Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
2 Chronicles 25:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Prosperity followed by disaster (25:1-28:27)

Succeeding kings of Israel are passed over in silence (2 Kings 13:1-25). Judah was to have nothing to do with the northern kingdom, not even to the hiring of Israelite soldiers. Amaziah took the advice, and was rewarded with victory in a battle against Edom. But the victory, instead of increasing his dependence on God, gave him a feeling of independence. He turned from God and worshipped idols. The ungodly northern kingdom then became God’s instrument to punish the rebellious southern kingdom (25:1-28; see notes on 2 Kings 14:1-22).

Under the rule of Jeroboam II in the north (2 Kings 14:23-29) and Uzziah (or Azariah) in the south, both kingdoms enjoyed remarkable growth and prosperity. Unfortunately, this made Uzziah proud, and he arrogantly took to himself the rights of a priest. The writer points out that although the priesthood and the kingship were both appointed by God, they were separate and independent systems. One could not take over the functions of the other (26:1-23; see notes on 2 Kings 15:1-7).

Jotham followed the good policies of his father, while being careful not to repeat his father’s errors. In the Chronicler’s view, Jotham’s fear of God was the source of his strength and success (27:1-9; see notes on 2 Kings 15:32-38).

The great prosperity throughout both kingdoms was followed by unbelievable chaos. In the north the kingdom of Israel almost collapsed (2 Kings 15:8-31), and in the south the disastrous reign of Ahaz almost brought destruction to Judah (28:1-27; see notes on 2 Kings 16:1-20). Within a short time the northern kingdom was conquered by Assyria and its people carried away captive. This was the end of the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:1-41).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

AMAZIAH’S SINFUL PREPARATIONS FOR WAR AGAINST EDOM

“Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers’ houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver. But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for Jehovah is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt go, do valiantly, be strong for the battle: God will cast thee down before the enemy; for God hath power to help, and to cast down. And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, Jehovah is able to give thee much more than this. Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger. And Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand. And other ten thousand did the children of Judah carry away alive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they were all broken in pieces. But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote of them three thousand, and took much spoil.”

“Jehovah is not with Israel, to wit, the children of Ephraim” The man of God here made it plain that the rebellion of the northern tribes against the Davidic dynasty had forfeited their further identity as “God’s Chosen People.” This is the reason that the Chronicler completely ignored, in as much as it was possible, the entire Northern Israel, focusing his attention completely upon the fortunes of Judah.

“The top of the rock” “This was the height of Petra, the Edomite capital, near where the battle was fought.”Albert Barnes, Chronicles, p. 408.

Other Scriptures which relate the horrible cruelties of the Edomite wars with Israel are 1 Kings 11:15; Ezekiel 25:12; and Obadiah 1:14. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother; and there is no more terrible an example of brother hating brother in human history.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

If the present text is regarded as sound, this passage must be taken ironically. But most recent commentators supply a second negative, and render it: “But go thou alone, act, be strong for the battle - God shall then not make thee to fall.”

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 25

In chapter 25,

Amaziah [the son of Joash] began to reign, he was twenty-five years old when he began to reign. He reigned for twenty-nine years. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a complete heart. It came to pass, when the kingdom was established ( 2 Chronicles 25:1-3 )

Actually, his dad was finally killed by a couple of his servants, and so he had the servants killed who had killed his father.

But he did not slay their children, because of the law of Moses that said, The children should not die for the sins of the parents, nor the parents for the sins of the children, but every man shall die for his own sin ( 2 Chronicles 25:4 ).

And Amaziah gathered together the people of Judah and they made an expedition against the Edomites. And they were successful in this war against the Edomites.

There came a man of God to the king ( 2 Chronicles 25:7 ),

Verse 2 Chronicles 25:7 , prior to the battle. Because the king had used a part of the money, a hundred talents of silver. And he had hired a hundred thousand of the men of Israel to come with them to fight against the Edomites. So the man of God came and said, "Why are you leaning on the arm of flesh? Why are you trusting in the Israelites for help? You ought to trust in the Lord. Send them home, because they shouldn't be going into battle with you." He said, "Well, what shall I do? I've already given a hundred talents of silver." He said, "Just forget it. Count it as a loss. But send them back. Don't let them go into battle with you." Well, he listened to the voice of the prophet of God and he sent the men of Judah home, who were angry, the men of Israel home. They were angry and so they actually began to rip up some of the cities of Judah on their way home.

