifies a spiritual and national humiliation for Judah. and all the articles found in the house of the LORD
The "articles" refer to sacred objects used in worship within the temple. The Hebrew word for "articles" (כְּלִי, keli) can denote vessels or implements, emphasizing their role in the religious practices of the Israelites. The desecration of the temple by removing these items underscores a profound disrespect for the sanctity of the house of the LORD. Historically, such acts were common in ancient Near Eastern warfare, where conquering kings would demonstrate their superiority by desecrating the religious sites of their enemies. and in the treasuries of the royal palace
The "treasuries" (אוֹצָר, otsar) of the royal palace were repositories for the wealth and resources of the kingdom. By plundering these, Jehoash not only weakened Judah economically but also symbolically stripped the king of his power and prestige. This act reflects the political dynamics of the time, where wealth was directly tied to a king's ability to maintain power and influence. as well as some hostages
Taking "hostages" (בְּנֵי תַּעֲרוּכָה, bene ta'arukah) was a common practice in ancient times to ensure compliance and prevent rebellion. These individuals, often of noble or royal blood, served as guarantees of peace or subservience. The taking of hostages by Jehoash would have been a strategic move to secure his victory and maintain control over Judah, ensuring that Amaziah would not retaliate or seek alliances against Israel. Then he returned to Samaria
Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was the political and cultural center of Jehoash's reign. His return to Samaria signifies the completion of his campaign and the consolidation of his victory. The historical context of this event highlights the ongoing conflict between the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, a period marked by political instability and frequent warfare. Jehoash's return to Samaria with the spoils of war would have been seen as a triumph, reinforcing his status and authority as king. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jehoash (Joash) of IsraelThe king of Israel who invaded Judah and took treasures from the temple and the royal palace. 2. Amaziah of JudahThe king of Judah who was defeated by Jehoash, leading to the plundering of Jerusalem. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where the temple and royal palace were located. 4. The House of the LORDThe temple in Jerusalem, a sacred place for worship and the dwelling of God's presence. 5. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Jehoash returned after the plundering. Teaching Points The Consequences of Pride and DisobedienceAmaziah's pride and disobedience led to his defeat and the loss of Judah's treasures. This serves as a warning against arrogance and turning away from God's commands. The Temporal Nature of Earthly TreasuresThe plundering of the temple and palace highlights the fleeting nature of material wealth. Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal treasures in heaven. The Importance of Humility and Seeking GodThe account underscores the need for humility and reliance on God rather than personal strength or wealth. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentThe event demonstrates God's control over nations and leaders, using them to fulfill His purposes and bring about judgment when necessary. Learning from HistoryReflecting on past events in Scripture can guide believers in making wise decisions and avoiding similar pitfalls. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the pride of Amaziah contribute to the events in 2 Kings 14:14, and what can we learn about the dangers of pride from other biblical examples? 2. In what ways does the plundering of the temple and palace illustrate the temporary nature of earthly possessions, and how does this relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? 3. How can we apply the lesson of humility and reliance on God from this passage to our personal lives and decision-making processes? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty and His use of nations and leaders to accomplish His purposes? 5. How can studying the historical events of Israel and Judah help us avoid similar mistakes in our spiritual journey today? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 25Provides a parallel account of Amaziah's reign and his conflict with Jehoash, offering additional details about the events leading to the plundering. 1 Kings 14:25-26Describes a similar event where treasures from the temple and royal palace were taken by Shishak, king of Egypt, highlighting a recurring theme of loss due to disobedience. Isaiah 39:6Prophesies the future plundering of Jerusalem by Babylon, showing a pattern of consequences for turning away from God. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, which can be related to the loss of earthly treasures in this passage. 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 Articles, Broken, Faith, Gold, Hostages, King's, Palace, Pledges, Price, Returned, Royal, Samaria, Sama'ria, Seized, Silver, Sons, Store-house, Temple, Treasures, Treasuries, Turneth, Utensils, VesselsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 14:14 4333 gold
4363 silver
5558 storing 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 2 Kings 14:13-14 5437 palaces 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 14:14 NIV2 Kings 14:14 NLT2 Kings 14:14 ESV2 Kings 14:14 NASB2 Kings 14:14 KJV
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