His Story

Joash’s son, who began well: he executed his father’s assassins but spared their children, according to the law of Moses. He hired 100,000 Israelite mercenaries for his Edom campaign, and when a man of God told him to send them home — and lose the money — he obeyed: “The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.” God gave him Edom; soldiers salted the valley with ten thousand captives slain.

His Sin — How He Displeased the LORD

Then he brought home the gods of Edom and worshipped them — bowing to the idols of the nation he had just conquered — burning incense to gods who could not save their own people. Challenged by a prophet, he threatened him: “be still: why shouldest thou be smitten?” Pride sent him to challenge Israel’s Jehoash, who answered with the parable of the thistle and the cedar; Amaziah insisted, was routed at Beth-shemesh, captured, and saw Jerusalem’s wall broken for 400 cubits and the Temple plundered.

The Good He Did

His early obedience was costly and real — dismissing a paid army on a prophet’s word is one of the Old Testament’s noblest acts of faith, and his justice to the assassins’ children honored the law when vengeance would have been easy.

The LORD’s verdict

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.”2 Kings 14:3 (KJV)

How His Reign Ended

He outlived Jehoash by fifteen years, a diminished king; conspiracy formed against him in Jerusalem, he fled to Lachish, and the conspirators followed and killed him there.

Lessons for Believers Today

• The most dangerous moment is after a victory won by faith: Amaziah conquered Edom by trusting God and then worshipped Edom’s gods. Guard the hour after the triumph.
• A man who threatens the prophet who corrects him has begun his fall, whatever his throne.

← Joash (of Judah)All 43 KingsAzariah (Uzziah) →