But Amaziah went down then against the Edomites and God gave the Edomites into his hands. But then, stupid guy, captured some of the gods of the Edomites, the little idols and he brought them back and set them up in his home and he began to worship these little idols, the gods of the Edomites.

Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, he sent to him a prophet that said, Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver them out of your hand? And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said, Did I hire you as a counselor? You better shut up; for why should I smite you? Then the prophet was quiet, and he said, I know that God hath determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and you have not hearkened to my counsel. So Amaziah the king of Judah sent a message to Jehoahaz, the king of Israel, he said, Let's come and face each other ( 2 Chronicles 25:15-17 ).

And so Jehoash, the king of Israel, sent a message back and said, "Look, young man, you went down and you had a victory over the Edomites. Now just stay home and enjoy that victory, for why should you meddle to your own hurt?" In other words, be satisfied with the victory you had over the Edomites and don't go looking for trouble. "Why should you meddle to your own hurt?"

But Amaziah would not hear ( 2 Chronicles 25:20 );

And he demanded that they come out and meet face to face.

So the king of Israel came against him at Bethshemesh, and Amaziah and his troops were defeated. And the king of Israel came to Jerusalem and he broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, a space of about six hundred feet.

And he took all of the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God, and the treasures of the king's house, and he took hostages, and he returned to Samaria. And Amaziah lived for another fifteen years. And the rest of his acts are found in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. Now after that time Amaziah turned away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; he fled to Lachish: but they came to Lachish and there they killed him ( 2 Chronicles 25:24-27 ).

Now this business of "why meddle to your own hurt?" is a good warning really, because many times people think that they can meddle with sin and not get hurt. They think that they can play with fire and not get burned. And it is interesting that many times our greatest dangers lie immediately following our greatest victories. Having a great victory can be a dangerous thing, because many times flushed with victory we begin to gain confidence in our flesh. We begin to almost go out looking for trouble. Looking for temptation so that we can conquer over it. Putting ourselves in a place of temptation or jeopardy in order that we might show how strong we are. Meddling around with things that we have no business meddling with. In places we have no business being. Meddling usually results in our own hurt.

And so they were defeated. But that wasn't all. A part of their defenses were destroyed. The king came and he destroyed a part of the wall of Jerusalem. When you fall into temptation, a part of your defenses are destroyed. The first time you came up against it, it was a real battle. You didn't fall easily. You really held your own for quite a while. But when you fell, a part of your defenses were wiped out. So the next time you faced that thing, you didn't have the same amount of strength to resist. It was a little easier to do it, because you've already done it once. You didn't have just that same inner strength against it. It was easier to fall the second time. The third time it was even easier yet, because a part of your defenses were destroyed.

And he took away the treasures. Whenever Satan defeats you, a certain amount of your treasures go with it. Treasures of purity and innocency robbed. Meddling to your own hurt. Don't meddle with sin. Don't meddle in the places of sin. Don't go to the enemy's territory looking for a fight. Looking to prove how strong you are, how tough you are, how righteous you are. How many people have been hurt by meddling.

"

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

I. Amaziah ch. 25

The Chronicler selected three events from Amaziah’s reign to teach important spiritual lessons.

First, Amaziah followed the Mosaic Law faithfully in dealing with the people who had killed his father (2 Chronicles 25:1-4; cf. Deuteronomy 24:16). These actions transpired at the beginning of his reign.

Second, the king obeyed God partially in his war with the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:5-16). He unwisely hired mercenary soldiers to help him rather than seeking the Lord’s help (2 Chronicles 25:6; cf. 2 Chronicles 20:12). However, when the prophet rebuked him, he obediently dismissed them even though it cost him 7,500 pounds of silver (2 Chronicles 25:10). Nevertheless because he had hired them, he not only lost his money but he also lost the lives of some of his soldiers when the Israelites retaliated for having been dismissed (2 Chronicles 25:13). Furthermore, he disobeyed Yahweh by importing the gods of Edom (2 Chronicles 25:14). Finally, he refused to repent (2 Chronicles 25:10). [Note: On the parallels between this passage (2 Chronicles 25:5-15) and the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, see F. Scott Spencer, "2 Chronicles 28:5-15 and the Parable of the Good Samaritan," Westminster Theological Journal 46 (1984):317-49.]

