Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
As a young man, Amaziah had served God loyally (14:3). However, his success in battle caused him to turn away from God. He chose to serve the false gods of Edom, the nation that he had just defeated (2 Chronicles 25:14-15). He developed proud attitudes (14:9-10) – and the result for Amaziah was a terrible defeat in war against northern and central Israel.
In that war, Amaziah lost his wealth (14:14) and even his own freedom (14:13). He became a prisoner of Jehoash, the king of northern and central Israel. Amaziah had to pay a great price to obtain his freedom.
Amaziah lived for 15 years after Jehoash’s death. However those were not pleasant years. Judah had become a poor and weak nation after its defeat by Jehoash. Amaziah was able to return to rule in Jerusalem again – but now, he had many enemies (2 Chronicles 25:27). He was the king – but the people in Jerusalem no longer really trusted him. They tried to kill him, and he had to escape from there.
He made his new home in Lachish, a town near to Judah’s border with Philistia. It was about 30 miles (50 kilometres) south-west of Jerusalem. We do not know who controlled Judah’s government at this time. When there was no national government, the tradition was to accept the rule of the elders of each town. The elders were the old men who led the principal families in that town.
In the end, Amaziah was not safe, even in Lachish. His enemies sent men to murder him there. However, after his death, Judah’s people wanted to remember him with honour. They arranged a royal funeral for him.
Next part: Azariah, also called Uzziah (2 Kings 14:21-22)
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