2 Chronicles 25:15

KJV

Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was kindled {H2734} against Amaziah {H558}, and he sent {H7971} unto him a prophet {H5030}, which said {H559} unto him, Why hast thou sought {H1875} after the gods {H430} of the people {H5971}, which could not deliver {H5337} their own people {H5971} out of thine hand {H3027}?

Complete Jewish Bible

As a result, the anger of ADONAI blazed up against Amatzyah, and he sent him a prophet, who said to him, "Why have you sought out the gods of those people, when they couldn't even rescue their own people from you?"

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?”

American Standard Version

Wherefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, who said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of thy hand?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following a decisive victory over the Edomites, King Amaziah of Judah committed a grave act of apostasy by adopting and worshipping the very idols of the defeated people. This egregious spiritual misstep ignited the righteous anger of the LORD, who, in His mercy, dispatched a prophet to confront the king. The prophet's poignant question highlighted the profound irony and futility of Amaziah's actions: why would he seek guidance and worship from gods that had proven utterly incapable of protecting their own adherents from his hand? This verse marks a critical turning point in Amaziah's reign, signaling divine displeasure and foreshadowing his eventual downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry After Victory"), which explicitly states Amaziah's shocking turn to idolatry. Having achieved a great victory over Edom—a victory granted by the LORD after Amaziah had shown initial obedience by dismissing foreign mercenaries ([2 Chronicles 25:7-10](/2_chronicles/25-7 "2 Chronicles 25:7-10 - Amaziah Dismisses Mercenaries"))—the king brought the Edomite gods back to Jerusalem, set them up as his own, bowed down to them, and burned incense. [2 Chronicles 25:15](/2_chronicles/25-15 "2 Chronicles 25:15 - The LORD's Anger and Prophet's Rebuke") then describes the divine response to this blatant act of disloyalty. The prophet's subsequent warning in [2 Chronicles 25:16](/2_chronicles/25-16 "2 Chronicles 25:16 - Amaziah Rejects the Prophet's Warning") and Amaziah's stubborn refusal to heed it set the stage for the king's eventual demise and the subsequent national decline, culminating in his assassination ([2 Chronicles 25:27](/2_chronicles/25-27 "2 Chronicles 25:27 - Amaziah's Assassination")). The Chronicler meticulously records the consequences of both obedience and disobedience, with Amaziah serving as a prime example of initial promise leading to catastrophic failure due to spiritual compromise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Amaziah reigned in Judah from 796-767 BC. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were long-standing adversaries of Israel, and their capital, Sela (later Petra), was a strategically important stronghold. The practice of conquering nations bringing back the gods of the vanquished was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, often intended to demonstrate the superiority of the conqueror's deity or to absorb the power of the defeated gods. However, for Israel, such an act was a direct violation of the Mosaic Covenant, specifically the first two commandments against having other gods and making idols ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandments")). The Edomite gods, likely associated with fertility or local deities, were demonstrably powerless against the God of Israel, who had just delivered the Edomites into Amaziah's hand. The sending of a prophet was a common divine intervention in Israel's history, serving as God's means of communicating His will, warnings, and calls to repentance to His covenant people and their leaders.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and exclusivity**, emphasizing that the LORD God of Israel is the one true God, intolerant of rivals. Amaziah's idolatry directly challenges this truth. Secondly, it highlights the **impotence of false gods**, vividly demonstrated by their inability to protect their own worshippers from Amaziah's army. This contrasts sharply with the omnipotence of the God who granted Amaziah victory. Thirdly, the narrative explores the theme of **spiritual blindness and ingratitude**, as Amaziah, having just experienced God's powerful deliverance, immediately turns to the very idols that failed. This demonstrates a profound lack of spiritual discernment and a forgetfulness of God's faithfulness. Finally, the sending of the prophet illustrates God's **patience and persistent warning**, offering an opportunity for repentance even in the face of His kindled anger, a recurring motif throughout the historical books.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anger (Hebrew, _ḥarî-ʾaf_):** This compound term, literally "burning of nose/face," is a strong idiom for intense, righteous indignation or wrath. When applied to the LORD, it signifies His holy displeasure against sin, particularly idolatry and rebellion against His covenant. It is not an uncontrolled human passion but a just and purposeful response to human unfaithfulness, demonstrating His commitment to His own holiness and the covenant He made with Israel. Its kindling implies a deliberate, provoked response.