Third, Amaziah disobeyed God by attacking Israel late in his reign (2 Chronicles 25:17-24). This was due, from the divine perspective, to the king’s idolatry (2 Chronicles 25:20) and, from the human perspective, to his pride (2 Chronicles 25:18). The consequences were that Judah’s enemy destroyed a portion of the wall around Jerusalem (God removed its defense, 2 Chronicles 25:23), and stripped the temple (the glory of God diminished, 2 Chronicles 25:24). Joash’s parable of the arrogant thistle recalls Jotham’s parable of the ignominious bramble (Judges 9:7-15).

"At bottom, it is the breakdown in the relationship between Amaziah and God which causes his downfall." [Note: Wilcock, p. 217.]

Idolatry was a serious matter because it struck at the heart of God’s relationship with His people. God blessed Israel with the opportunity to have an intimate personal relationship with the living sovereign Lord as no other people in the world then. To turn from this privilege to pursue dead idols was the height of effrontery (cf. Exodus 20:5). From the time Amaziah turned from Yahweh, God began to turn against him by using the faithful in Judah as His instruments of judgment (2 Chronicles 25:27). "The city of Judah" (2 Chronicles 25:28) is another name for Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kings 14:20).

"Instead of royal building programs, the walls of Jerusalem are destroyed; instead of wealth from the people and surrounding nations, the king is plundered; instead of a large family, there were hostages; instead of peace, war; instead of victory, defeat; instead of loyalty from the populace and long life, there is conspiracy and regicide." [Note: Dillard, 2 Chronicles, p. 203.]

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle,.... An ironical expression; if thou wilt not be advised, take them with thee, and try what thou canst do; exert all thy courage, and use thy military skill, and mark the issue:

God shall make thee fall before the enemy; notwithstanding the number of thy troops, and those of thy auxiliaries; though some take them to be spoken seriously, and read the words, "but go thou"; that is, alone, without the hired troops, and fight boldly and courageously; or otherwise "God shall make thee fall", c.

for God hath power to help and to cast down to help with a few, and to cast down with many; to help without the hired Israelites, and to cast down with them.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      1 Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.   2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.   3 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.   4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.   5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.   6 He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver.   7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.   8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.   9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.   10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.   11 And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.   12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.   13 But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

      Here is, I. The general character of Amaziah: He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, worshipped the true God, kept the temple service a going, and countenanced religion in his kingdom; but he did not do it with a perfect heart (2 Chronicles 25:2; 2 Chronicles 25:2), that is, he was not a man of serious piety or devotion himself, nor had he any zeal for the exercises of religion. He was no enemy to it, but a cool and indifferent friend. Such is the character of too many in this Laodicean age: they do that which is good, but not with the heart, not with a perfect heart.

      II. A necessary piece of justice which he did upon the traitors that murdered his father: he put them to death, 2 Chronicles 25:3; 2 Chronicles 25:3. Though we should suppose they intended to avenge on their king the death of the prophet (as was intimated, 2 Chronicles 24:25; 2 Chronicles 24:25), yet this would by no means justify their wickedness; for they were not the avengers, but presumptuously took God's work out of his hands: and therefore Amaziah did what became him in calling them to an account for it, but forbade the putting of the children to death for the parents' sin, 2 Chronicles 25:4; 2 Chronicles 25:4.

      III. An expedition of his against the Edomites, who, some time ago, had revolted from under the dominion of Judah, to which he attempted to reduce them. Observe,

      1. The great preparation he made for this expedition. (1.) He mustered his own forces, and marshalled them (2 Chronicles 25:5; 2 Chronicles 25:5), and found Judah and Benjamin in all but 300,000 men that were fit for war, whereas, in Jehoshaphat's time, fifty or sixty years before, they were four times as many. Sin weakens a people, diminishes them, dispirits them, and lessens their number and figure. (2.) He hired auxiliary troops out of the kingdom of Israel, 2 Chronicles 25:6; 2 Chronicles 25:6. Finding his own kingdom defective in men, he thought to make up the deficiency with his money, and therefore took into his pay 100,000 Israelites. If he had advised with any of his prophets before he did this, or had but considered how little any of his ancestors got by their alliances with Israel, he would not have had this to undo again. But rashness makes work for repentance.

