2 Crônicas 25
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 25
NJB (LXX versing) Amaziah Succeeds Joash in Judah Amaziah Reigns in Judah Amaziah Acts Wrongfully and Suffers Punishment Kiing Amaziah of Judah Accession of Amaziah 25:1-4 25:1-2 25:1-4 25:1-4 25:1-4 25:3-4 Amaziah Defeats Edomites The War Against Edom War Against Edom His Victorious Campaign Against Edom 25:5-10 25:5-10 25:5-10 25:5-8 25:5-10 25:9a 25:9b-10 25:11-13 25:11-12 25:11-13 25:11-12 25:11-13 Amaziah Rebuked for Idolatry 25:13 25:13 25:14-16 25:14-16 25:14-16 25:14-15 25:14-16 25:16a 25:16b Amaziah Defeated by Joash of Israel Israel Defeats Judah War Against Israel His Disastrous Campaign Against Israel 25:17-19 25:17-24 25:17-19 25:17-19 25:17-19 25:20-24 25:20-24 25:20-24 25:20-24 Death of Amaziah His Death 25:25-28 25:25-28 25:25-28 25:25-28 25:25 25:26-28 Etc.
2 Crônicas 25:1-4
25:1 "Amaziah" See SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOM. 2 Chronicles 25:1 is a typical introduction to a king's reign. age at ascension length of reign mother's name "twenty-five years old. . .reigned twenty-nine years" For a good brief discussion, see Martin Selman, Tyndale OT Commentaries, 2 Chronicles, p. 489. "The date of Amaziah's reign is a seemingly intractable problem, and his twenty-nine years (v. 1) has been reduced to varying lengths such as thirteen, sixteen, or nineteen years. 1 One solution regards Amaziah as sole ruler for only five years before being taken hostage by Jehoash of Israel (vv. 23-24), with his son Uzziah being co-regent for the remaining twenty-four years. This rather surprising conclusion has found support in the unique comment that Amaziah lived for fifteen years after Jehoash's death (v. 25) and in the participation of the people at Uzziah's accession, perhaps indicating some kind of crisis (26:1; cf. 22:1). 2 If this is correct, the two wars belong to Amaziah's first five years, though the whole reign has been dated between 801-773 (Begrich) and796-767 (Thiele)." The IVP Bible Background Commentary p. 446, mentions that Amaziah was a contemporary in Israel, of Joash Jeroboam II in Assyria, of Adad-Nirari III Shalmaneser IV Ashur-Dan III SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA 25:2 This is "good news; bad news." Amaziah did right in the sight of the Lord. See full note at 2 Chr. 24:2. However, like his predecessors, he started well (i.e., listened to God's messengers, cf. vv. 5-10) but later did not (i.e., vv. 14-16,20; 2 Kgs. 14:4 mentions the high places). David, the ideal king, had a "whole heart" but not all his descendants did. Solomon ‒ 1 Kgs. 11:4 Abijam ‒ 1 Kgs. 15:3 David admonishes Solomon about this in 1 Chr. 28:8-9 and prays for him in 1 Chr. 29:19. Attitude is crucial! 25:4 This shows a knowledge of Deuteronomy (i.e., Deut. 24:16) before Josiah found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. The Chronicler's writing shows he knew many OT books (see Introduction to 2 Chronicles, III., G.). The parallel shows this same allusion (cf. 2 Kgs. 14:6) and, like the Chronicler, simply quoted him. Kings is written earlier but still after the conquest of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar the murder of Gedaliah the Babylonian appointed governor of Judah Just a theological note, this verse focuses on the spiritual responsibility of each individual (cf. Jer. 31:29,30; Ezekiel 18), but later in this chapter, several cities of Judah and 3,000 people are killed (2 Chr. 25:13) because of the sin of Amaziah. It is hard to balance these concepts (i.e., Deut. 5:9 vs. 7:9)!
2 Crônicas 25:5-10
25:5 This is a census for military purposes of war (i.e., 2 Chr. 14:8; 17:14-18; 26:11-13) against Edom. Josephus, Antiq. 9.1.1., says the battle was against three nations, "Amalekites, Edomites, and Gebalites." The inclusion of "Amalekites" might be a way to explain/excuse the slaughter of 2 Chr. 25:12. All Amalekites were to be killed. SPECIAL TOPIC: EDOM AND ISRAEL "300,000" As always in Kings and Chronicles, one wonders about the meaning of "thousand." SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) "spear and shield" It was the king's responsibility to produce, store, and distribute arms in this period. Often lists of weaponry are mentioned. 2 Chr. 25:5; 11:12 shields (i.e., large shield, BDB 857 III, KB 1037) spears or lance (BDB 942) 2 Chr. 14:8 large shields (BDB 857 III) spears or lances (BDB 942) shields (BDB 171) bows (BDB 905) 2 Chr. 23:5 spears (BDB 333) large shields (BDB 171) bows (BDB 1020, KB 1522) 2 Chr. 26:14 shields (BDB 171, KB 545) spears (BDB 942) helmets (BDB 464) body armor (BDB 1056) bows (BDB 905) sling stones (BDB 6 construct BDB 887) Neh. 4:13 swords (BDB 352) spears (BDB 942) bows (BDB 905) See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, "Armaments," pp. 241-246. 25:6 Amaziah hired mercenaries from Ephraim (2 Chr. 25:10). "talents of silver" Apparently (i.e., from their actions in 2 Chr. 25:13) these Ephraimitic mercenaries were promised part of the spoils of the defeated army. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES 25:7 Amaziah is confronted with a prophetic message which he obeyed (2 Chr. 25:7-10). This obedience brings victory. The king's idolatry will bring defeat. Both are from YHWH, not human forces! The post-exilic Chronicler (probably Ezra) is nervous of all foreign alliances. He chooses aspects of history to emphasize his theological concern. 25:8 There is an introductory series of three Qal�IMPERATIVES. if you go ‒ BDB 97, KB 112 act ‒ BDB 793, KB 889 be strong ‒ BDB 304, KB 302 This is a warning (v. 8, "do not let the army of Israel go with you," IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, same as #1). It is also a promise of YHWH's presence, power, and assured victory (cf. 2 Chr. 14:11; 20:6) if they are obedient.
