2 Kings 14:1-13 ▼

1 In the second year of the reign of Jehoash \Joash/ son of Jehoahaz (YHWH has grasped) over Israel (he wrestles with God), Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) son of Joash (given by the Lord) became king of Judah (praised).

2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan (YHWH delights); she was from Jerusalem.

3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH}, but not as his father David had done (beloved). He did everything as his father Joash (given by the Lord) had done.

4 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

5 As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king.

6 Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses (drawn out), where the LORD {YHWH} commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin .”

7 Amaziah struck down 10,000 Edomites (red) in the Valley of Salt. He took Sela (the rock) in battle and called it Joktheel (the blessedness of God), which is its name to this very day.

8 Then Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) sent messengers to the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) Jehoash (given by the Lord) son of Jehoahaz (YHWH has seized), the son of Jehu (YHWH is He). “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.

9 But Jehoash (given by the Lord) king of Israel (he wrestles with God) replied to Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) king of Judah (praised): “A thistle in Lebanon (whiteness) sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.

10 You have indeed defeated Edom (red), and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah (praised) with you?”

11 But Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) would not listen, so Jehoash (given by the Lord) king of Israel (he wrestles with God) advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah (praised) faced each other at Beth-shemesh (house of the sun) in Judah.

12 And Judah (praised) was routed before Israel (he wrestles with God), and every man fled to his home.

13 There at Beth-shemesh (house of the sun), Jehoash (given by the Lord) king of Israel (he wrestles with God) captured Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) king of Judah (praised), the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah (YHWH holds). Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem (city of peace) and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim (doubly fruitful) Gate to the Corner Gate—a section of four hundred cubits <600 ft / 182.9 m>.