II Kings 14
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the second year of Joash - This second year should be understood as referring to the time when his father Jehoahaz associated him with himself in the kingdom: for he reigned two years with his father; so this second year of Joash is the first of his absolute and independent government. - See Calmet.
Open source ↗AMAZIAH'S GOOD REIGN OVER JUDAH. (Kg2 14:1-6) He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father--The beginning of his reign was excellent, for he acted the part of a constitutional king, according to the law of God, yet not with perfect sincerity of heart (compare Ch2 25:2). As in the case of his father Joash, the early promise was belied by the devious course he personally followed in later life (see Ch2 20:14), as well as by the public irregularities he tolerated in the kingdom.
Open source ↗In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah. As Joash king of Israel began to reign in the thirty seventh of Joash king of Judah, Kg2 13:10, who reigned forty years, Amaziah must therefore begin his reign in the fourth of Joash king of Israel; this therefore must be understood of his second year after he reigned alone, for he reigned two or three years in his father's lifetime. , who reigned forty years, Amaziah must therefore begin his reign in the fourth of Joash king of Israel; this therefore must be understood of his second year after he reigned alone, for he reigned two or three years in his father's lifetime. 2 Kings 14:2 kg2 14:2 kg2 14:2 kg2 14:2He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem,.... Fourteen years contemporary with Joash king of Israel, who reigned sixteen years, Kg2 13:10 and fifteen after him, Kg2 14:17, and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem; of whom we nowhere else read,
Open source ↗Reign of Amaziah of Judah (cf. 2 Chron 25). - Kg2 14:1-7. Length and spirit of his reign, and his victory over the Edomites. - Kg2 14:1. Amaziah began to reign in the second year of Joash of Israel. Now as Joash of Israel ascended the throne, according to Kg2 13:10, in the thirty-seventh year of Joash of Judah, the latter cannot have reigned thirty-nine full years, which might be reckoned as forty (Kg2 12:1), according to the principle of reckoning the current years as complete years, if the commencement of his reign took place a month or two before Nisan, and his death occurred a month or two after, without its being necessary to assume a regency. Kg2 14:2-4 Amaziah reigned twenty-nine years in the same theocratical spirit as his father Joash, only not like his ancestor David, i.e., according to the correct explanation in Ch2 25:2, not with שׁלם לבב (see at Kg1 11:4), since Amaziah, like his father Joash (see at Kg2 12:3), fell into idolatry in the closing years of his reign (cf. Ch2 25:14.). - Only the high places were not taken away, etc. Kg2 14:5-6 After establishing his own government, he punished the murderers of his father with death; but, according to the law in Deu 24:16, he did not slay their children also, as was commonly the custom in the East in ancient times, and may very frequently have been done in Israel as well. The Chethb ימוּת is correct, and the Keri ימת is an unnecessary alteration made after Deuteronomy. Kg2 14:7 The brief account of the defeat of the Edomites in the Salt Valley and of the taking of the city of Sela is completed by Ch2 25:6-16. According to the latter, Amaziah sought to strengthen his own considerable army by the addition of 100,000 Israelitish mercenaries; but at the exhortation of a prophet he sent the hired Israelites away agai…
Open source ↗Amaziah, the son and successor of Joash, is the king whom here we have an account of. Let us take a view of him, I. In the temple; and there he acted, in some measure, well, like Joash, but not like David, Kg2 14:3. He began well, but did not persevere: He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, kept up his attendance on God's altars and his attention to God's word, yet not like David. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the usage, but we must do it as they did it, from the same principle of faith and devotion and with the same sincerity and resolution. It is here taken notice of, as before, that the high places were not taken away, Kg2 14:4. It is hard to get clear of those corruptions which, by long usage, have gained both prescription and a favourable opinion. II. On the bench; and there we have him doing justice on the traitors that murdered his father, not as soon as ever he came to the crown, lest it should occasion some disturbance, but he prudently deferred it till the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, Kg2 14:5. To weaken a factious party gradually, when it is not safe to provoke, often proves the way to ruin it effectually. Justice strikes surely by striking slowly, and is often executed most prudently when it is not executed presently. Wisdom here is profitable to direct. Amaziah did thus, 1. According to the rule of the law, that ancient rule, that he that sheds man's blood by man shall his blood be shed. Never let traitors or murderers expect to come to their graves like other men. Let them flee to the pit, and let no man stay them. 2. Under the limitation of the law: The children of the murderers he slew not, because the law of Moses had expressly provided that the children should not be put to death f…
Open source ↗14:1-2 The twenty-nine years of Amaziah’s reign (796–767 BC) included a long co-regency with his son Uzziah (from 792 BC).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יוֹאָשׁ (Yôwʼâsh, H3101) — Joash, the name of six Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹאָחָז (Yôwʼâchâz, H3099) — Joachaz, the name of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אֲמַצְיָה (ʼĂmatsyâh, H558) — Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… תֵּשַׁע (têshaʻ, H8672) — nine or (ordinal) ninth יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהוֹעַדִּין (Yᵉhôwʻaddîyn, H3086) — Jehoaddin or Jehoaddan, an Israelitess
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רַק (raq, H7535) — properly, leanness, i.e. (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יוֹאָשׁ (Yôwʼâsh, H3101) — Joash, the name of six Israelites
Open source ↗בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) עוֹד (ʻôwd, H5750) — properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition),… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
Open source ↗מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) מֶלַח (melach, H4417) — properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… סֶלַע (Çelaʻ, H5554) — Sela, the rock-city of Idumaea מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יׇקְתְאֵל (Yoqthᵉʼêl, H3371) — Joktheel, the name of a place in Palestine, and of one in Idumaea יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אֲמַצְיָה (ʼĂmatsyâh, H558) — Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהוֹאָשׁ (Yᵉhôwʼâsh, H3060) — Jehoash, the name of two Israelite kings בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוֹאָחָז (Yᵉhôwʼâchâz, H3059) — Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗יְהוֹאָשׁ (Yᵉhôwʼâsh, H3060) — Jehoash, the name of two Israelite kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֲמַצְיָה (ʼĂmatsyâh, H558) — Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חוֹחַ (chôwach, H2336) — a thorn; by analogy, a ring forthe nose לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) גָּרָה (gârâh, H1624) — properly, to grate, i.e. (figuratively) to anger רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗אֲמַצְיָה (ʼĂmatsyâh, H558) — Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יְהוֹאָשׁ (Yᵉhôwʼâsh, H3060) — Jehoash, the name of two Israelite kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (Bêyth Shemesh, H1053) — Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… נָגַף (nâgaph, H5062) — to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗יְהוֹאָשׁ (Yᵉhôwʼâsh, H3060) — Jehoash, the name of two Israelite kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… אֲמַצְיָה (ʼĂmatsyâh, H558) — Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֲחַזְיָה (ʼĂchazyâh, H274) — Achazjah, the name of a Jewish and an Israelite king בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (Bêyth Shemesh, H1053) — Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אוֹצָר (ʼôwtsâr, H214) — a depository מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… תַּעֲרֻבָה (taʻărubâh, H8594) — suretyship, i.e. (concretely) a pledge שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
In the thirty-seventh year of the reign of Joash over Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
As for the rest of the acts of Jehoash, along with his accomplishments, his might, and how he waged war against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?