2 Chronicles 25:25

KJV

And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Amaziah {H558} the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} lived {H2421} after {H310} the death {H4194} of Joash {H3101} son {H1121} of Jehoahaz {H3059} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} fifteen {H2568}{H6240} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Amatzyahu the son of Yo'ash, king of Y'hudah, lived another fifteen years after the death of Yo'ash son of Y'ho'achaz king of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah lived for fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 25:25 serves as a crucial chronological marker within the narrative of King Amaziah of Judah, succinctly stating that he survived for fifteen years following the death of King Joash of Israel. This seemingly simple historical note encapsulates a period of significant consequence for Amaziah, marking the aftermath of his humiliating defeat at Beth-shemesh and preceding his eventual assassination, underscoring the lingering repercussions of his spiritual decline and political folly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the conclusion of a pivotal section detailing Amaziah's reign, specifically after the account of his disastrous war with King Joash of Israel. The preceding verses in [2 Chronicles 25](/2_chronicles/25 "2 Chronicles 25 - Amaziah's Reign") recount Amaziah's initial righteous acts, his great victory over Edom, and his subsequent catastrophic turn to idolatry ([2 Chronicles 25:14](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14 - Amaziah's Idolatry")). His pride led him to challenge Joash, resulting in Judah's crushing defeat, the capture of Amaziah, the breaching of Jerusalem's wall, and the plundering of the Temple treasury ([2 Chronicles 25:20-24](/2_chronicles/25-20 "2 Chronicles 25:20-24 - Amaziah's Defeat by Joash")). Verse 25, therefore, functions as a bridge, summarizing the duration of Amaziah's post-defeat life before the final verses of the chapter detail his ultimate demise through conspiracy ([2 Chronicles 25:27-28](/2_chronicles/25-27 "2 Chronicles 25:27-28 - Amaziah's Assassination")). It highlights a period of sustained, troubled reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in 2 Chronicles 25 falls within the era of the Divided Monarchy, where the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah often engaged in conflict, despite their shared heritage. King Amaziah ruled Judah from approximately 796-767 BC, while King Joash ruled Israel from approximately 798-782 BC. The mention of Joash's death is significant because it marks the end of a powerful adversary for Judah and provides a chronological anchor for Amaziah's remaining years. Culturally, kingship in both Judah and Israel was deeply intertwined with religious fidelity; a king's success or failure was frequently attributed to his obedience or disobedience to Yahweh, as seen vividly in Amaziah's trajectory from initial obedience to idolatry and subsequent defeat. The chronicler's emphasis on the duration of Amaziah's life *after* Joash's death subtly underscores the prolonged consequences of Amaziah's spiritual and political missteps.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **retributive justice**, where a king's actions, particularly their fidelity to God, directly impact their reign's prosperity or decline. Amaziah's initial success followed by his tragic downfall due to idolatry and pride is a prime example, with the fifteen years serving as a period of living under the shadow of divine judgment. Secondly, it highlights the **fragility and consequences of the Divided Monarchy**, showcasing the destructive internal conflicts between Judah and Israel, which weakened both kingdoms and diverted attention from their covenantal obligations. The battle at Beth-shemesh, leading to Amaziah's humiliation, is a stark reminder of this. Lastly, the verse functions as a **chronological marker**, emphasizing the Chronicler's meticulous attention to historical detail and the passing of time, often linking it to the spiritual state of the kings and the nation, as seen in the broader narrative of [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles - History of the Kings of Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"lived after" (Hebrew, _ḥāyāh 'aḥar_):** This phrase emphasizes the *duration* of Amaziah's existence following a specific, significant event—the death of his adversary, King Joash. It's not merely that he was alive, but that his life *continued* for a distinct period *after* a major turning point. This highlights a period of lingering consequences and a reign that, though extended, was marked by the shadow of his earlier defeat and spiritual apostasy. The chronicler often uses such temporal markers to underscore divine providence and the unfolding of historical judgment.
* **"fifteen years" (Hebrew, _ḥamish 'esreh shanim_):** This precise numerical detail provides a specific chronological framework for the remainder of Amaziah's reign after Joash's death. It indicates that Amaziah did not immediately perish from his defeat but endured for a substantial period. For the Chronicler, such specific timeframes often serve to emphasize the long-term effects of a king's choices, allowing for a period of reflection, potential repentance (though Amaziah did not fully repent), and the eventual outworking of divine judgment. It sets the stage for his eventual assassination, suggesting a prolonged period of internal unrest or dissatisfaction among his people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah":** This clause identifies the subject of the verse, King Amaziah of Judah, specifying his lineage (son of Joash) and his kingdom. This immediately places him within the Davidic lineage and the southern kingdom, setting the stage for the focus on his reign's trajectory.
* **"lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel":** This central phrase provides the key chronological reference point. It states that Amaziah's life extended beyond the demise of his northern counterpart, King Joash of Israel, who had inflicted a humiliating defeat upon him. This juxtaposition of the two kings' lifespans highlights the continued existence of Amaziah, despite the national catastrophe he had brought upon Judah, and the passing of his victorious foe.
* **"fifteen years":** This final phrase quantifies the duration of Amaziah's post-Joash life. It specifies that this period was not brief but extended for a decade and a half, allowing for the full weight of his earlier actions to manifest in his continued reign and eventual tragic end. It serves as a precise historical detail that anchors the narrative.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this concise verse. Primarily, it functions as a **Chronological Marker**, providing a precise temporal anchor for Amaziah's post-defeat reign, linking it to the death of his adversary, Joash. This precision is characteristic of the Chronicler's historical methodology. There is also an element of **Juxtaposition**, as the verse explicitly contrasts Amaziah's continued life with Joash's death, subtly highlighting the irony of Amaziah surviving his victorious opponent only to face a prolonged period of decline and a conspiratorial end. Furthermore, one might discern a subtle **Foreshadowing** in this seemingly neutral statement. The mention of Amaziah's continued life *after* such a significant defeat, without immediate divine intervention or repentance, hints at the unresolved consequences that would ultimately lead to his assassination, as detailed in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 25:25, though a simple chronological statement, carries significant theological weight by underscoring the long-term consequences of spiritual compromise and pride. Amaziah's survival for fifteen years after his defeat and Joash's death is not presented as a sign of divine favor, but rather as a period during which the seeds of his earlier idolatry and foolish challenge bore bitter fruit. His reign, though extended, was marked by the loss of respect, the lingering humiliation of a breached wall and plundered Temple, and ultimately, a conspiracy that ended his life. This serves as a stark reminder that God's judgment, while sometimes immediate, can also unfold over time, allowing for a prolonged experience of the repercussions of disobedience. It highlights the Chronicler's consistent message: faithfulness leads to blessing, while apostasy leads to decline and judgment, even if the full consequences are not immediately apparent.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Patience Leads to Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The life of King Amaziah, particularly the fifteen years chronicled in this verse, offers a profound cautionary tale for believers today. It illustrates that surviving a crisis or even outliving an adversary does not equate to spiritual victory or restored favor. Amaziah's extended life after his defeat was not a period of repentance and renewal, but one shadowed by the consequences of his earlier choices—idolatry, pride, and a foolish challenge to God's warnings. This reminds us that a "good start" in faith is not enough; enduring faithfulness is paramount. We must constantly guard our hearts against pride and the allure of idols, whether they be material possessions, worldly success, or self-reliance. The lingering effects of Amaziah's sin serve as a powerful warning: unaddressed sin and unrepentant pride can lead to a prolonged period of spiritual decline and ultimately, a tragic end, even if one physically survives the initial fallout. Our true victory is found not in outliving our enemies, but in living fully for Christ, consistently seeking His will, and humbly submitting to His refining work throughout our entire lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might a "good start" in faith, followed by spiritual compromise, manifest in a believer's life today?**
* **What "idols" (things we give ultimate allegiance to besides God) might subtly creep into our lives after periods of success or blessing?**
* **In what ways might the "fifteen years" of Amaziah's life after his defeat challenge our understanding of immediate vs. long-term consequences of sin?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart of enduring humility and steadfast faithfulness, even after experiencing setbacks or periods of difficulty?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Chronicler specifically mention Amaziah living "after the death of Joash" and for "fifteen years"?**

