Amaziah
1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jeru sa lem. His mother was Hehoassan of Jeru salem.
2 He did what is pleasing to Yahweh, though not steadily.
3 As soon as he was firmly in power, he killed those of his officers who had murdered the king his father.
4 But he did not put their sons to death, in obedience to what is written in the Law, in the book of Moses, where Yahweh has ordered, “Fathers must not be put to death for sons, nor sons for fathers; but everyone will pay for his own crime.”
5 Amaziah called the people of Judah together and organized them in families with commanders of thousands and of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He counted those who were twenty years old or older, and found there were three hundred thousand of selected warriors fit for military service, and for handling spear and shield.
6 Next, he enrolled one hundred thousand from Israel as mercenaries, for about four tons of silver.
7 A man of God then came to him and said, “O king, don’t take these Israelite soldiers with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel or with any of the Ephraimites.
8 If they come, whatever be the number of your men, God will still bring you down before your enemies, for God’s is the power to uphold or to throw down.”
9 Amaziah answered the man of God, “And what about the four tons of silver I have given the Israelite soldiers?” The man of God replied, “Yahweh can give you far more than that.”
10 At this, Amaziah dismissed from his army the troops that had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home; these men were furious with Judah and went home in great anger.
11 Amaziah led his army to Salt Valley and defeated ten thousand Edomite soldiers.
12 The men of Judah took ten thousand captives alive and, taking them to the top of the cliff, threw them off the top; they were all dashed to pieces.
13 Then the Israelite troops which Amaziah had dismissed and not allowed to fight with him raided the towns of Judah, from Sa maria as far as Bethhoron, but they were defeated by a troop of three thousand men who recovered great quantities of plunder.
14 On returning from his defeat of the Edomites, Amaziah brought the gods of the Edomites with him and set these up as gods for himself, bowing down before them and burning incense to them.
15 Then Yahweh became angry with Amaziah and he sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you looked to this people’s gods, who could not save their own people from your power?”
16 He was still speaking when Amaziah interrupted him, “Have we appointed you a royal counselor? If you do not want to be hurt, be quiet!” The prophet paused; then he said, “Now I know that God has decided to destroy you, since after having acted like this, you refuse to listen to me.”
17 After consulting his advisers, Ama ziah king of Judah sent a message to Joash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, challenging him to fight.
18 Joash king of Israel sent back word to Amaziah king of Judah, “The thornbush of Lebanon sent a message to the cedar of Lebanon, saying, ‘Give my son your daughter in marriage’; but the wild animals of Lebanon trampled the thornbush down as they passed. You are very proud because you have defeated the Edomites – Boast on but stay at home.
19 Why stir up trouble that will only bring disaster on you and your people?”
20 But Amaziah would not listen. It was God’s will for him to be defeated, because he had worshiped the Edomite idols.
21 And at Bethshemesh Judah, they made their trial of strength, Joash and Amaziah king of Judah.
22 Judah was defeated by Israel, and everyone fled to his tent.
23 The king of Judah, Amaziah son of Joash, son of Ahaziah, was taken prisoner at Beth shemesh by Joash, king of Israel who led him off to Jerusalem, where Joash tore down the city wall from the Gate of Ephra im to the Gate of the Corner, a distance of two hundred yards.
24 He took all the gold and silver, all the furnishings to be found with Obed-edom in the House of God, the treasures of the royal palace, and hostages besides, and then returned to Samaria.
25 Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived for fifteen years after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
26 The rest of the history of Amaziah, from first to last, is all recorded in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.
27 After the time when Amaziah rebelled against Yahweh, there had been a plot against him in Jerusalem; he fled to Lachish; but he was followed to Lachish and put to death there.
28 He was brought back by horse, and buried with his ancestors in the City of David.