And conspirators plotted against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there. Then a conspiracy was formedThe Hebrew word for "conspiracy" is "קֶשֶׁר" (qesher), which implies a secret plan or treachery. In the context of ancient Israel, conspiracies often arose due to political unrest or dissatisfaction with leadership. This highlights the instability and the constant threat of rebellion that plagued the monarchies of Israel and Judah. The formation of a conspiracy against a king indicates a significant level of discontent and the willingness of individuals to take drastic measures to change leadership. against him in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the capital city, was the political and spiritual heart of the kingdom. It was a city of great significance, housing the Temple and serving as the center of Jewish worship. The fact that the conspiracy arose in Jerusalem suggests that the king's authority was being challenged at the very core of his reign. This internal threat within the capital underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for widespread impact on the nation. and he fled to Lachish
Lachish was a fortified city in the Shephelah region of Judah, known for its strategic military importance. The king's flight to Lachish indicates his attempt to seek refuge in a stronghold, away from the immediate threat in Jerusalem. This move reflects the desperation and urgency of the situation, as well as the king's awareness of the danger he faced. Lachish's historical significance as a military bastion is well-documented through archaeological findings, including the famous Lachish Reliefs. but they sent men after him to Lachish
The pursuit of the king to Lachish demonstrates the determination of the conspirators to eliminate him. This relentless pursuit signifies the depth of their resolve and the extent of their commitment to their cause. It also highlights the lack of safe havens for a king once his own people turn against him, emphasizing the precarious nature of royal power during this period. and killed him there
The assassination of the king in Lachish marks the culmination of the conspiracy. This act of regicide was not uncommon in the turbulent history of the Israelite and Judean monarchies. It serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of human authority and the consequences of political intrigue. The death of a king often led to further instability and power struggles, affecting the entire nation. This event calls believers to reflect on the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of men. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmaziahThe king of Judah who reigned after his father Joash. He is known for initially doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord but later turning away from God, which led to his downfall. 2. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where Amaziah reigned and where the conspiracy against him began. 3. LachishA fortified city in Judah to which Amaziah fled in an attempt to escape the conspiracy against him. It was a significant city during this period, often mentioned in military contexts. 4. ConspiracyA plot formed by Amaziah's own people, leading to his assassination. This reflects the political instability and the consequences of turning away from God. 5. AssassinationThe act of killing Amaziah, which was the culmination of the conspiracy against him. This event marks the end of his reign and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and disobedience to God. Teaching Points The Dangers of PrideAmaziah's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. Pride can lead to a fall, as it did with Amaziah, who initially followed God but later became self-reliant and disobedient. The Consequences of DisobedienceAmaziah's turning away from God resulted in political instability and ultimately his assassination. Disobedience to God can have severe consequences, both personally and for those around us. The Importance of Finishing WellAmaziah started his reign well but did not finish well. This teaches us the importance of remaining faithful to God throughout our lives, not just at the beginning. Seeking God's GuidanceInstead of relying on his own strength and wisdom, Amaziah should have sought God's guidance. This reminds us to seek God's will in all our decisions. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Amaziah's initial obedience to God, and how can we apply this to our own lives? 2. How does the conspiracy against Amaziah illustrate the consequences of turning away from God? Can you think of other biblical examples where disobedience led to downfall? 3. In what ways does pride manifest in our lives today, and how can we guard against it according to biblical teachings? 4. How does Amaziah's account encourage us to seek God's guidance in our decisions? What are some practical ways to do this? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for disobedience. How did that experience shape your relationship with God, and what steps did you take to realign with His will? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 25Provides a parallel account of Amaziah's reign, offering more details about his actions and the reasons for the conspiracy against him. 2 Kings 12Discusses the reign of Amaziah's father, Joash, and the similar pattern of starting well but eventually turning away from God, leading to downfall. Proverbs 16:18Highlights the theme of pride leading to destruction, which is evident in Amaziah's life as he became proud and turned away from God. Matthew 23:12Jesus' teaching on humility, which contrasts with Amaziah's pride and serves as a reminder of the importance of humility before God. 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 Conspiracy, Conspired, Death, Design, Fled, Fleeth, Flight, Jerusalem, Killed, Lachish, Secret, SlewDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 14:1-22 5366 king 2 Kings 14:17-19 5817 conspiracies 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 14:19 NIV2 Kings 14:19 NLT2 Kings 14:19 ESV2 Kings 14:19 NASB2 Kings 14:19 KJV
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