◄ 2 Kings 14:5 ►
As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king.
Study Bible
As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp
This phrase indicates a moment of consolidation and stability in Amaziah's reign. The Hebrew root for "firmly" (חָזַק, chazaq) conveys strength and courage, suggesting that Amaziah had established control and authority over the kingdom. Historically, this period in Judah was marked by political instability, and securing the throne was crucial for any king. The phrase implies that Amaziah waited until he had full control before taking decisive action, reflecting wisdom and prudence in leadership.

Amaziah
Amaziah, whose name means "Yahweh is mighty," was the son of Joash and the king of Judah. His reign is noted for both his initial faithfulness to God and his later failures. The historical context of his reign includes a time of relative peace and prosperity, but also the looming threat of external enemies. His actions in this verse set the stage for his character and the moral decisions he would face as king.

executed the servants
The Hebrew word for "executed" (הִכָּה, hikah) can also mean "struck down" or "killed," indicating a decisive and perhaps violent action. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of retributive justice, where those who committed regicide were often put to death to restore order and justice. The term "servants" (עֲבָדִים, avadim) refers to those who were in the service of the king, highlighting the betrayal and treachery involved in the murder of Amaziah's father.

who had murdered his father the king
This phrase underscores the gravity of the crime committed against Amaziah's father, Joash. The Hebrew root for "murdered" (מוּת, mut) emphasizes the unlawful and violent nature of the act. In the historical context, the murder of a king was not only a personal tragedy but also a national crisis, threatening the stability of the kingdom. Amaziah's execution of the murderers was an act of justice, aimed at avenging his father's death and deterring future treason.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Amaziah
The king of Judah who succeeded his father Joash. He is noted for his initial obedience to God's laws but later faltered in his faithfulness.

2. Joash
Amaziah's father, the previous king of Judah, who was assassinated by his own servants.

3. The Servants
These are the individuals who conspired against and killed King Joash, leading to their execution by Amaziah.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Amaziah reigned as king.

5. The Kingdom
Refers to the political and territorial domain over which Amaziah ruled, which he secured before taking action against his father's murderers.
Teaching Points
Justice and Righteousness
Amaziah's actions demonstrate a commitment to justice by punishing those directly responsible for his father's murder. This reflects the biblical principle of justice, where wrongdoing is addressed appropriately.

Adherence to God's Law
Amaziah's decision to execute only the guilty parties aligns with the Mosaic Law, which emphasizes individual responsibility. This teaches us the importance of aligning our actions with God's commandments.

The Danger of Partial Obedience
While Amaziah initially followed God's law, his later actions showed a decline in faithfulness. This serves as a warning about the dangers of partial obedience and the need for consistent faithfulness.

Leadership and Responsibility
As a leader, Amaziah took decisive action to secure his kingdom and administer justice. This highlights the responsibility of leaders to act justly and uphold righteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Amaziah's execution of his father's murderers reflect the biblical principle of justice, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives?

2. In what ways does Amaziah's adherence to the Mosaic Law in this situation serve as an example for us today in following God's commandments?

3. Considering Amaziah's later actions, what can we learn about the importance of maintaining consistent obedience to God throughout our lives?

4. How does the principle of individual responsibility for sin, as seen in Amaziah's actions, challenge or affirm our understanding of justice in today's context?

5. Reflecting on Romans 12:19, how can we balance the pursuit of justice with the call to leave vengeance to God in our personal and communal lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 24:16
This verse emphasizes the principle of individual responsibility for sin, which is reflected in Amaziah's decision to execute only the murderers of his father, not their families.

2 Chronicles 25:3-4
This passage parallels 2 Kings 14:5 and provides additional context about Amaziah's actions, highlighting his adherence to the Mosaic Law.

Romans 12:19
This New Testament verse speaks to the concept of leaving vengeance to God, contrasting with Amaziah's actions and prompting reflection on justice and mercy.
Sermons
Amaziah Doing RightJ. Orr 2 Kings 14:1-7
Significant Facts in God's GovernmentD. Thomas 2 Kings 14:1-29
People
Ahaziah, Amaziah, Amittai, Azariah, David, Edomites, Hepher, Jehoaddan, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jehu, Jeroboam, Joahaz, Joash, Jonah, Nebat, Zachariah, Zechariah
Places
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 Salt
Topics
Confirmed, Death, Established, Executed, Firmly, Grasp, Killed, Kingdom, Murdered, Officials, Pass, Power, Royal, Servants, Slain, Slew, Smiteth, Smiting, Smitten, Straight, Strong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 14:1-22

     5366   king

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 Testament

The 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

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