But Amaziah would not listen, and Jehoash king of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh in Judah. But Amaziah would not listenThe phrase highlights Amaziah's stubbornness and pride. The Hebrew root for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but obeying or heeding advice. In the biblical context, listening is often associated with wisdom and humility. Amaziah's refusal to listen indicates a heart hardened against counsel, a recurring theme in the Old Testament where leaders fall due to pride. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking and heeding godly wisdom. and Jehoash king of Israel advanced
The term "advanced" suggests a deliberate and strategic move. Jehoash, whose name means "Yahweh has given," was a king who, despite his flaws, was used by God to fulfill divine purposes. The historical context here is a period of division and conflict between Israel and Judah, illustrating the consequences of a divided kingdom. Jehoash's advance is not just a military maneuver but a fulfillment of God's sovereign plan, reminding believers of God's control over nations and leaders. and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other
The phrase "faced each other" indicates a confrontation, both physical and spiritual. The Hebrew word for "faced" can also mean to stand or present oneself, suggesting a moment of reckoning. This confrontation is emblematic of the larger spiritual battles that occur when leaders act out of pride rather than seeking God's guidance. It serves as a metaphor for the internal and external conflicts believers face when they stray from God's path. at Beth-shemesh in Judah
Beth-shemesh, meaning "house of the sun," was a Levitical city in Judah. Its mention here is significant as it was a place of historical and religious importance. Archaeological findings suggest it was a fortified city, indicating its strategic importance. The location underscores the gravity of the conflict, as battles in significant places often symbolize deeper spiritual truths. For the believer, it serves as a reminder of the spiritual battlegrounds in our lives, where we must choose between pride and humility, self-reliance and dependence on God. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmaziahKing of Judah, son of Joash. Known for his initial obedience to God but later pride and idolatry. 2. Jehoash (Joash)King of Israel, son of Jehoahaz. Engaged in conflict with Amaziah. 3. Beth-shemeshA city in Judah where the confrontation between Amaziah and Jehoash took place. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom, ruled by Amaziah during this period. 5. IsraelThe northern kingdom, ruled by Jehoash during this period. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideAmaziah's refusal to listen to wise counsel and his subsequent defeat illustrate the destructive nature of pride. Believers are called to humility and to seek God's wisdom in all decisions. The Importance of Listening to Godly CounselAmaziah's downfall was partly due to ignoring advice. Christians should value and seek out godly counsel, especially when making significant decisions. Consequences of DisobedienceAmaziah's account is a reminder that disobedience to God can lead to severe consequences. Obedience to God's Word should be a priority in a believer's life. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite human pride and plans, God's purposes prevail. Trusting in God's sovereignty brings peace and assurance, even in challenging situations. Learning from HistoryThe accounts of past kings like Amaziah serve as lessons for contemporary believers. Reflecting on these accounts can guide us in making wise choices today. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Amaziah's refusal to listen to counsel, and how can we apply this lesson in our daily lives? 2. How does the account of Amaziah and Jehoash illustrate the biblical principle of pride leading to a fall? Can you think of other biblical examples? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are open to receiving and acting upon godly counsel in our lives? 4. How does understanding God's sovereignty help us navigate conflicts and challenges in our own lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision similar to Amaziah's. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future choices? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 25Provides a parallel account of Amaziah's reign and his conflict with Jehoash, offering additional insights into his character and decisions. Proverbs 16:18Highlights the theme of pride leading to downfall, which is evident in Amaziah's actions. 1 Samuel 15:22-23Discusses the importance of obedience over sacrifice, relevant to Amaziah's failure to heed God's warnings. Galatians 6:7The principle of sowing and reaping is evident in Amaziah's prideful actions leading to his defeat. James 4:6Emphasizes God's opposition to the proud, a theme reflected in Amaziah's account. 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 Amaziah, Amazi'ah, Attacked, Attention, Battle, Belongeth, Belongs, Beth, Bethshemesh, Beth-shemesh, Beth-she'mesh, Face, Faced, Hearkened, However, Jehoash, Jeho'ash, Judah, Judah's, Listen, ShemeshDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 14:11 5814 confrontation 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 14:11 NIV2 Kings 14:11 NLT2 Kings 14:11 ESV2 Kings 14:11 NASB2 Kings 14:11 KJV
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