2 Chronicles 25:17

KJV

¶ Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} took advice {H3289}, and sent {H7971} to Joash {H3101}, the son {H1121} of Jehoahaz {H3059}, the son {H1121} of Jehu {H3058}, king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Come {H3212}, let us see one another {H7200} in the face {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, after taking counsel, Amatzyah king of Y'hudah sent a challenge to Yo'ash the son of Y'ho'achaz, the son of Yehu, king of Isra'el: "Come on, let's have it out face-to-face."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.

American Standard Version

Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 25:17 records a pivotal and ill-fated decision by Amaziah, King of Judah, following his divinely-aided victory over Edom and his subsequent spiritual decline into idolatry. Despite having just rejected a prophet's warning against his worship of Edomite gods, Amaziah, now emboldened by pride and a misplaced sense of invincibility, formally dispatched a challenge to Joash, King of Israel, initiating a direct military confrontation. This audacious and defiant declaration of war, born from spiritual rebellion and human arrogance, set the stage for a devastating defeat for Judah and ultimately contributed to Amaziah's tragic demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Amaziah's reign, serving as the immediate catalyst for his downfall. It directly follows his significant military success against the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, a victory that was explicitly attributed to divine assistance after Amaziah had obediently dismissed the Israelite mercenaries (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 25:11-13](/2_chronicles/25-11 "2 Chronicles 25:11-13 - Amaziah's Victory Over Edom")). However, instead of glorifying God for this triumph, Amaziah shockingly brought back the idols of Edom and began to worship them, an egregious act of apostasy described in [2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry"). A prophet was then sent by the Lord to confront Amaziah, but the king defiantly rejected this divine counsel, even threatening the prophet (as recorded in [2 Chronicles 25:15-16](/2_chronicles/25-15 "2 Chronicles 25:15-16 - Amaziah Rejects the Prophet's Warning")). Thus, his decision to challenge Joash of Israel is not an isolated incident but a direct consequence of his spiritual rebellion, pride, and rejection of God's clear warnings, setting the stage for the disastrous battle that follows in [2 Chronicles 25:18-24](/2_chronicles/25-18 "2 Chronicles 25:18-24 - The Battle of Beth Shemesh").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the divided monarchy was characterized by persistent tension and intermittent conflict between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, despite their shared heritage. Since the schism under Rehoboam and Jeroboam (see [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom")), the two kingdoms frequently engaged in rivalry, border disputes, and outright warfare. Amaziah's challenge to Joash likely stemmed from a complex mix of factors: the recent dismissal of Israelite mercenaries (who had been paid but not allowed to fight alongside Judah, leading to their raiding Judahite towns on their return, as noted in [2 Chronicles 25:9-10](/2_chronicles/25-9 "2 Chronicles 25:9-10 - Dismissal of Israelite Mercenaries")), a desire to assert Judah's dominance after his Edomite victory, or perhaps even a divine judgment using Joash as an instrument. The phrase "Come, let us see one another in the face" was a formal, ancient Near Eastern idiom for issuing a direct challenge to battle, signifying a desire for a decisive military engagement rather than negotiation or diplomacy. The detailed lineage of Joash ("the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu") serves to formally identify the rival king and emphasize the dynastic continuity of the northern kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes prevalent in the books of Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the destructive nature of **Pride and Presumption**, showing how Amaziah's success against Edom inflated his ego, leading him to believe he could conquer Israel despite having just offended God. This serves as a stark example of the biblical principle that "[Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")". Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Rejection of Divine Counsel**. Amaziah "took advice," but it was human counsel aligning with his own pride, not the divine wisdom he had just spurned from the prophet. His actions demonstrate a dangerous pattern of choosing self-will and human strategy over God's clear guidance, a theme echoed in passages like [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord"). Thirdly, it reveals the persistent **Inter-Kingdom Hostility** between Judah and Israel, a recurring narrative element throughout the monarchical period. Finally, and most significantly, it foreshadows the **Consequences of Disobedience and Idolatry**. Amaziah's challenge to Joash, born directly from his idolatry and defiance, would lead to a devastating defeat for Judah, the plundering of Jerusalem, and ultimately, Amaziah's own tragic assassination, demonstrating God's unwavering justice against those who turn from Him, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Took advice (Hebrew, יָעַץ, _ya'ats'_):** The verb יָעַץ (_ya'ats_) means "to advise, counsel, consult." While it can imply seeking wise counsel, in this context, it suggests a deliberation that is tragically devoid of divine input. Amaziah consulted with his human advisors, likely those who affirmed his inflated sense of power and desire for revenge, rather than heeding the prophet sent by God. This highlights a critical distinction between human wisdom and divine wisdom, with the former often leading to disaster when God's counsel is ignored.
