2 Chronicles 25:16

KJV

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, as he talked {H1696} with him, that the king said {H559} unto him, Art thou made {H5414} of the king's {H4428} counsel {H3289}? forbear {H2308}; why shouldest thou be smitten {H5221}? Then the prophet {H5030} forbare {H2308}, and said {H559}, I know {H3045} that God {H430} hath determined {H3289} to destroy {H7843} thee, because thou hast done {H6213} this, and hast not hearkened {H8085} unto my counsel {H6098}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But as [the prophet] was speaking to him, he interrupted him: "Were you made an adviser to the king? You had better stop before you get yourself killed!" So the prophet stopped, but he added, "I know that God is planning to destroy you for having done this and for refusing to listen to my advice."

Berean Standard Bible

While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Have we made thee of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 25:16 vividly portrays King Amaziah's audacious rejection of God's prophetic counsel, marking a tragic and irreversible turning point in his reign. Following a significant military victory, Amaziah inexplicably succumbed to idolatry, prompting a direct divine rebuke through an unnamed prophet. This verse captures Amaziah's arrogant dismissal of the prophet's warning, escalating to a thinly veiled threat of violence. In response, the prophet, discerning the king's hardened heart, ceases further persuasion and solemnly delivers God's unalterable decree of impending destruction, thereby underscoring the severe and inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual pride.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of King Amaziah's reign, immediately following his initial, albeit partial, obedience and subsequent military triumph over Edom. The preceding verses detail Amaziah's decision to hire Israelite mercenaries ([2 Chronicles 25:6](/2_chronicles/25-6 "2 Chronicles 25:6 - Amaziah Hires Mercenaries")), his commendable, though costly, obedience to an unnamed prophet's instruction to dismiss them ([2 Chronicles 25:7-10](/2_chronicles/25-7-10 "2 Chronicles 25:7-10 - Amaziah Dismisses Mercenaries")), and his resultant victory over the Edomites ([2 Chronicles 25:11-13](/2_chronicles/25-11-13 "2 Chronicles 25:11-13 - Victory Over Edom")). However, this success tragically leads to a profound spiritual lapse: Amaziah brings back the idols of Seir and begins to worship them ([2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry")). God then sends a prophet to confront this egregious sin ([2 Chronicles 25:15](/2_chronicles/25-15 "2 Chronicles 25:15 - The Prophet's Rebuke")). Verse 16 captures the king's hostile and defiant reaction to this divine intervention, demonstrating a hardening of heart that stands in stark contrast to his earlier receptiveness. This rejection of God's final warning sets the inexorable trajectory for Amaziah's ultimate downfall, culminating in his defeat by Israel ([2 Chronicles 25:17-24](/2_chronicles/25-17-24 "2 Chronicles 25:17-24 - Amaziah's Defeat by Israel")) and eventual assassination ([2 Chronicles 25:27](/2_chronicles/25-27 "2 Chronicles 25:27 - Amaziah's Assassination")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Amaziah ruled the Southern Kingdom of Judah from approximately 796-767 BC. His reign unfolded during a period of relative political stability but ongoing spiritual volatility within Judah. The practice of adopting and worshipping the deities of conquered nations was a common, yet strictly forbidden, act among ancient Near Eastern monarchs. This act was often an attempt to appropriate the perceived power of the defeated deity or to integrate new religious practices into the national cult. For Israel and Judah, however, such actions constituted a direct and severe violation of the Mosaic Covenant's foundational command against idolatry and syncretism, as articulated in passages like [Deuteronomy 5:7-9](/deuteronomy/5-7-9 "Deuteronomy 5:7-9 - No Other Gods Before Me"). Prophets, like the unnamed messenger in this passage, served as God's direct spokespersons, often at significant personal risk, delivering divine messages of warning, rebuke, or promise to kings and the people. Their role was absolutely crucial in calling the nation back to covenant faithfulness, and rejecting their counsel was understood as tantamount to rejecting God Himself.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Amaziah's reign, particularly as illuminated in [2 Chronicles 25](/2_chronicles/25 "2 Chronicles 25 - Amaziah's Reign"), powerfully illustrates several recurring themes central to the Books of Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the profound **consequences of idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness**, demonstrating how a king's spiritual choices directly impact the nation's destiny and divine favor. Amaziah's initial partial obedience, noted in [2 Chronicles 25:2](/2_chronicles/25-2 "2 Chronicles 25:2 - Amaziah's Initial Reign"), tragically gives way to blatant rebellion, revealing the insidious nature of spiritual pride and the corrupting power of sin. Secondly, the passage emphasizes the **critical importance of heeding divine counsel**, especially when delivered by God's appointed messengers. Amaziah's defiant rejection of the prophet's warning in [2 Chronicles 25:16](/2_chronicles/25-16 "2 Chronicles 25:16 - Amaziah Rejects the Prophet") represents a tragic reversal of his earlier receptiveness, leading directly to his demise. Finally, the account highlights God's **sovereign justice and the inevitability of divine judgment** when warnings are ignored and hearts are persistently hardened. The prophet's final declaration, "God hath determined to destroy thee," reveals that there are limits to divine patience, and persistent rebellion will ultimately incur God's righteous wrath.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forbare (Hebrew, _châdal'_):** This verb (H2308) signifies "to cease," "to desist," or "to refrain." In the context of the prophet's action, it indicates that he stopped his attempts to persuade or reason with Amaziah. This cessation is not a sign of weakness or fear, but rather a profound recognition that the king's heart had become so hardened that further argument would be futile. The moment for counsel and repentance had passed; only the pronouncement of God's unalterable judgment remained. This dramatic cessation marks a critical shift in the divine interaction with Amaziah, signaling the end of God's persuasive grace and the onset of His determined justice.
* **determined (Hebrew, _yâʻats'_):** The verb (H3289) means "to advise," "to consult," "to deliberate," or "to resolve/determine." Here, it conveys a sense of a firm, unchangeable, and decisive divine decree. It indicates that God's patience has reached its limit, and His judgment is now fixed and inevitable. This is not a conditional threat but a declaration of a settled divine purpose, a direct consequence of Amaziah's persistent idolatry and his arrogant rejection of God's final warning. The counsel is no longer for Amaziah's good, but God's determination concerning Amaziah's fate.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** This verb (H7843) means "to decay," "to ruin," "to corrupt," or "to destroy." When used in conjunction with "determined," it conveys the absolute certainty and severity of the impending judgment. It implies a comprehensive ruin, not just a minor setback, but a complete undoing of Amaziah's reign and life. This destruction is presented as the direct and unavoidable consequence of Amaziah's actions and his hardened heart, demonstrating the ultimate outcome of defying the divine will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel?":** This opening clause sets the scene, capturing the precise moment of direct confrontation between King Amaziah and the prophet. Amaziah's question is rhetorical, laced with sarcasm and contempt, serving to challenge the prophet's authority and legitimacy. By asking "Art thou made of the king's counsel?", Amaziah implies that the prophet is an unauthorized intruder, presuming to advise the king without royal appointment or sanction. This reveals Amaziah's inflated sense of self-importance and his utter disdain for divine authority when it contradicts his personal desires or perceived royal prerogative.
* **"forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?":** This is Amaziah's direct, imperious command and a thinly veiled threat to the prophet. "Forbear" here is an imperative, meaning "stop speaking" or "desist from your counsel." The follow-up rhetorical question, "why shouldest thou be smitten?", is a clear implication of physical violence or even execution. Amaziah, in his pride and anger, is willing to silence God's messenger, demonstrating the depths of his rebellion and his readiness to use his royal power to suppress divine truth and maintain his sinful practices.
* **"Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.":** This final, weighty statement encapsulates the tragic outcome of Amaziah's defiance. The prophet's "forbearing" (ceasing to argue or persuade) is not submission to Amaziah's threat but a solemn recognition that the time for persuasion is over. He then delivers God's final, irreversible verdict. "I know that God hath determined to destroy thee" is a declaration of certain and inevitable judgment. The reasons are explicitly stated: "because thou hast done this" (referring to his idolatry in [2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry")) and "hast not hearkened unto my counsel" (his rejection of the prophet's warning in [2 Chronicles 25:15](/2_chronicles/25-15 "2 Chronicles 25:15 - The Prophet's Rebuke")). This confirms that Amaziah's destruction is a direct, divine consequence of his persistent sin and hardened heart, sealing his fate.