* **Sought after (Hebrew, _darashta_):** From the verb דָּרַשׁ (darash), meaning "to seek," "to inquire," "to consult," or "to frequent." The use of this verb indicates that Amaziah's turn to the Edomite gods was not a passive or accidental drift but an active, deliberate, and intentional pursuit. He actively sought their presence, their favor, and perhaps their guidance, effectively replacing the LORD with these impotent deities. This highlights the willful nature of his sin.
* **Could not deliver (Hebrew, _lo' hitstsilu_):** This phrase, using the Hiphil stem of the verb נָצַל (natsal), means "to rescue," "to deliver," or "to save." The negative particle "lo'" emphatically states their utter inability. The prophet's rhetorical question hinges on this undeniable fact: the gods Amaziah now worships were demonstrably powerless to save their own people from Amaziah himself. This exposes the supreme irrationality and spiritual bankruptcy of Amaziah's choice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine reaction to Amaziah's idolatry, as detailed in the preceding verse. The "kindling" of the LORD's anger signifies a righteous, burning indignation, not a capricious outburst, but a just response to a direct violation of the covenant and an affront to God's unique sovereignty. It underscores the seriousness of Amaziah's sin in God's eyes.
* **"and he sent unto him a prophet,"**: Even in His anger, God demonstrates His mercy and patience by sending a messenger. This act reveals God's desire for His people to repent and return to Him, providing a clear warning and an opportunity for Amaziah to turn away from his sin before judgment falls. The prophet serves as God's direct voice, ensuring Amaziah has no excuse for ignorance.
* **"which said unto him,"**: This simple phrase introduces the direct confrontation. The prophet's words are not his own but God's, carrying divine authority and demanding a response from the king. This highlights the personal and direct nature of God's address to Amaziah.
* **"Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people,"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question. It challenges Amaziah's logic and spiritual discernment. The "gods of the people" refers specifically to the Edomite idols, emphasizing their foreign, pagan nature and their association with a defeated nation. The question forces Amaziah to confront the irrationality of worshipping deities that have no power.
* **"which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?"**: This final clause provides the irrefutable evidence of the idols' impotence. The very gods Amaziah now worships were utterly incapable of saving their own adherents from Amaziah's victorious army. This exposes the profound irony and spiritual blindness of Amaziah's actions, highlighting the stark contrast between the power of the true God (who gave Amaziah victory) and the utter weakness of the false gods.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. Most prominent is the **rhetorical question** posed by the prophet: "Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?" This question is not seeking information but is designed to provoke introspection, expose the absurdity of Amaziah's actions, and underscore the undeniable truth of the idols' impotence. It serves as a sharp rebuke and a call to logical and spiritual reasoning. There is also profound **irony** at play: Amaziah, who just experienced the true God's power in delivering the Edomites into his hand, now bows down to the very gods that failed to protect them from him. This highlights his spiritual blindness and ingratitude. Furthermore, the phrase "the anger of the LORD was kindled" is an example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human emotion (anger) and action (kindling) to God. This device helps human readers grasp the intensity and righteousness of God's holy displeasure against sin, making a transcendent concept relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of idolatry as a direct affront to God's unique sovereignty and a profound act of spiritual folly. It underscores the absolute distinction between the living God, who acts powerfully in history, and the lifeless, impotent idols crafted by human hands. Amaziah's sin is not merely a ceremonial transgression but a deep betrayal of the covenant relationship, demonstrating a heart that has forgotten God's past faithfulness and turned to worthless substitutes. The prophet's question serves as a timeless indictment against all forms of idolatry, whether ancient pagan worship or modern devotion to wealth, power, or self, reminding us that anything we trust in more than God is ultimately powerless to deliver true salvation or lasting peace.

