Though a capable ruler early on, Amaziah’s complacency and unfaithfulness ultimately overshadowed his early successes.
“Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, behold, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?” (v.26)
This verse concludes the biblical account of King Amaziah of Judah by pointing readers to an external source documenting his reign—the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. Amaziah, who was the son and successor of King Joash, reigned over Judah around the mid-eighth century BC and is noted for both his military victories and his failures. He is known for defeating the Edomites in the Valley of Salt and for instigating a disastrous civil war with the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 14:1-22). Although he was recognized as a king who largely followed the ways of the LORD, he ultimately fell into idolatry and suffered the consequences of political upheaval.
The reference to “the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel” is part of a recurring pattern in Chronicles, where the lives and accomplishments of Israel’s and Judah’s monarchs were often preserved in archival records. It highlights the chronicler’s intention to show that events in Amaziah’s life, such as his leadership choices and his encounters with both foreign and internal enemies, held significant meaning beyond what could be briefly summarized within Scripture. This verse reminds the audience that while Scripture conveys spiritual lessons, other historical sources existed to testify to the detailed political and cultural chapters of Amaziah’s reign.
All that remains of Amaziah’s legacy in 2 Chronicles 25 underscores how a king’s trust in God—or lack thereof—led to either blessing or turmoil for the people of Judah.
2 Chronicles 25:26 meaning
“Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, behold, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?” (v.26)
This verse concludes the biblical account of King Amaziah of Judah by pointing readers to an external source documenting his reign—the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. Amaziah, who was the son and successor of King Joash, reigned over Judah around the mid-eighth century BC and is noted for both his military victories and his failures. He is known for defeating the Edomites in the Valley of Salt and for instigating a disastrous civil war with the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 14:1-22). Although he was recognized as a king who largely followed the ways of the LORD, he ultimately fell into idolatry and suffered the consequences of political upheaval.
The reference to “the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel” is part of a recurring pattern in Chronicles, where the lives and accomplishments of Israel’s and Judah’s monarchs were often preserved in archival records. It highlights the chronicler’s intention to show that events in Amaziah’s life, such as his leadership choices and his encounters with both foreign and internal enemies, held significant meaning beyond what could be briefly summarized within Scripture. This verse reminds the audience that while Scripture conveys spiritual lessons, other historical sources existed to testify to the detailed political and cultural chapters of Amaziah’s reign.
All that remains of Amaziah’s legacy in 2 Chronicles 25 underscores how a king’s trust in God—or lack thereof—led to either blessing or turmoil for the people of Judah.