Amaziah's Reign and Obedience
He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not like his father David (2 Kings 14:3). Amaziah's reign began with a commitment to righteousness, but it was incomplete, highlighting the importance of wholehearted devotion to God.

Justice and Mercy
Amaziah executed the officials who had murdered his father but spared their children, in accordance with the Law of Moses: Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers (2 Kings 14:6). This act underscores the balance between justice and mercy.

Pride and Its Consequences
Amaziah's pride led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel, resulting in a disastrous defeat for Judah (2 Kings 14:8-14). This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and overconfidence.

The Importance of Heeding Warnings
Jehoash's parable (2 Kings 14:9-10) was a warning to Amaziah, which he ignored. This illustrates the importance of listening to wise counsel and warnings.Wholehearted Devotion
Strive to serve God with complete devotion, not just partial obedience. Reflect on areas in your life where you may be holding back from fully following God's commands.

Balancing Justice and Mercy
In your interactions with others, seek to balance justice with mercy, following the example set by Amaziah in sparing the children of the guilty.

Guard Against Pride
Regularly examine your heart for pride and seek humility, recognizing that pride can lead to downfall and destruction.

Listen to Wise Counsel
Be open to receiving and heeding warnings and advice from others, especially when they align with biblical principles.1. Amaziah
He is the king of Judah, the son of Joash. Amaziah began his reign at the age of 25 and reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. He is noted for doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD, though not like his ancestor David (2 Kings 14:1-3).

2. Joash (Jehoash)
The father of Amaziah and former king of Judah. His reign is referenced in relation to Amaziah's lineage and actions (2 Kings 14:1).

3. Jehoash (Joash) of Israel
The king of Israel during Amaziah's reign in Judah. He is the son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu. He engaged in conflict with Amaziah (2 Kings 14:8-14).

4. Jehoahaz
The father of Jehoash (Joash) of Israel. His lineage is mentioned to establish the background of Jehoash (2 Kings 14:8).

5. Jehu
The grandfather of Jehoash (Joash) of Israel. His mention helps trace the royal lineage of the kings of Israel (2 Kings 14:8).

6. David
The former king of Israel, mentioned as a standard of righteousness against which Amaziah's reign is compared (2 Kings 14:3).

7. Elisha
The prophet whose death is referenced in the context of the events during the reign of Jehoash of Israel (2 Kings 14:15).

8. Jeroboam II
The son of Jehoash (Joash) of Israel, who succeeded his father as king. His reign is noted for the restoration of Israel's boundaries (2 Kings 14:23-25).

9. Jonah
The prophet, son of Amittai, who prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II. His prophecy is mentioned in relation to the expansion of Israel's territory (2 Kings 14:25).

10. Amittai
The father of Jonah, mentioned to establish Jonah's prophetic authority (2 Kings 14:25).1. Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital city of Judah, where Amaziah, the king of Judah, reigned. It is a significant city in biblical history, often associated with the temple and the Davidic line of kings. In Hebrew, Jerusalem is "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim).

2. Edom
Edom is a region southeast of Judah, inhabited by the descendants of Esau. In 2 Kings 14, Amaziah led a campaign against Edom and achieved victory. The Hebrew name for Edom is "אֱדוֹם" (Edom), which means "red."

3. Sela
Sela is a city in Edom that Amaziah captured and renamed Joktheel. The name "Sela" in Hebrew is "סֶלַע" (Sela), meaning "rock," indicating its strategic and fortified nature.

4. Beth-shemesh
Beth-shemesh is a city in Judah where Amaziah faced Jehoash, king of Israel, in battle. The name in Hebrew is "בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ" (Beit Shemesh), meaning "house of the sun."

5. Samaria
Samaria is the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel. Jehoash, the king of Israel, captured Amaziah at Beth-shemesh and brought him to Samaria. In Hebrew, Samaria is "שֹׁמְרוֹן" (Shomron).1. Amaziah's Reign Begins
Amaziah, the son of Joash, becomes king of Judah. He begins his reign at the age of 25 and rules for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name is Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. (2 Kings 14:1-2)

2. Amaziah's Righteousness
Amaziah does what is right in the eyes of the LORD, but not like his ancestor David. He follows the example of his father Joash. However, the high places are not removed, and the people continue to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (2 Kings 14:3-4)

3. Execution of the Murderers
Amaziah executes the officials who had murdered his father, King Joash. However, he does not put the children of the murderers to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin." (2 Kings 14:5-6)

4. War Against Edom
Amaziah gathers his forces and strikes down 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also captures Sela in battle and renames it Joktheel, which remains its name to this day. (2 Kings 14:7)

5. Challenge to Jehoash of Israel
Amaziah sends messengers to Jehoash, king of Israel, challenging him to face him in battle. (2 Kings 14:8)

