Jehoash’s capture of Amaziah and the breach of Jerusalem’s wall is a sober reminder that pride leads to downfall.
“Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits” (v.13). In this passage, Jehoash (also spelled Joash) king of Israel confronts Amaziah, the ruler of Judah, at a place called Beth-shemesh. Beth-shemesh was situated in the territory of Judah near the border with Philistia. Its location suggests an important military route where conflicts between Israel and Judah were often decided. Jehoash’s capture of Amaziah displays a moment of bitter civil strife between the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Historically, Jehoash reigned in Israel around 798-782 BC, while Amaziah reigned in Judah roughly 796-767 BC. Their clash continued a series of power struggles that began when the united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon split into two rival kingdoms after Solomon’s death (1 Kings 12).
The verse describes Jehoash’s bold move in demolishing a significant stretch of Jerusalem’s fortifications from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate. The Gate of Ephraim likely stood on the northern side of the city, leading out toward the lands associated with the Israelite tribe of Ephraim. By tearing down 400 cubits of the wall (about 600 feet, depending on the exact measure of a cubit), Jehoash weakened Jerusalem’s defenses and demonstrated Israel’s superiority over Judah at that moment. The act of breaching the wall symbolized the vulnerability of Judah when it did not follow wholeheartedly after the LORD, recalling other instances in Scripture where God allowed foreign or rival powers to discipline His people for their unfaithfulness (2 Kings 17:18-20).
This humiliating defeat would serve as a cautionary tale for future kings of Judah, illustrating how pride and strained alliances could lead to dire consequences. It also hinted that while God wanted both northern and southern kingdoms to honor their covenant relationship with Him, they often drifted into mutual hostility and idolatry, thus facing the repercussions of their choices. Later in the New Testament, Jesus’s call for unity among believers (John 17:20-21) offers a corrective to such division and strife as seen in ancient Israel and Judah.
Amaziah’s defeat teaches us that trusting in might or alliances rather than relying upon the LORD can bring about destruction and shame.
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2 Kings 14:13 meaning
“Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits” (v.13). In this passage, Jehoash (also spelled Joash) king of Israel confronts Amaziah, the ruler of Judah, at a place called Beth-shemesh. Beth-shemesh was situated in the territory of Judah near the border with Philistia. Its location suggests an important military route where conflicts between Israel and Judah were often decided. Jehoash’s capture of Amaziah displays a moment of bitter civil strife between the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Historically, Jehoash reigned in Israel around 798-782 BC, while Amaziah reigned in Judah roughly 796-767 BC. Their clash continued a series of power struggles that began when the united monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon split into two rival kingdoms after Solomon’s death (1 Kings 12).
The verse describes Jehoash’s bold move in demolishing a significant stretch of Jerusalem’s fortifications from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate. The Gate of Ephraim likely stood on the northern side of the city, leading out toward the lands associated with the Israelite tribe of Ephraim. By tearing down 400 cubits of the wall (about 600 feet, depending on the exact measure of a cubit), Jehoash weakened Jerusalem’s defenses and demonstrated Israel’s superiority over Judah at that moment. The act of breaching the wall symbolized the vulnerability of Judah when it did not follow wholeheartedly after the LORD, recalling other instances in Scripture where God allowed foreign or rival powers to discipline His people for their unfaithfulness (2 Kings 17:18-20).
This humiliating defeat would serve as a cautionary tale for future kings of Judah, illustrating how pride and strained alliances could lead to dire consequences. It also hinted that while God wanted both northern and southern kingdoms to honor their covenant relationship with Him, they often drifted into mutual hostility and idolatry, thus facing the repercussions of their choices. Later in the New Testament, Jesus’s call for unity among believers (John 17:20-21) offers a corrective to such division and strife as seen in ancient Israel and Judah.
Amaziah’s defeat teaches us that trusting in might or alliances rather than relying upon the LORD can bring about destruction and shame.