He outlived his foe, but did not outgrow his faults.
Amaziah, the son of Joash, ruled in Judah around the mid-8th century BC and is considered a mostly righteous king, though not without error. “Then Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.” (2 Kings 14:17). By this time, Amaziah had already defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt and initiated an ill-fated conflict with the northern kingdom. This verse highlights that Amaziah outlived his adversary, Jehoash, by another decade and a half, showcasing both the length of Amaziah’s tenure as king and God’s continuing allowance for his reign. Yet, like many kings of Judah, he still fell short of the full devotion seen in King David.
Although Amaziah was “considered to be a righteous king, though not as righteous as King David,” he is largely remembered for his victory over Edom and his subsequent military conflict with Israel (2 Kings 14:1-22). Judah (the southern kingdom) was centered around Jerusalem, and Israel (the northern kingdom) was ruled from Samaria. Amaziah’s reign likely spanned from approximately 796 to 767 BC, overlapping with King Jehoash of Israel’s reign. While he opposed Edom successfully and reclaimed some border territories, his challenge of Israel led to a defeat that eventually jeopardized Jerusalem’s defenses. Despite this major setback, 2 Kings 14:17 affirms that Amaziah “lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash,” indicating that God allowed him added time—possibly to learn from his mistakes and to guide Judah until his own end.
The broader biblical narrative points to the spiritual lesson that trusting in personal accomplishments brings only temporary safety, ultimately requiring humility before God. Amaziah’s life underscores the need to remain faithful to the Lord rather than rely on one’s own ambition or military might. His story, along with the entire monarchy period, helps illustrate why Jesus’ coming is so crucial: earthly kings, even the more righteous ones, could not fully deliver or transform their people, paving the way for the perfect and eternal king in Christ (Romans 8:3-4).
Amaziah lived fifteen years longer than Jehoash, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over the affairs of Judah and Israel even when human kings falter.
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2 Kings 14:17 meaning
Amaziah, the son of Joash, ruled in Judah around the mid-8th century BC and is considered a mostly righteous king, though not without error. “Then Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.” (2 Kings 14:17). By this time, Amaziah had already defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt and initiated an ill-fated conflict with the northern kingdom. This verse highlights that Amaziah outlived his adversary, Jehoash, by another decade and a half, showcasing both the length of Amaziah’s tenure as king and God’s continuing allowance for his reign. Yet, like many kings of Judah, he still fell short of the full devotion seen in King David.
Although Amaziah was “considered to be a righteous king, though not as righteous as King David,” he is largely remembered for his victory over Edom and his subsequent military conflict with Israel (2 Kings 14:1-22). Judah (the southern kingdom) was centered around Jerusalem, and Israel (the northern kingdom) was ruled from Samaria. Amaziah’s reign likely spanned from approximately 796 to 767 BC, overlapping with King Jehoash of Israel’s reign. While he opposed Edom successfully and reclaimed some border territories, his challenge of Israel led to a defeat that eventually jeopardized Jerusalem’s defenses. Despite this major setback, 2 Kings 14:17 affirms that Amaziah “lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash,” indicating that God allowed him added time—possibly to learn from his mistakes and to guide Judah until his own end.
The broader biblical narrative points to the spiritual lesson that trusting in personal accomplishments brings only temporary safety, ultimately requiring humility before God. Amaziah’s life underscores the need to remain faithful to the Lord rather than rely on one’s own ambition or military might. His story, along with the entire monarchy period, helps illustrate why Jesus’ coming is so crucial: earthly kings, even the more righteous ones, could not fully deliver or transform their people, paving the way for the perfect and eternal king in Christ (Romans 8:3-4).
Amaziah lived fifteen years longer than Jehoash, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over the affairs of Judah and Israel even when human kings falter.