2 Chronicles 25:13

KJV

But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

KJV (with Strong's)

But the soldiers {H1121} of the army {H1416} which Amaziah {H558} sent back {H7725}, that they should not go {H3212} with him to battle {H4421}, fell {H6584} upon the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, from Samaria {H8111} even unto Bethhoron {H1032}, and smote {H5221} three {H7969} thousand {H505} of them, and took {H962} much {H7227} spoil {H961}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Meanwhile, the men in the army that Amatzyahu had sent back and hadn't allowed to join him in battle fell on the cities of Y'hudah, all the way from Shomron to Beit-Horon, killed 3,000 of them and took much spoil.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile the troops that Amaziah had dismissed from battle raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon. They struck down 3,000 people and carried off a great deal of plunder.

American Standard Version

But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote of them three thousand, and took much spoil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 25:13 vividly recounts the violent retaliation of the Israelite mercenaries whom King Amaziah of Judah had, by divine command, dismissed from his army. Despite the significant financial cost and the potential for angering these hired soldiers, Amaziah's obedience to God resulted in an immediate and devastating attack on Judahite cities, stretching from Samaria to Bethhoron. This punitive raid led to the slaughter of three thousand Judahites and the extensive plundering of their possessions, serving as a stark and painful consequence of an otherwise righteous act of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point in the narrative of King Amaziah's early reign, immediately following his pivotal decision to obey the "man of God." Amaziah had assembled a formidable army, including one hundred thousand Israelite mercenaries, for a campaign against Edom ([2 Chronicles 25:5-6](/2_chronicles/25-5 "2 Chronicles 25:5-6 - Amaziah Prepares for War")). However, a prophet intervened, warning that God was not with the Northern Kingdom and that their inclusion would lead to Amaziah's defeat ([2 Chronicles 25:7-8](/2_chronicles/25-7 "2 Chronicles 25:7-8 - The Prophet's Warning")). Despite the substantial financial investment of one hundred talents of silver and the risk of antagonizing a large armed force, Amaziah chose obedience, sending the Israelite contingent home ([2 Chronicles 25:9-10](/2_chronicles/25-9 "2 Chronicles 25:9-10 - Amaziah Obeys God")). Verse 13 then details the immediate, destructive consequence of this dismissal, occurring concurrently with Amaziah's subsequent victory over Edom ([2 Chronicles 25:11-12](/2_chronicles/25-11 "2 Chronicles 25:11-12 - Amaziah's Victory Over Edom")), highlighting the complex interplay of obedience, suffering, and divine blessing.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Amaziah's reign (c. 796-767 BC) was one of continued tension and occasional conflict between the divided kingdoms of Judah (south) and Israel (north). The Northern Kingdom, Israel, was characterized by idolatry, particularly the worship of golden calves established by Jeroboam I, which alienated them from true Yahweh worship in Jerusalem. This religious divergence often fueled political and military animosity. Hiring mercenary armies was a common practice in the ancient Near East, but their loyalty was primarily to their paymaster. The Israelite mercenaries, feeling cheated out of their promised wages and the spoils of war, and likely already harboring resentment towards Judah, saw an opportunity for retribution. The geographical scope, "from Samaria even unto Bethhoron," indicates a wide swath of Judahite territory, with Samaria being the capital of Israel and Bethhoron a strategic city on the border between Judah and Benjamin, demonstrating the extensive reach of the retaliatory raid.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **unforeseen consequences of obedience**, demonstrating that following God's command does not always lead to immediate ease or prosperity, but can involve significant cost and suffering. Amaziah's righteous decision to sever an unholy alliance directly led to a devastating attack on his own people. Secondly, it highlights the **danger of unsanctified alliances**, emphasizing that seeking help or strength from those not aligned with God's will or character can backfire dramatically, even if initially perceived as strategically advantageous. The Israelite mercenaries, though militarily capable, were spiritually and politically unreliable. Finally, the event subtly points to **divine sovereignty amidst adversity**, as God's ultimate purpose for Amaziah – victory over Edom – was still achieved despite this painful setback. This incident serves as a prelude to Amaziah's later spiritual decline, where his initial obedience gives way to idolatry and further national suffering, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 25:14-16](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14-16 - Amaziah's Idolatry and Prophetic Warning").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fell upon (Hebrew, _pāšaṭ'_):** This verb often describes a sudden, violent raid, an invasion, or a stripping away. It implies an aggressive, unprovoked attack with the intent to plunder and devastate. In this context, it vividly portrays the mercenaries' vengeful descent upon the unsuspecting cities of Judah, not as a formal battle but as a destructive incursion.
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nākāh'_):** This is a very common and versatile Hebrew verb, meaning to strike, hit, beat, kill, or defeat. Here, combined with "three thousand of them," it unequivocally refers to the killing of a significant number of Judahite inhabitants, emphasizing the lethal and brutal nature of the mercenaries' assault.
* **Took much spoil (Hebrew, _bāzaẓ'_):** This verb means to plunder, loot, or seize as spoil. The addition of "much" (רָב, _rav_) indicates the extensive and significant amount of goods, wealth, and possessions that were stolen from the Judahite cities. This act of looting was a primary motivation for the mercenaries' attack, compensating themselves for their dismissed wages and the anticipated spoils from the Edomite war.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle":** This clause precisely identifies the perpetrators of the attack: the one hundred thousand Israelite mercenaries whom Amaziah, in an act of obedience to the prophet's word, had dismissed from his ranks. Their dismissal, though divinely commanded, left them without their expected pay or the opportunity for plunder from the Edomite campaign, fueling their resentment and desire for retribution.
* **"fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron":** This describes the scope and nature of the retaliatory attack. The mercenaries, instead of returning directly to Israel, turned their wrath upon Judah. The geographical markers "from Samaria" (the capital of the Northern Kingdom, indicating their point of origin or general direction) and "unto Bethhoron" (a strategic city on Judah's western border) delineate a wide area of devastation, signifying a widespread and coordinated assault on Judahite towns and villages.
* **"and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil":** This details the devastating consequences of the raid. The phrase "smote three thousand of them" indicates a significant loss of life among the Judahite populace, a direct and bloody toll of the mercenaries' vengeance. The accompanying "took much spoil" highlights the extensive looting and plundering of Judah's resources, adding economic devastation to the human cost. This was a severe blow to Judah, demonstrating the immediate and painful repercussions of Amaziah's obedience.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Chronicles 25:13 employs several effective literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Amaziah's act of obedience, intended to secure divine favor and victory, immediately results in a painful and costly attack on his own land and people. This unexpected negative consequence highlights the complex nature of faith and God's ways, which often defy human logic. There is also a strong element of **Narrative Consequence**, where the cause (Amaziah's dismissal of the mercenaries) is directly and swiftly followed by a clear effect (their retaliatory attack), emphasizing the immediate and tangible repercussions of his decision. Furthermore, the passage uses **Contrast** by juxtaposing this devastating attack on Judah with Amaziah's subsequent and divinely blessed victory over Edom, which is recounted immediately after this verse. This contrast underscores God's ability to work His purposes through both suffering and triumph, and that immediate hardship does not negate ultimate divine favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates that obedience to God, while always the right path, does not guarantee an absence of immediate hardship or unforeseen negative consequences. Amaziah's decision, though divinely inspired and ultimately leading to victory in the main campaign, incurred a significant and painful cost for his people. This teaches us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His ultimate purposes may involve temporary suffering or loss as part of a larger, redemptive plan. It challenges a simplistic theology that equates obedience directly with immediate, tangible blessings and highlights the reality that faithfulness often demands sacrifice and enduring adversity.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The experience of Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25:13 offers a profound lesson for believers today: the path of obedience to God is not always smooth or free from immediate pain. Just as Amaziah faced a brutal reprisal for dismissing the mercenaries, we may encounter unexpected difficulties, criticism, or even loss when we choose to align ourselves with God's will over worldly wisdom, personal gain, or popular opinion. This passage calls us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign plan, recognizing that His ultimate purposes transcend our immediate circumstances. It encourages us to persevere in doing what is right, even when the short-term consequences are costly or confusing, confident that God's faithfulness will ultimately prevail and His wisdom will be vindicated. Our faith is truly tested not just in moments of overt temptation, but also when doing the right thing demands a significant personal or communal sacrifice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unholy alliances" or compromises might I be tempted to make in my life (e.g., financial, relational, professional) that God might be calling me to sever, even if it feels costly?**
* **How do I typically react when my obedience to God leads to unexpected hardship or loss, rather than immediate blessing?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's long-term plan and sovereignty, even when the immediate situation seems chaotic or painful?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the true cost of discipleship and the nature of God's testing?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow this devastating attack on Judah if Amaziah was obeying His command?**

