Amaziah ruled Judah for twenty-nine years after beginning his reign at twenty-five, and his connection to Jerusalem through both place of rule and maternal heritage underscored his strong ties to the heart of God’s covenant people.
He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. (v.2) This verse identifies Amaziah of Judah at the outset of his reign. The text highlights his exact age of accession (twenty-five) and the duration of his rule over the southern kingdom (twenty-nine years). It also names his mother, Jehoaddin of Jerusalem, underscoring how the king’s heritage was deeply rooted in Judah’s own royal city. Amaziah ascended the throne around 796 BC, following the assassination of his father, Joash, and continued until roughly 767 BC. Though he belonged to the line of David and did many things pleasing to the LORD, he did not measure up to the spiritual stature of King David.
Jerusalem, where Amaziah held court, served as the heart of Israel’s covenant worship and the political headquarters of the line of David. Historically, the city’s name signified its status as the holy city for God’s chosen people. By mentioning that his mother was also from Jerusalem, the verse stresses the strong ties Amaziah had to the kingdom’s religious and cultural center. It is here in Jerusalem that he would exercise his royal authority, continue Davidic traditions, and undertake both political and military campaigns.
Amaziah is known for both commendable achievements and critical missteps. According to the broader biblical narrative, he initiated successful campaigns against the Edomites, yet also provoked a war with the northern kingdom of Israel that ended in defeat (2 Kings 14:1-22). His reign shows how faithfulness to God’s covenant positively shaped a leader’s prospects, but also how pride and disobedience could lead to ruin. Even as part of the Davidic lineage that culminates in the Messiah, Amaziah demonstrates that imperfect human kings fall short, pointing forward to the need for a truly righteous King.
Set to dark mode
2 Kings 14:2 meaning
He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. (v.2) This verse identifies Amaziah of Judah at the outset of his reign. The text highlights his exact age of accession (twenty-five) and the duration of his rule over the southern kingdom (twenty-nine years). It also names his mother, Jehoaddin of Jerusalem, underscoring how the king’s heritage was deeply rooted in Judah’s own royal city. Amaziah ascended the throne around 796 BC, following the assassination of his father, Joash, and continued until roughly 767 BC. Though he belonged to the line of David and did many things pleasing to the LORD, he did not measure up to the spiritual stature of King David.
Jerusalem, where Amaziah held court, served as the heart of Israel’s covenant worship and the political headquarters of the line of David. Historically, the city’s name signified its status as the holy city for God’s chosen people. By mentioning that his mother was also from Jerusalem, the verse stresses the strong ties Amaziah had to the kingdom’s religious and cultural center. It is here in Jerusalem that he would exercise his royal authority, continue Davidic traditions, and undertake both political and military campaigns.
Amaziah is known for both commendable achievements and critical missteps. According to the broader biblical narrative, he initiated successful campaigns against the Edomites, yet also provoked a war with the northern kingdom of Israel that ended in defeat (2 Kings 14:1-22). His reign shows how faithfulness to God’s covenant positively shaped a leader’s prospects, but also how pride and disobedience could lead to ruin. Even as part of the Davidic lineage that culminates in the Messiah, Amaziah demonstrates that imperfect human kings fall short, pointing forward to the need for a truly righteous King.