2 Kings 14

In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah. As Joash king of Israel began to reign in the thirty seventh of Joash king of Judah, 2Ki 13:10, who reigned forty years, Amaziah must therefore begin his reign in the fourth of Joash king of Israel; this therefore must be understood of his second year after he reigned alone, for he reigned two or three years in his father's lifetime.

14:1-7 Amaziah began well, but did not go on so. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the common usage, but we must do it as they did, from the same principle of faith and devotion, and with the same sincerity and resolution.

Chapter 14 This chapter continues the history of the succession in the kingdoms both of Judah and Israel. I. In the kingdom of Judah here is, 1. The entire history (as much as is recorded in this book) of Amaziah’s reign (1.) His good character (v. 1-4). (2.) The justice he executed on the murderers of his father (v. 5, 6). (3.) His victory over the Edomites (v. 7). (4.) His war with Joash, and his defeat in that war (v. 8–14). (5.) His fall, as last, by a conspiracy against him (v. 17–20). 2. The beginning of the history of Azariah (v. 21, 22). II. In the kingdom of Israel, the conclusion of the reign of Joash (v. 15, 16), and the entire history of Jeroboam his son, the second of that name (v. 23–29). How many great men are made to stand in a little compass in God’s book!Verses 1-7 Amaziah, the son and successor of Joash, is the king whom here we have an account of. Let us take a view of him,I. In the temple; and there he acted, in some measure, well, like Joash, but not like David, v. 3. He began well, but did not persevere: He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, kept up his attendance on God’s altars and his attention to God’s word, yet not like David. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the usage, but we must do it as they did it, from the same principle of faith and devotion and with the same sincerity and resolution. It is here taken notice of, as before, that the high places were not taken away, v. 4. It is hard to get clear of those corruptions which, by long usage, have gained both prescription and a favourable opinion.II. On the bench; and there we have him doing justice on the traitors that murdered his father, not as soon as ever he came to the crown, lest it should occasion some disturbance, but he prudently deferred it till the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, v. 5. To weaken a factious party gradually, when it is not safe to provoke, often proves the way to ruin it effectually. Justice strikes surely by striking slowly, and is often executed most prudently when it is not executed presently. Wisdom here is profitable to direct. Amaziah did thus, 1. According to the rule of the law, that ancient rule, that he that sheds man’s blood by man shall his blood be shed. Never let traitors or murderers expect to come to their graves like other men. Let them flee to the pit, and let no man stay them. 2. Under the limitation of the law: The children of the murderers he slew not, because the law of Moses had expressly provided that the children should not be put to death for the fathers, v. 6. It is probable that this is taken notice of because there were those about him that advised him to that rigour, both in revenge (because the crime was extraordinary—the murder of a king) and in policy, that the children might not plot against him, in revenge of their father’s death. But against these insinuations he opposed the express law of God (Deu. 24:16), which he was to judge by, and which he resolved to adhere to and trust God with the issue. God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, because every man is guilty before him and owes him a death; so that, if he require the life for the father’s sin, he does not wrong, the sinner having forfeited it already by his own. But he does not allow earthly princes to do thus: the children, before them, are innocent, and therefore must not suffer as guilty.III. In the field; and there we find him triumphing over the Edomites, v. 7. Edom had revolted from under the hand of Judah in Joram’s time, ch. 8:22. Now he makes war upon them to bring them back to their allegiance, kills 10,000 and takes the chief city of Arabia the stony (called Selah—a rock), and gave it a new name. We shall find a larger account of this expedition, 2 Chr. 25:5, etc.

He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem,.... Fourteen years contemporary with Joash king of Israel, who reigned sixteen years, 2Ki 13:10 and fifteen after him, 2Ki 14:17,

and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem; of whom we nowhere else read,

3-6. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father—The beginning of his reign was excellent, for he acted the part of a constitutional king, according to the law of God, yet not with perfect sincerity of heart (compare 2Ch 25:2). As in the case of his father Joash, the early promise was belied by the devious course he personally followed in later life (see 2Ch 20:14), as well as by the public irregularities he tolerated in the kingdom.

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord,..... At least externally, and at the beginning of his reign:

yet not like David his father; not with a perfect heart, with that sincerity and uprightness as he did, see 2Ch 25:2,

he did according to all things as Joash his father did; who at first reigned well, and then fell into idolatry, as this his son did.

Howbeit the high places were not taken away,.... Though he first did that which was right before God; nor did his father take them away; see 2Ki 12:3.

And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was strengthened in his hand,....