2 Crônicas 25:11-13
25:11-13 These are shocking verses of death and brutality. Ancient warfare was honorable (esp. against Edom, cf. 1 Kgs. 11:15). 25:11 "the Valley of Salt" This same location is mentioned in 2 Sam. 8:13; 1 Chr. 18:12. Its location is uncertain. east of Beersheba (wadi el-Ceba) south of the Dead Sea (wadi el-Milch) 25:13 "the troops" This refers to the mercenaries from Ephraim (2 Chr. 25:6). The phrase "the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth-horon" is unusual. Beth-horon is about fifteen miles NW of Jerusalem but "Samaria" is the capital of Israel, much farther north; both are in Israel, not Judah. This does explain v. 10 but the geography is uncertain. There is no "Samaria" near the border of Judah and Ephraim. Perhaps this verse means they left from Samaria and traveled to Beth-horon, where they destroyed and plundered villages while Amaziah was battling Edom.
2 Crônicas 25:14-16
25:14 This is so shocking! How could a king who just responded positively to a prophet be led so quickly into idolatry with the obviously impotent gods of Edom (cf. 15b)? Notice what Amaziah did. collected the idols of Edom brought them to Jerusalem bowed down to them burned incense to them 1 Chronicles 25:15 is a powerfully logical statement! Why, Why, Why? 25:15 After the Davidic covenant of 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17 (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:25), several ways of forgiveness or restoration of fellowship with YHWH are mentioned. the possibility of repentance (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:29-53) there is a prophetic warning (in this chapter alone there are two unnamed prophets and even a revelation from an idolatrous king) 25:16 The king's rebellion is clearly revealed in this verse. His mind and heart were set on a course of idolatry! But there will be consequences, as there always are!
2 Crônicas 25:17-19
25:17 "took counsel" What counsel? he had rejected prophetic counsel, v. 16 was this from his political leaders his military leaders his new gods and their priests The counsel probably encouraged Amaziah to attack Israel because of what the Ephraimitic mercenaries did in v. 13. 25:18-19 Agricultural analogies or fables were common in the ANE (i.e., Samson). Judah thought she was a tree but she was a bush! What is surprising is Israel's humility and patience. YHWH was speaking through Israel's pagan king, warning the Davidic seed. YHWH tries to sway human volition but He allows its choices and consequences. Life is not a pre-written script. Foreknowledge must not be confused with determinism. Apparently there was friendship between Judah and Israel. ability to hire mercenaries, 2 Chr. 25:6 marriage proposal (i.e., even if rejected), 2 Chr. 25:18 the king of Israel's attempt not to go to war, 2 Chr. 25:17-19 25:18 "the wild beast" This may be the 100,000 soldiers who were furious (cf. 2 Chr. 25:10). 25:19 King Amaziah was overconfident because of his defeat of a smaller Edomite army (i.e., 20,000 casualties), but Israel was a much larger army.
2 Crônicas 25:20-24
25:20 This is another theological comment by the Chronicler. YHWH is behind all history. Amaziah's idolatry will have consequences, not only for him but for Judah. 25:21 "Beth-shemesh" This (BDB 112) meant "house of the sun," which denoted astral worship in Judah at some point. 25:23 Jerusalem's wall was the major means of her protection. Here, its destruction showed that YHWH's protection had departed! There are several items that show YHWH's judgment. a large portion (i.e., 600 feet) of the city's wall that faced north was destroyed the treasure and utensils of the temple were taken to Damascus members of the special temple Levites were taken (hostages, literally, "sons of pledges," cf. 2 Kgs. 14:14) the treasures of the king's palace were taken some time later his own servants conspired against him and slew him (same thing happened to Amaziah's father in 2 Chr. 24:25-26) "cubits" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CUBIT.
2 Crônicas 25:25-28
25:26 "the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel" This book did not survive. In other places this book is mentioned as the Book of the Kings of Judah the Book of the Kings of Israel but here, they are combined into one book. These records must be compilations of royal scribes through the history of Israel and Judah. Therefore, they were finally combined sometime during the post-exilic period. 25:27 This is the second Judean king who was assassinated. 25:28 This implies that he was buried in the royal tombs. His reign, like so many of his predecessors' reigns, was a mixture of faith and faithlessness! "the city of Judah" Usually it says, "the city of David" (see LXX, Peshitta, Vulgate, cf. 2 Kgs. 14:20), which, in this context, is Jerusalem, not Bethlehem.