      2. The command which God sent him by a prophet to dismiss out of his service the forces of Israel, 2 Chronicles 25:7; 2 Chronicles 25:8. He would not have him call in any assistance at all: it looked like distrust of God. If he made sure of God's presence, the army he had of his own was sufficient. But particularly he must not take in their assistance: For the Lord is not with the children of Ephraim, because they are not with him, but worship the calves. This was a good reason why he should not make use of them, because he could not depend upon them to do him any service. What good could be expected from those that had not God with them, nor his blessings upon their undertakings? It is comfortable to employ those who, we have reason to hope, have an interest in heaven, and dangerous to associate with those from whom the Lord has departed. The prophet assured him that if he persisted in his resolution to take these idolatrous apostate Israelites with him, in hopes thereby to make himself strong for the battle, it was at his peril; they would prove a dead weight to his army, would sink and betray it: "God shall make thee fall before the enemy, and these Israelites will be the ruin of thy cause; for God has power to help thee without them, and to cast thee down though thou hast them with thee."

      3. The objection which Amaziah made against this command, and the satisfactory answer which the prophet gave to that objection, 2 Chronicles 25:9; 2 Chronicles 25:9. The king had remitted 100 talents to the men of Israel for advance-money. "Now," says he, "if I send them back, I shall lose that: But what shall we do for the 100 talents?" This is an objection men often make against their duty: they are afraid of losing by it. "Regard not that," says the prophet: "The Lord is able to give thee much more than this; and, thou mayest depend upon it, he will not see thee lose by him. What are 100 talents between thee and him? He has ways enough to make up the loss to thee; it is below thee to speak of it." Note, A firm belief of God's all-sufficiency to bear us out in our duty, and to make up all the loss and damage we sustain in his service abundantly to our advantage, will make his yoke very easy and his burden very light. What is it to trust in God, but to be willing to venture the loss of any thing for him, in confidence of the goodness of the security he gives us that we shall not lose by him, but that whatever we part with for his sake shall be made up to us in kind or kindness. When we grudge to part with any thing for God and our religion, this should satisfy us, that God is able to give us much more than this. He is just, and he is good, and he is solvent. The king lost 100 talents by his obedience; and we find just that sum given to his grandson Jotham as a present (2 Chronicles 27:5; 2 Chronicles 27:5); then the principal was repaid, and, for interest, 10,000 measures of wheat and as many of barley.

      4. His obedience to the command of God, which is upon record to his honour. He would rather lose his money, disoblige his allies, and dismiss a fourth part of his army just as they were going to take the field, than offend God: He separated the army of Ephraim, to go home again,2 Chronicles 25:10; 2 Chronicles 25:10. And they went home in great anger, taking it as a great affront thus to be made fools of, and to be cashiered as men not fit to be employed, and being perhaps disappointed of the advantages they promised themselves in spoil and plunder by joining with Judah against Edom. Men are apt to resent that which touches them in their profit or reputation, though it frees them from trouble.

      5. His triumphs over the Edomites, 2 Chronicles 25:11; 2 Chronicles 25:12. He left dead upon the spot, in the field of battle, 10,000 men; 10,000 more he took prisoners, and barbarously killed them all by throwing them down some steep and craggy precipice. What provocation he had to exercise this cruelty towards them we are not told; but it was certainly very severe.

      6. The mischief which the disbanded soldiers of Israel did to the cities of Judah, either in their return or soon after, 2 Chronicles 25:13; 2 Chronicles 25:13. They were so enraged at being sent home that, if they might not go to share with Judah in the spoil of Edom, they would make a prey of Judah. Several cities that lay upon the borders they plundered, killing 3000 men that made resistance. But why should God suffer this to be done? Was it not in obedience to him that they were sent home, and yet shall the country thus suffer by it? Surely God's way is in the sea! Did not the prophet say that God was not with the children of Ephraim, and yet they are suffered to prevail against Judah? Doubtless God intended hereby to chastise those cities of Judah for their idolatries, which were found most in those parts that lay next to Israel. The men of Israel had corrupted them, and now they were made a plague to them. Satan both tempts and torments.