Amaziah: The King of Judah

Meaning of Name

"The LORD is mighty"

Reference

II Kings 14:1-20
II Chronicles 25

Reign

29 years (796 - 767 B.C.)

Lesson

Pride leads to destruction - Whenever we puff ourselves up because of earthly accomplishments, a spiritual falls is sure to follow.

Key Verse

"And he (Amaziah) did that which was right in the sight of the lord, but not with a perfect heart." II Chronicles 25:2

Application

As Christians, we must always watch ourselves during times of either earthly or spiritual accomplishments. The tendency is usually to build ourselves up in our own strength instead of remembering that without God we are nothing, and it is He who gives us our gifts and our strength.

History

Amaziah, who reigned 29 years, was a good administrator. He strengthened his military and led it to a rousing victory over renegade Edom. However, it was that very victory which led to his downfall. His confidence sky high from the win on the battlefield, Amaziah challenged the northern kingdom of Israel. Its king, Joash (not the same Joash as Judah's previous monarch), advised against it, but Amaziah would not be deterred. Because of the king's foolish actions, Judah suffered a humiliating defeat as King Joash broke down a large part of the wall of Jerusalem and took all the gold and silver out of the Temple. However, Amaziah's downfall came before his defeat. "Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them" (II Chronicles 25:14).