Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
Amaziah became king after a time of great political troubles in Judah. His father, Joash, had ordered the death of one of the leaders of the priests. That act caused two of his officials, Jozabad and Jehozabad, to plot against him. After Joash suffered an injury in the war against Aram, these two officials killed him in his bed (2 Kings 12:20-21; 2 Chronicles 24:17-26).
After that, it seems that Amaziah had to struggle to establish his own authority. He had to persuade the leaders of Judah to be loyal to him, and to support him. Probably, the two officials who had killed Joash, wanted to rule the nation themselves. However, it may be that some of the leaders wanted to appoint one of Amaziah’s brothers to be king.
In the end, the men who were loyal to Amaziah managed to arrest Jozabad and Jehozabad with their families. So, Amaziah had to decide what to do with them. Probably, his advisers told him to kill these men with their sons. By means of that powerful act, he would show himself to be a strong ruler. In that way, he could gain complete control over the country.
However, at this time, Amaziah cared about God’s law. So, he read in God’s law that he must not kill a son for his father’s crimes (Deuteronomy 24:16). He therefore ordered that only the murderers should die (Numbers 35:30-34). So, at the start of his rule, Amaziah chose to do what is right. It was a wise decision.
Next part: Amaziah's war against Edom (2 Kings 14:7)
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