* **Sent (Hebrew, שָׁלַח, _shalach'_):** The verb שָׁלַח (_shalach_) simply means "to send, stretch out." Here, it denotes a formal dispatch, indicating a deliberate and official communication. This was not a casual remark but a solemn and public declaration of intent, a formal challenge delivered by envoys, underscoring the gravity and premeditated nature of Amaziah's decision.
* **See one another in the face (Hebrew, נִרְאֶה פָנִים, _nir'eh panim'_):** This idiomatic phrase, נִרְאֶה פָנִים (_nir'eh panim_), literally translates to "let us see faces." In the context of two opposing kings, it is a well-established ancient Near Eastern idiom for a direct challenge to battle, a call for a decisive military confrontation. It signifies a desire to meet on the battlefield, face to face, to settle a dispute by force of arms rather than through negotiation or diplomacy. Amaziah's use of this phrase conveys his aggressive intent, his confidence in his own strength, and his readiness for war.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice":** This opening clause immediately draws attention to Amaziah's decision-making process. The phrase "took advice" suggests a deliberate, calculated move, but the preceding verses (2 Chr 25:14-16) reveal that this counsel was human, not divine. Having just rejected God's prophet, Amaziah relied on his own judgment and that of his earthly advisors, setting a dangerous precedent for his subsequent actions.
* **"and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying":** This specifies the recipient of Amaziah's challenge and the formal method of delivery. The detailed lineage of Joash serves to clearly identify the reigning monarch of the northern kingdom, emphasizing the official, inter-kingdom nature of the communication. The act of "sending" implies a formal diplomatic or military challenge, not a casual taunt, elevating the tension between the two rival nations.
* **"Come, let us see one another in the face.":** This is the heart of the verse, the direct challenge itself. As an idiom for battle, it encapsulates Amaziah's audacious and aggressive intent. It is an invitation to war, a declaration that he wished to resolve the underlying tensions and perhaps avenge past grievances (like the mercenary issue or general inter-kingdom rivalry) through a decisive military engagement. This challenge, however, was born not of strategic wisdom but of pride and spiritual blindness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and foreshadow future events. The most prominent is **Idiom**, specifically the phrase "Come, let us see one another in the face," which is a well-known ancient Near Eastern expression for a direct challenge to battle. This idiomatic language immediately communicates Amaziah's aggressive intent and his desire for a decisive military confrontation. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, as Amaziah's audacious challenge directly sets the stage for the disastrous battle that follows, where Judah suffers a crushing defeat. The king's prideful declaration here anticipates the humiliation and destruction that await him. There is also an element of **Irony** present; Amaziah "took advice," but the irony lies in the fact that he had just vehemently rejected divine advice from a prophet, choosing instead to follow human counsel that led him to ruin. This highlights the tragic contrast between the wisdom of God and the folly of man's pride.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 25:17 serves as a poignant illustration of the perilous consequences of pride and the rejection of divine counsel. Amaziah's actions demonstrate a fundamental theological error: mistaking God's blessing (victory over Edom) for personal prowess, which then fueled an arrogant self-reliance. This narrative underscores the biblical truth that success, when not properly attributed to God, can become a stumbling block, leading to spiritual blindness and disastrous decisions. His challenge to Joash, made after spurning God's warning, reveals a heart hardened by idolatry and defiance, inviting divine judgment rather than continued favor.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")
* [Isaiah 30:1-2](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-2 - Woe to Rebellious Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amaziah's story in 2 Chronicles 25:17 is a powerful and sobering mirror for believers today. It serves as a stark warning against the insidious nature of pride, especially in the wake of success or blessing. When God grants us victories, whether in personal struggles, professional achievements, or spiritual growth, the temptation to attribute that success to our own strength, wisdom, or effort can be overwhelming. Amaziah's immediate turn to idolatry and his subsequent defiant challenge to Israel after a divinely-aided victory illustrate how quickly a heart can become hardened and self-reliant when humility is abandoned. This narrative compels us to constantly examine our motives, to remain vigilant against the subtle creep of arrogance, and to consistently acknowledge God as the source of all good things. It reminds us that true wisdom lies not in human counsel or inflated self-confidence, but in humble submission to God's Word and His Spirit, even when His guidance seems counterintuitive or challenging to our desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I recently experienced success or blessing? How have I responded to these moments – with humility and gratitude, or with a subtle increase in self-reliance or pride?**
* **Have there been times when I have "taken advice" from human sources or my own desires, while neglecting or actively rejecting God's clear counsel from His Word or through godly wisdom? What were the consequences?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God, especially after significant achievements, to avoid the pitfalls of Amaziah's pride?**
* **What "battles" am I tempted to engage in out of pride or a desire for self-vindication, rather than seeking God's will and timing?**

