Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
The Bible has already introduced to us Jehoash, the king of northern and central Israel (13:10-25). It now introduces Amaziah, king of Judah (southern Israel), who became his enemy. In some ways, these two rulers were similar in their attitudes. They both respected the true God and his prophets (holy men) deeply - but they both allowed idols (the images that people use in religion) to tempt them into wrong religions.
Amaziah was king of Judah for 29 years. For the first half of his rule, he was one of Judah's best kings. He did not, like David, love God with all his heart. However, like his father Joash, he was loyal to God during the first part of his rule; and he obeyed God’s law.
During that first half of his rule, he only neglected God’s law in one important matter. That matter was the law in Deuteronomy 12:1-14. That passage directs God’s people not to carry out their acts of religion in the hills. Instead, they must go to the temple (God’s house) in Jerusalem for their sacred holidays and to offer gifts to God. However, like most of the kings, Amaziah allowed the people to gather and to offer gifts to God in the hills.
The second half of Amaziah’s rule was very different. After a successful war against Edom, Amaziah brought back idols from Edom. He chose to serve those idols as his gods (2 Chronicles 25:14-15). He then proudly decided to attack northern and central Israel. Jehoash defeated him in war and, for a time, he became the prisoner of Jehoash (14:12-13).
Next part: Amaziah orders the deaths of the men who killed Joash (2 Kings 14:5-6)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2025, Keith Simons.