Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 14
2 Chronicles 25:20 records that God caused the defeat of Judah’s army in this battle. This was because Judah’s king, Amaziah, had led the people to pray to the false gods of Edom (2 Chronicles 25:14-16).
Jehoash, the king of northern and central Israel, had not wanted his army to fight against Judah. He had tried to persuade Amaziah not to begin a war. However, when Amaziah would not listen to him, Jehoash started the war. He clearly considered that it was better to attack first. So, he led his army into the west of Judah, across the low ground near to the border with Philistia. He met Judah’s army at the city called Beth Shemesh. That was about 10 miles (15 kilometres) south of the border between Judah and central Israel. It was only 15 miles (25 kilometres) west of Jerusalem, Judah’s capital city.
Judah’s army should have been stronger than the army from northern and central Israel (2 Chronicles 25:5-6; Luke 14:31). Amaziah carefully asked for advice before he proposed this war (2 Chronicles 25:17). However, in fact, the defeat of Judah’s army was especially severe (see Ecclesiastes 9:11). When Judah’s men saw their difficulties, they ran away from the battle back to their homes. However, some men could not escape – and they even included Amaziah, the king of Judah.
When Amaziah defeated Edom, his men killed all the prisoners (2 Chronicles 25:12). However, Jehoash did not kill his prisoners. He probably allowed Amaziah to return home when the people in Judah had paid a great price for him.
Next part: Jehoash's actions against Jerusalem (2 Kings 14:13-14)
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