Answer: God allowed this attack for several profound reasons, even though Amaziah was obeying. Firstly, it served as a painful, immediate consequence of Amaziah's prior decision to hire the Israelite mercenaries in the first place. While God mercifully intervened to prevent a greater disaster in the war against Edom, the initial unholy alliance still had repercussions. Secondly, it was a test of Amaziah's faith and obedience. True obedience is often refined through fire, demonstrating whether one serves God only for immediate blessings or trusts Him even through adversity. Thirdly, it highlighted the inherent danger and unreliable nature of alliances not sanctioned by God, especially with those steeped in idolatry. The mercenaries' actions underscored the spiritual and practical perils of such partnerships. Finally, it may have served as a warning to Judah about the continuing spiritual dangers posed by the Northern Kingdom, even as God was working His larger plan for Amaziah's victory over Edom, as seen in [2 Chronicles 25:11-12](/2_chronicles/25-11 "2 Chronicles 25:11-12 - Amaziah's Victory Over Edom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Amaziah's costly obedience in 2 Chronicles 25:13 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Amaziah's experience of suffering immediate loss for a righteous act foreshadows the infinitely greater suffering of the [Son of God, who learned obedience through what he suffered](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Jesus Learned Obedience Through Suffering"). While Amaziah's obedience was imperfect and later faltered, Christ's obedience was absolute, leading Him to the cross, the ultimate act of self-sacrificial love. His suffering was not a consequence of His own sin, but the direct result of His perfect obedience to the Father's will to redeem humanity ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Just as Judah suffered a temporary setback before Amaziah's ultimate victory, believers are called to participate in Christ's sufferings, knowing that such trials produce perseverance and character, leading to hope ([Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering Produces Perseverance")). The "spoil" taken by the mercenaries in 2 Chronicles 25:13 contrasts sharply with the glorious spoil Christ won through His obedience: victory over sin and death, and the eternal salvation of His people, a far greater and lasting triumph than any earthly conquest. We are called to follow in His steps, embracing the cost of discipleship, knowing that our temporary sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us in Him ([1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ Our Example in Suffering")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.