2 Chronicles 25:27

Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

Now after the time {H6256} that Amaziah {H558} did turn away {H5493} from following {H310} the LORD {H3068} they made {H7194} a conspiracy {H7195} against him in Jerusalem {H3389}; and he fled {H5127} to Lachish {H3923}: but they sent {H7971} to Lachish {H3923} after {H310} him, and slew {H4191} him there.

From the time that Amatzyahu turned away from following ADONAI, they formed a conspiracy against him in Yerushalayim. So he fled to Lakhish; but they followed him to Lakhish and killed him there.

From the time that Amaziah turned from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there.

Now from the time that Amaziah did turn away from following Jehovah they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 25:27 (KJV)

The verse 2 Chronicles 25:27 marks the tragic end of King Amaziah's reign in Judah, directly attributing his demise to his spiritual apostasy. It highlights the severe consequences of turning away from God.

Context

King Amaziah of Judah, son of Joash, initially began his reign by doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, though not with a perfect heart. He successfully avenged his father's death and defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt. However, his fatal error occurred immediately after this victory: he brought back the gods of Seir and set them up as his gods, bowing down to them and burning incense. This act of idolatry provoked the Lord, who sent a prophet to warn him, but Amaziah refused to listen (2 Chronicles 25:15-16). His subsequent arrogant challenge to King Joash of Israel led to a humiliating defeat, the plundering of Jerusalem, and the destruction of part of its wall (2 Chronicles 25:17-24). It was "after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD" that the conspiracy against him formed, ultimately leading to his assassination.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Apostasy: The verse directly links Amaziah's downfall and violent death to his abandonment of the Lord. It serves as a stark reminder that turning away from God often leads to severe and undesirable outcomes, both personally and politically, especially for leaders.
  • Divine Retribution: While carried out by human agents (the conspirators), the narrative implies divine judgment upon Amaziah for his idolatry and unrepentant heart. His end is presented as a direct consequence of his spiritual rebellion.
  • Leadership Accountability: A king's spiritual integrity profoundly impacted the stability and prosperity of his kingdom. Amaziah's personal sin had public repercussions, eroding his authority and leading to rebellion within his own court.
  • The Slippery Slope of Sin: Amaziah's journey from initial obedience to blatant idolatry illustrates how spiritual complacency can lead to a complete departure from God's ways, culminating in destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "turn away from following the LORD" (Hebrew: `sûr mē'aḥărê Yahweh`) signifies a deliberate and decisive departure from covenant faithfulness. It describes an act of apostasy, a conscious turning away from God's commands and worship. The word "conspiracy" (Hebrew: `qesher`) denotes a secret plot or binding agreement among individuals to overthrow authority, highlighting the treachery involved in Amaziah's assassination. Lachish was a significant fortified city in the Shephelah region of Judah, suggesting Amaziah sought refuge in a place of strength, yet it could not save him from his fate.

Practical Application

Amaziah's story offers a powerful lesson for all believers today. It underscores the critical importance of consistent faithfulness to God, not just outward obedience. We are reminded that:

  • Spiritual Vigilance is Key: Even after experiencing success or divine blessing, it is crucial to remain humble and devoted to God, guarding against spiritual pride or complacency.
  • Beware of Idolatry in Any Form: Idolatry isn't just bowing to statues; it's anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—money, power, success, relationships, or even our own desires. Such misplaced devotion can lead to spiritual and personal ruin.
  • Personal Choices Have Consequences: Especially for those in positions of influence, personal moral and spiritual choices can have far-reaching effects on others and on one's own destiny.
  • God's Warnings Should Be Heeded: Like Amaziah, we often receive warnings (through Scripture, wise counsel, or circumstances) when we stray. Ignoring these warnings can lead to tragic outcomes.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 24:25 (2 votes)

    And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

  • Joshua 10:31 (2 votes)

    And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:

  • 2 Kings 14:19 (2 votes)

    Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:2 (2 votes)

    And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.