2 Chronicles 25:7

But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD [is] not with Israel, [to wit, with] all the children of Ephraim.

But there came {H935} a man {H376} of God {H430} to him, saying {H559}, O king {H4428}, let not the army {H6635} of Israel {H3478} go {H935} with thee; for the LORD {H3068} is not with Israel {H3478}, to wit, with all the children {H1121} of Ephraim {H669}.

But a man of God came to him and said, "King, don't let the army of Isra'el go with you; because ADONAI is not with Isra'el or with any of the people of Efrayim.

But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites.

But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for Jehovah is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.

2 Chronicles 25:7 (KJV) records a pivotal moment for King Amaziah of Judah, where a prophet delivers a direct warning from God concerning his military strategy.

Context

King Amaziah, who reigned over Judah, had gathered an army of 300,000 choice men from Judah and Benjamin for a campaign against Edom. In an attempt to bolster his forces, he also hired 100,000 mighty men of valour from the Northern Kingdom of Israel (specifically "all the children of Ephraim") for one hundred talents of silver. This verse introduces an unnamed "man of God" (a prophet) who intervenes to prevent this alliance. The historical backdrop is the divided monarchy, where Judah (the Southern Kingdom) generally sought to follow the LORD, while Israel (the Northern Kingdom), led by figures like Ephraim, had largely strayed into idolatry and disobedience since the time of Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Warning: The verse highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, sending a messenger to warn Amaziah against a detrimental decision. It underscores the importance of seeking and heeding divine counsel.
  • Consequences of Ungodly Alliances: The core message is that the LORD's presence and blessing were not with the Northern Kingdom due to their persistent sin. Teaming with them would mean sharing in their spiritual liability and inviting God's disfavor upon Judah's campaign. This principle applies to all areas of life, warning against alliances that compromise faith or values.
  • Trust in God's Power: Implicit in the warning is the call for Amaziah to rely solely on God's strength and provision, rather than human might or questionable alliances. The prophet's subsequent words (2 Chronicles 25:9) reinforce that God is able to give far more than any human payment or military advantage.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to wit, with all the children of Ephraim" serves as an explanatory clarification. "To wit" is an archaic English expression meaning "namely" or "that is to say." It emphasizes that the prophet's warning specifically targets the soldiers from the Northern Kingdom, particularly identifying them with Ephraim, which was often used as a metonym for the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel due to its prominence and size. This distinction is crucial because Judah, led by Amaziah, was meant to be the kingdom where the LORD's presence resided, unlike the idolatrous kingdom of Ephraim.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 25:7 offers a timeless lesson on the wisdom of discerning partnerships and the absolute necessity of relying on God. Just as King Amaziah was warned against an alliance that would compromise his mission, we are called to be mindful of who or what we align ourselves with, whether in business, relationships, or personal endeavors. The verse encourages a deep trust in God's ability to provide and protect, even when human resources seem insufficient. Our strength and success come not from worldly alliances, but from Christ who strengthens us, and from walking in obedience to His commands.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 19:2

    And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 13:12

    And, behold, God himself [is] with us for [our] captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

  • Hosea 9:13

    Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, [is] planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

  • Isaiah 28:1

    ¶ Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty [is] a fading flower, which [are] on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

  • Isaiah 28:3

    The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

  • 2 Timothy 3:17

    That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

  • 2 Samuel 12:1

    ¶ And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

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