Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, whose reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. He ascended to the throne following the assassination of his father, Joash, and his reign is marked by a mixture of obedience to God and significant failures.

Early Reign and Obedience

Amaziah began his reign with a commitment to justice and adherence to the Mosaic Law. One of his first acts as king was to execute the officials who had murdered his father, but he notably spared their children, in obedience to the commandment found in 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 14:6; cf. Deuteronomy 24:16). This act demonstrated Amaziah's initial desire to rule in accordance with God's statutes.

Military Campaigns and Reliance on God

Amaziah's reign included military campaigns aimed at strengthening Judah's position. He organized an army and hired 100,000 mercenaries from Israel to bolster his forces against Edom. However, a man of God warned him against relying on Israel, a nation that had turned away from the Lord. The prophet advised, "O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites" (2 Chronicles 25:7). Amaziah heeded this warning, dismissing the hired troops and trusting in the Lord for victory. This act of obedience was rewarded with a decisive victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, where Amaziah's forces killed ten thousand Edomite soldiers and captured the city of Sela (2 Chronicles 25:11-12).

Turning Away from God

Despite his initial obedience, Amaziah's reign was marred by a significant spiritual failure. After his victory over Edom, he brought back the gods of the Edomites and set them up as his own, bowing down to them and burning sacrifices. This idolatry provoked the anger of the Lord, who sent a prophet to rebuke Amaziah: "Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver their own people from your hand?" (2 Chronicles 25:15). Amaziah's refusal to heed this warning marked a turning point in his reign, leading to his downfall.

Conflict with Israel and Downfall

Amaziah's pride and reliance on foreign gods led him to challenge Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle. Despite a warning from Jehoash, Amaziah persisted, resulting in a disastrous defeat for Judah at Beth-shemesh. Jehoash captured Amaziah, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and plundered the temple and royal palace (2 Kings 14:13-14).

Amaziah's reign ended in conspiracy and assassination, similar to his father's fate. He fled to Lachish, but his pursuers killed him there. His body was brought back to Jerusalem and buried with his ancestors in the City of David (2 Kings 14:19-20).

Amaziah's reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of pride and idolatry, illustrating the importance of steadfast obedience to God. His initial acts of justice and reliance on divine guidance were overshadowed by his later apostasy, demonstrating the peril of turning away from the Lord.