2 Kings 14:1-9 ▼

1 In the second year of the reign of Israel's King Joash son of Joahaz, Joash's son Amaziah became king over Judah.

2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jehoaddan, who was from Jerusalem.

3 He did what the LORD approved, but not like David his father. He followed the example of his father Joash.

4 But the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places.

5 When he had secured control of the kingdom, he executed the servants who had assassinated his father.

6 But he did not execute the sons of the assassins. He obeyed the LORD's commandment as recorded in the law scroll of Moses, |Fathers must not be put to death for what their sons do, and sons must not be put to death for what their fathers do. A man must be put to death only for his own sin.|

7 He defeated 10,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley; he captured Sela in battle and renamed it Joktheel, a name it has retained to this very day.

8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel. He said, |Come, let's meet face to face.|

9 King Jehoash of Israel sent this message back to King Amaziah of Judah, |A thornbush in Lebanon sent this message to a cedar in Lebanon, 'Give your daughter to my son as a wife.' Then a wild animal of Lebanon came by and trampled down the thorn.