Answer: The Chronicler's specific mention of Amaziah living "after the death of Joash" and for "fifteen years" serves multiple purposes. Chronologically, it provides a precise historical marker for the duration of Amaziah's reign following his humiliating defeat by Joash of Israel. Theologically, it highlights that Amaziah did not immediately die from his defeat, but continued to rule for a significant period. This prolonged period allowed the full weight of the consequences of his spiritual apostasy and pride to unfold. It underscores that divine judgment, while certain, is not always instantaneous and can involve a prolonged experience of the repercussions of sin. For the Chronicler, such details often emphasize the principle that a king's actions have long-term effects on their reign and the nation, leading to a period of decline and eventual tragic end, as seen in Amaziah's assassination in [2 Chronicles 25:27](/2_chronicles/25-27 "2 Chronicles 25:27 - Amaziah's Assassination"). It implicitly suggests that these fifteen years were not a period of restoration but of continued spiritual and political decay.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 25:25 primarily serves as a historical and chronological marker within the narrative of a flawed earthly king, it indirectly points to the profound contrast between human kingship and the perfect, enduring reign of Christ. Amaziah's "fifteen years" after Joash's death were a period of lingering shame and ultimate decline, culminating in his assassination. His life, marked by initial promise followed by pride and idolatry, stands in stark contrast to the reign of Jesus, the true King. Unlike Amaziah, whose survival after defeat merely prolonged a troubled reign, Christ's "death and resurrection" ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Death and Resurrection")) was not a defeat but the ultimate victory over sin and death. He "lived after" His triumph over the grave, not for a mere fifteen years, but for eternity, establishing a kingdom that "shall have no end" ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Christ")). Where Amaziah's pride led to a breached wall and plundered treasury, Christ's humility and obedience unto death secured an eternal inheritance for His people ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, the Mediator of a New Covenant")). The tragic end of Amaziah's extended but troubled reign highlights the need for a perfect, faithful King whose life and rule are not marred by sin or subject to human conspiracy, a King whose victory is absolute and whose reign brings eternal life and true peace, found only in Jesus Christ, the "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings")).

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 14:17

And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.

2 Kings 14:22

He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.