* [Deuteronomy 6:14-15](/deuteronomy/6-14 "Deuteronomy 6:14-15 - Warning Against Following Other Gods")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-23 - The Futility of Exchanging God's Glory for Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Amaziah serves as a stark warning for believers across all generations. It highlights the insidious danger of spiritual amnesia, where past blessings and divine interventions are quickly forgotten, leading to a turning away from the source of all good. We, like Amaziah, can be tempted to seek security, identity, or fulfillment in "gods" that have no power to save or sustain. These modern idols might be career success, financial stability, social status, personal achievements, or even our own wisdom and strength. The prophet's rhetorical question forces us to examine our own lives: What are we "seeking after" that has no power to truly deliver? Are we, in our moments of victory or challenge, turning to anything other than the God who has consistently proven His faithfulness? True spiritual maturity involves maintaining unwavering loyalty and gratitude to God, recognizing that only He is truly sovereign and capable of delivering us from our deepest needs and fears.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "seek after" things that have proven powerless, rather than trusting fully in God?**
* **How does my response to God's blessings and victories reflect my gratitude and ongoing loyalty to Him?**
* **What "idols" in contemporary culture or in my own heart might be subtly displacing God's rightful place, even after I've experienced His deliverance?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper remembrance of God's past faithfulness to guard against spiritual blindness and ingratitude?**

### FAQ
**Why was the LORD's anger "kindled" against Amaziah, especially after granting him victory?**

Answer: The LORD's anger was kindled not because of Amaziah's victory, but precisely *because* of his actions immediately *after* the victory. Instead of giving God the glory for the triumph over Edom, Amaziah brought back the Edomite idols and began to worship them ([2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry After Victory")). This was a direct violation of the first two commandments ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandments")), a profound act of spiritual ingratitude, and an insult to God's unique sovereignty. God's anger is a righteous and holy response to such blatant disloyalty and idolatry from His covenant people. It demonstrates His intolerance for anything that usurps His rightful place.

**What is the significance of the prophet's question, "Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?"**

Answer: The prophet's question is a powerful rhetorical device designed to expose the utter irrationality and spiritual blindness of Amaziah's actions. It highlights the profound irony: Amaziah had just witnessed the Edomite gods' impotence as he conquered their people, yet he chose to worship these very same powerless deities. The question underscores that these idols were demonstrably unable to protect even their own worshippers, let alone provide any true help or salvation to Amaziah. It serves as a sharp rebuke, forcing Amaziah to confront the logical absurdity of his choice and the stark contrast between the living God's power and the idols' futility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Amaziah's idolatry and the impotence of the Edomite gods finds its ultimate fulfillment and contrast in Jesus Christ. Amaziah sought after gods "which could not deliver their own people," but Christ is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one true God who *did* deliver His people from sin and death through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Unlike the lifeless idols that Amaziah worshipped, Jesus is the [living God](/acts/14-15 "Acts 14:15 - Turn to the Living God"), the [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God"), through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Amaziah's spiritual blindness led him to trade the glory of God for worthless things, but in Christ, we see the [fullness of God dwelling bodily](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of God in Christ"). He is the one who truly delivers, not just from earthly enemies, but from the power of sin and the dominion of death, offering [eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") and a [new covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant") where God's law is written on our hearts, empowering us to worship Him in [spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). Thus, Christ stands as the definitive answer to the prophet's question, demonstrating the ultimate power and sufficiency of the one true God.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 96:5

For all the gods of the nations [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

2 Chronicles 25:11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

2 Chronicles 25:12

And [other] ten thousand [left] alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

2 Chronicles 20:37

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

2 Chronicles 24:20

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

Jeremiah 2:5

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Jeremiah 10:7

Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee.