Amaziah, the son of Joash, was the ninth king of Judah, reigning in Jerusalem for 29 years during the 8th century BC. His reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. Amaziah's life and reign provide a complex portrait of a king who began his rule with a measure of faithfulness to God but ultimately turned away, leading to his downfall.

Early Reign and Faithfulness

Amaziah ascended to the throne after the assassination of his father, Joash. Initially, he demonstrated a commitment to the Mosaic Law. One of his first acts as king was to execute the servants who had killed his father, but he adhered to the law by not putting their children to death, as it is written: "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).

Military Campaigns and Apostasy

Amaziah's military endeavors were marked by both success and failure. He organized a formidable army and successfully waged war against the Edomites, capturing Sela and renaming it Joktheel (2 Kings 14:7). However, his decision to hire mercenaries from Israel, a nation steeped in idolatry at the time, was a significant misstep. A prophet warned him against this alliance, and Amaziah wisely sent the mercenaries home, albeit at a financial loss (2 Chronicles 25:7-10).

Despite this initial obedience, Amaziah's heart turned away from God following his victory over Edom. He brought back the gods of the Edomites and began to worship them, bowing down and burning incense to them. This act of apostasy provoked the Lord's anger, and a prophet confronted Amaziah, questioning his logic: "Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver their own people from your hand?" (2 Chronicles 25:15).

Pride and Downfall

Amaziah's apostasy was compounded by his pride. Emboldened by his victory over Edom, he challenged Jehoash, king of Israel, to battle. Despite a warning from Jehoash, who likened Amaziah to a thistle challenging a cedar, Amaziah persisted in his arrogance (2 Kings 14:8-10). The ensuing battle at Beth-shemesh resulted in a humiliating defeat for Judah. Jehoash captured Amaziah, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and plundered the temple and palace treasuries (2 Kings 14:11-14).

Assassination and Legacy

Amaziah's reign ended in conspiracy and assassination, mirroring the fate of his father. After fleeing to Lachish, he was killed by his own officials, and his body was brought back to Jerusalem for burial (2 Kings 14:19-20). His apostasy and pride serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of turning away from God and relying on one's own strength and wisdom.

Amaziah's life is a sobering reminder of the importance of steadfast faithfulness to God. His initial obedience and subsequent apostasy illustrate the peril of allowing pride and idolatry to take root in one's heart, leading to spiritual and political ruin.2 Chronicles 25:14,27
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Prophet Amos.
... Pg 362] to the transactions between Amos and the high priest Amaziah, which were ...
together for good." So early as in Deuteronomy 32:24, apostates are threatened ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

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