2 Chronicles 25:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.

Complete Jewish Bible:

As soon as he had the kingdom firmly in his control, he put to death the servants of his who had assassinated the king his father.

Berean Standard Bible:

As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king.

American Standard Version:

Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established unto him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now it came to pass, when the kingdom^{H4467} was established^{H2388} to him, that he slew^{H2026} his servants^{H5650} that had killed^{H5221} the king^{H4428} his father^{H1}.

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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 25:3

2 Chronicles 25:3 is a verse set within the historical narrative of the divided kingdom of Israel, after the reign of Solomon. The verse specifically refers to King Amaziah of Judah, who, after consolidating his power, took vengeance against those who had assassinated his father, King Joash. The broader context of this verse is found in the tumultuous political landscape of the period, where royal successions were often violent and the throne was frequently contested.

The theme of retributive justice is central to this verse. Amaziah's actions reflect the ancient Near Eastern concept of blood vengeance, where the next of kin was responsible for avenging the murder of a relative. By executing the murderers of his father, Amaziah was fulfilling a familial and cultural obligation to seek justice for his father's death. However, the verse also hints at the cyclical nature of violence within the royal court, as the same servants who helped to establish Amaziah's reign were subsequently executed by him.

This act of vengeance was also a means for Amaziah to secure his throne, eliminating potential threats to his rule. It underscores the political instability of the time and the harsh realities of maintaining power. The verse does not explicitly pass moral judgment on Amaziah's actions, but within the broader theological context of the Bible, it invites readers to consider the complexities of justice, retribution, and the morality of kings. It also serves as a prelude to Amaziah's subsequent reign, which, according to the biblical narrative, had both its moments of obedience to God and its instances of disobedience and pride.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4467
   There are 113 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַמְלָכָה
   Transliteration: mamlâkâh
   Pronunciation: mam-law-kaw'
   Description: from מָלַךְ; dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm); kingdom, king's, reign, royal.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2388
   There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזַק
   Transliteration: châzaq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
   Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2026
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָרַג
   Transliteration: hârag
   Pronunciation: haw-rag'
   Description: a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.