6. Jehoash's Response
Jehoash responds with a parable, warning Amaziah of the consequences of pride and advising him to stay at home. He compares Amaziah to a thistle in Lebanon that wants to marry a cedar. (2 Kings 14:9-10)

7. Battle at Beth-shemesh
Despite Jehoash's warning, Amaziah does not heed it, and they meet in battle at Beth-shemesh in Judah. Judah is defeated by Israel, and every man flees to his home. (2 Kings 14:11-12)

8. Capture of Amaziah
Jehoash captures Amaziah, king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh. He then goes to Jerusalem and breaks down 400 cubits of the wall from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate. (2 Kings 14:13)

9. Plundering of Jerusalem
Jehoash takes all the gold and silver, and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king's house, along with hostages, and returns to Samaria. (2 Kings 14:14)

10. Death of Jehoash
Jehoash dies and is buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. His son Jeroboam succeeds him as king. (2 Kings 14:15-16)

11. Amaziah's Later Years and Death
Amaziah lives for 15 years after the death of Jehoash. A conspiracy is formed against him in Jerusalem, and he flees to Lachish, but he is pursued and killed there. He is brought back on horses and buried in Jerusalem with his ancestors in the City of David. (2 Kings 14:17-20)

12. Azariah Becomes King
All the people of Judah take Azariah, who is 16 years old, and make him king in place of his father Amaziah. He rebuilds Elath and restores it to Judah after Amaziah's death. (2 Kings 14:21-22)

13. Summary of Jeroboam II's Reign
Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, reigns in Israel for 41 years. He does evil in the sight of the LORD, continuing the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat. However, he restores the boundaries of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, fulfilling the word of the LORD spoken through Jonah son of Amittai. (2 Kings 14:23-25)

14. The LORD's Compassion
The LORD sees the bitter affliction of Israel and saves them through Jeroboam II, not allowing their name to be blotted out. (2 Kings 14:26-27)

15. Death of Jeroboam II
Jeroboam II dies and is buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. His son Zechariah succeeds him as king. (2 Kings 14:28-29) Wholehearted Devotion
Compare with 1 Kings 11:4, where Solomon's heart was not fully devoted to the LORD.

Justice and Mercy
Reflect on Micah 6:8, which calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Pride and Consequences
Proverbs 16:18 warns that pride goes before destruction, a theme evident in Amaziah's story.

Heeding Warnings
Proverbs 12:15 emphasizes the wisdom of listening to advice.Pray for a heart fully devoted to God, seeking to follow Him in all areas of life.

Ask for wisdom to balance justice and mercy in your relationships and decisions.

Seek humility and protection against pride, asking God to reveal any areas of arrogance in your life.

Pray for discernment to recognize and heed wise counsel and warnings from others.

As we study 2 Kings 14, may we learn from Amaziah's successes and failures, applying these lessons to our own lives to grow in faith and obedience to God.

1. How did Amaziah's actions reflect the balance of justice and mercy in Deuteronomy 24:16?

2. In verses 7-14, how did pride and ambition lead to Amaziah's downfall?

3. How does Jehoash's parable speak to the potential consequences of overestimating one's strength or capabilities?

4. How does the story of Amaziah challenge us to consider our response to warnings and advice today?

5. How did the consequences of Amaziah's defiance affect not just him but the whole of Judah?

6. Considering verses 15-22, how does the transfer of power in these verses reflect on the stability or instability of leadership in Israel and Judah?

7. How do the reigns of these kings reflect their spiritual state and their relationship with God?

8. What lessons can we take from the life of Jeroboam II, particularly with respect to God’s mercy and punishment?

9. How does Jonah’s prophecy and its fulfillment showcase God's compassion despite the failures of Israel's leadership?

10. How does this chapter contribute to our understanding of God's sovereignty and patience with His people?

11. How might the outcomes of these leaders' actions have been different if they had wholly followed the Lord's commandments?

12. How can we apply the lessons about pride and humility from this chapter to our lives today?

13. In today's society, where can we see the consequences of leaders ignoring wise counsel, similar to Amaziah?

14. What do the events of this chapter teach us about the relationship between our actions and their consequences?

15. How do the reigns of Amaziah and Jeroboam II inform our understanding of the relationship between political power and spiritual obedience?

16. In what ways do the themes of mercy and judgment manifest in our own lives?

17. What aspects of God's character can we learn from His treatment of Israel and Judah in this chapter?

18. How might we interpret and apply the prophetic messages in this chapter in our current context?

19. How does this chapter inspire us to act differently in positions of leadership or influence?

20. In your personal life, how can you prevent ambition from leading to pride and downfall as it did with Amaziah?