### FAQ
**Why did Amaziah challenge Joash after his victory over Edom?**

Answer: Amaziah's challenge to Joash was a complex decision rooted in a combination of factors, primarily his inflated pride and spiritual rebellion. After his significant, divinely-aided victory over Edom (see [2 Chronicles 25:11-13](/2_chronicles/25-11 "2 Chronicles 25:11-13 - Amaziah's Victory Over Edom")), Amaziah's ego was greatly boosted. Instead of giving glory to God, he brought back the Edomite idols and began to worship them, an act of severe apostasy (as described in [2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry")). He then defiantly rejected a prophet's warning against this idolatry (found in [2 Chronicles 25:15-16](/2_chronicles/25-15 "2 Chronicles 25:15-16 - Amaziah Rejects the Prophet's Warning")). His challenge to Israel was likely fueled by this newfound arrogance, perhaps a desire to reclaim territory or settle old scores, such as the raiding of Judahite towns by the Israelite mercenaries he had dismissed before the Edomite war (referenced in [2 Chronicles 25:9-10](/2_chronicles/25-9 "2 Chronicles 25:9-10 - Dismissal of Israelite Mercenaries")). Ultimately, it was a decision born from a heart turned away from God, leading to divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amaziah's tragic story, culminating in his prideful challenge in [2 Chronicles 25:17](/2_chronicles/25-17 "2 Chronicles 25:17 - Amaziah Challenges Joash"), stands in stark contrast to the perfect humility and divine wisdom embodied by Jesus Christ. Amaziah, a king of Judah, sought human counsel and acted out of self-exaltation, leading his kingdom to defeat and himself to a tragic end. In contrast, Jesus, the true King of Judah and the Son of God, consistently sought and submitted to the will of His Father, even to the point of death on a cross (as illuminated in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). While Amaziah challenged an earthly king to a physical battle for earthly dominion, Christ engaged in a far greater spiritual warfare, confronting the powers of sin and death (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His "face-to-face" encounter was not with an earthly adversary for personal gain, but with the very forces of evil, ultimately defeating them through His sacrifice and resurrection, securing eternal victory for all who believe (as proclaimed in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Amaziah's failure to heed divine counsel highlights humanity's desperate need for a perfect King, one who is Himself the embodiment of divine wisdom and who leads His people not to earthly defeat, but to eternal triumph through His own perfect obedience and self-sacrificial love, inviting us to "see His face" in glory (as promised in [Revelation 22:4](/revelation/22-4 "Revelation 22:4 - Seeing God's Face")).

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 Kings 14:8

¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

2 Kings 14:14

And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.

Proverbs 20:3

¶ [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

2 Chronicles 25:13

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.

2 Samuel 2:14

And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.