III. THE REIGN OF AMAZIAH OVER JUDAH
A. Reigning for Twenty-nine Years in Jerusalem
Amaziah, the son of Joash king of Judah, began to reign in the second year of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, at the age of twenty-five and reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem (14:1-2).
B. Doing What Was Right in the Sight of Jehovah
Amaziah did what was right in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that Joash his father had done, yet not like David his father. The high places were not removed, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places (vv. 3-4).
C. Slaying His Servants
Who Had Slain the King His Father
When the kingdom was established in Amaziah’s hand, he slew his servants who had slain the king his father (v. 5). However, according to God’s commandment in the book of the law, he did not put to death the sons of the murderers (v. 6).
D. Smiting Ten Thousand of Edom
Amaziah smote ten thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela (v. 7).
E. Fighting against Jehoash King of Israel
Amaziah fought against Jehoash king of Israel. He was defeated before Israel and was captured by Jehoash. Jehoash came to Jerusalem, tore down its wall, and took all the gold and silver, all the vessels of the house of Jehovah and of the treasuries of the king’s house, and took hostages to Samaria (vv. 8-14).
F. Living for Fifteen Years
after the Death of Jehoash King of Israel
Amaziah lived for fifteen years after the death of Jehoash king of Israel (vv. 17-18).
G. People in Jerusalem Conspiring against Him
People in Jerusalem conspired against Amaziah, and he fled to Lachish. They sent men after him to kill him there (v. 19).
H. Buried in Jerusalem
Amaziah was brought on horses and was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah (vv. 20-21).
(Life-Study of 1 & 2 Kings, Chapter 17, by Witness Lee)