#### Literary Devices
This verse is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as Amaziah's attempt to silence the prophet inadvertently precipitates the very judgment he seeks to avoid. His arrogant question about the prophet's counsel and his threat of smiting him only serve to confirm his spiritual blindness and seal his fate. The prophet's "forbearing" creates a moment of profound **Suspense** before the inevitable pronouncement of judgment, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the finality of God's decision. The entire interaction functions as a **Climax** in Amaziah's spiritual decline, marking the point of no return where divine patience gives way to divine decree. The **Dialogue** itself is highly charged, showcasing the stark contrast between human pride and divine authority, and the prophet's unwavering faithfulness in delivering an unpopular, yet crucial, message. The use of direct speech lends immediacy and visceral power to the confrontation, making the exchange feel intensely personal and consequential.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 25:16 serves as a stark theological warning against the perils of a hardened heart and the deliberate rejection of divine counsel. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His righteous justice in holding His people accountable for idolatry and disobedience. Amaziah's trajectory from partial obedience to outright rebellion, culminating in this defiant exchange, illustrates the principle that persistent rejection of God's truth leads to an irreversible state of judgment. God's patience is immense and longsuffering, but it is not infinite; there comes a point where His warnings cease, and His determined judgment is enacted. This verse highlights the solemn truth that true wisdom lies in humility and immediate repentance when confronted with God's word, rather than prideful resistance and defiance. It is a powerful reminder that God will not be mocked, and His word, whether of blessing or judgment, will ultimately stand.

* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck will suddenly be destroyed, with no remedy.")
* [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23-26 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - Disobedience and Stubbornness")
* [Hebrews 3:7-8](/hebrews/3-7-8 "Hebrews 3:7-8 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of King Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25:16 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual success or outward conformity to religious practices does not guarantee a truly devoted heart. Amaziah's initial obedience and military victory were quickly overshadowed by pride and idolatry, demonstrating how easily success can breed self-sufficiency and lead to a perilous spiritual decline. We are called to cultivate a heart that remains soft and receptive to God's voice, even when His counsel is challenging, confronts our cherished sins, or requires uncomfortable change. The danger lies not just in outright rebellion, but in the subtle hardening that occurs when we repeatedly dismiss warnings, whether from Scripture, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, or wise counsel from faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. This verse compels us to examine our own lives with honest introspection: Do we truly listen to God's word with a desire to obey, or do we, like Amaziah, threaten to silence uncomfortable truths that expose our shortcomings? Our spiritual well-being and eternal trajectory hinge on our willingness to humble ourselves and heed divine wisdom before we reach a point of no return, where God's patient counsel gives way to His determined judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be prone to hardening your heart against God's counsel or the conviction of the Holy Spirit?**
* **How do you typically respond when God's truth, through Scripture or wise counsel, challenges your comfortable routines, cherished desires, or habitual sins?**
* **What role does spiritual pride or self-sufficiency play in your willingness (or unwillingness) to receive correction and humble yourself before God?**
* **What practical steps can you take today to cultivate a more humble, receptive, and obedient heart to God's ongoing guidance and warnings?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that the prophet "forbare"?**

Answer: When King Amaziah threatened the prophet, telling him to "forbear" (stop speaking) or face being "smitten," the prophet indeed "forbare." This does not imply that he gave in to Amaziah's threat out of fear or weakness. Instead, the Hebrew word _châdal_ (H2308) signifies that he ceased his attempts to persuade or reason with the king. It was a profound recognition that Amaziah's heart had become so hardened by pride and idolatry that further argument would be utterly useless. The time for pleading and an offer of repentance was over, and the time for God's definitive, unalterable judgment had arrived. It signifies a solemn shift from an opportunity for grace to a declaration of inevitable consequence, underscoring the severity of Amaziah's rejection of divine counsel as detailed in [2 Chronicles 25:15](/2_chronicles/25-15 "2 Chronicles 25:15 - The Prophet's Rebuke").

**What was the "this" that Amaziah had "done" that led to his destruction?**

Answer: The "this" refers directly to King Amaziah's egregious act of idolatry described in [2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry"). After his military victory over the Edomites, Amaziah inexplicably brought back the gods of the people of Seir and set them up as his own gods, bowing down to them and burning incense to them. This was a direct and blatant violation of God's covenant with Israel, which strictly forbade the worship of any other gods. The prophet's declaration of destruction was a direct consequence of this profound spiritual betrayal and Amaziah's subsequent refusal to repent when confronted with God's truth. His actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the God who had granted him victory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 25:16 powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of rejecting God's prophetic word under the Old Covenant, it also implicitly points to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ. The prophet in this passage, though faithful, was merely a human messenger, and his message, though divine, was one of judgment for a specific act of rebellion. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the **Prophet par excellence** (cf. [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses"), fulfilled in [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter's Sermon on the Prophet Like Moses")), the very Word of God incarnate (cf. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")). He came not primarily to condemn the world, but to offer salvation and reconciliation (cf. [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Did Not Send His Son to Condemn")). However, just as Amaziah faced destruction for hardening his heart against God's messenger, so too does humanity face ultimate judgment for rejecting the perfect and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The New Testament warns of a greater condemnation for those who "neglect so great a salvation" offered through Christ (cf. [Hebrews 2:3](/hebrews/2-3 "Hebrews 2:3 - How Shall We Escape?")). Yet, for those who humble themselves and heed His call, Christ offers not destruction, but eternal life and forgiveness, demonstrating God's ultimate mercy and grace that transcends the judgments of the Old Covenant, all made possible through His atoning sacrifice (cf. [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Own Love")). The prophet's "forbearing" and declaration of judgment foreshadows the ultimate choice presented to all humanity: to embrace the counsel of Christ and live, or to reject Him and face the just and inevitable consequences.

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

2 Chronicles 24:21

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

Acts 4:28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Matthew 21:23

¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Ephesians 1:11

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Exodus 9:16

And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Isaiah 30:10

Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: