Judah’s King Amaziah

1Ina the second year of Israel’s King Jehoashb, c son of Jehoahaz,d Amaziahe son of Joash became king of Judah. 2He was 25 years old when he became king and reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddanf and was from Jerusalem. 3He did what was right in the LORD’s sight, but not like his ancestor David. He did everything his father Joash had done.g 4Yet the •high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.h

5As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah killed his servants who had murdered his father the king.i 6However, he did not put the children of the murderers to death, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses where the LORD commanded, “Fathers must not be put to death because of children, and children must not be put to death because of fathers; instead, each one will be put to death for his own sin.”j

7Amaziah killed 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.k He took Selal in battle and called it Joktheel,m which is its name to this very day. 8Amaziah then sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us meet face to face.”n

9King Jehoash of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon once sent a message to the cedaro that was in Lebanon,p saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as a wife.’ Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. 10You have indeed defeated Edom, and you have become overconfident.q Enjoy your glory and stay at home. Why should you stir up such trouble that you fall — you and Judah with you? ”

11But Amaziah would not listen, so King Jehoash of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced off at Beth-shemeshr that belongs to Judah. 12Judah was routed before Israel, and everyone fled to his own tent.s 13King Jehoash of Israel captured Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash,t son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down 200 yardsu of Jerusalem’s wall from the Ephraim Gatev to the Corner Gate.w 14He took all the gold and silver, all the articles found in the LORD’s temple and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and some hostages.x Then he returned to Samaria.

Jehoash’s Death

15The rest of the events of Jehoash’s reign, along with his accomplishments, his might, and how he waged war against Amaziah king of Judah, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.y 16Jehoash rested with his fathers, and he was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. His son Jeroboam became king in his place.

Amaziah’s Death

17Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash lived 15 years after the death of Israel’s King Jehoash son of Jehoahaz.z 18The rest of the events of Amaziah’s reign are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.aa 19A conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem,ab and he fled to Lachish.ac However, men were sent after him to Lachish, and they put him to death there. 20They carried him backad on horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.ae

21Then all the people of Judah took Azariah,af, ag who was 16 years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 22He rebuilt Elathah, ai and restored it to Judah after Amaziah the king rested with his fathers.

Israel’s King Jeroboam

23In the fifteenth year of Judah’s King Amaziah son of Joash, Jeroboamaj son of Jehoashak became king of Israel in Samaria and reigned 41 years. 24He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He did not turn away from all the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.al

25He restored Israel’s borderam from Lebo-hamathan as far as the Sea of the •Arabah,ao according to the word the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant, the prophet Jonahap son of Amittai from Gath-hepher.aq 26For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter.ar There was no one to help Israel, neither bond nor free. 27However, the LORD had not said He would blot out the name of Israel under heaven,as so He deliveredat them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.au

28The rest of the events of Jeroboam’s reign — along with all his accomplishments, the power he had to wage war, and how he recovered for Israel Damascusav and Hamath,aw which had belonged to Judahax — are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings.ay 29Jeroboam rested with his fathers, the kings of Israel. His son Zechariah became king in his place.az