TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
Complete Jewish Bible
It was in the second year of Yo'ash son of Y'ho'achaz king of Isra'el that Amatzyah the son of Yo'ash king of Y'hudah began his reign.
Berean Standard Bible
In the second year of the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz over Israel, Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah.
American Standard Version
In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign.
World English Bible Messianic
In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The second yeere of Ioash sonne of Iehoahaz King of Israel reigned Amaziah the sonne of Ioash King of Iudah.
Young's Literal Translation
In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned hath Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah;
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In the KJVVerse 9,898 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Kings 14 verses 1–7
1 ¶ In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
6 But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
7 He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
Amaziah, the son and successor of Joash, is the king whom here we have an account of. Let us take a view of him,
I. In the temple; and there he acted, in some measure, well, like Joash, but not like David, Kg2 14:3. He began well, but did not persevere: He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, kept up his attendance on God's altars and his attention to God's word, yet not like David. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the usage, but we must do it as they did it, from the same principle of faith and devotion and with the same sincerity and resolution. It is here taken notice of, as before, that the high places were not taken away, Kg2 14:4. It is hard to get clear of those corruptions which, by long usage, have gained both prescription and a favourable opinion.
II. On the bench; and there we have him doing justice on the traitors that murdered his father, not as soon as ever he came to the crown, lest it should occasion some disturbance, but he prudently deferred it till the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, Kg2 14:5. To weaken a factious party gradually, when it is not safe to provoke, often proves the way to ruin it effectually. Justice strikes surely by striking slowly, and is often executed most prudently when it is not executed presently. Wisdom here is profitable to direct. Amaziah did thus, 1. According to the rule of the law, that ancient rule, that he that sheds man's blood by man shall his blood be shed. Never let traitors or murderers expect to come to their graves like other men. Let them flee to the pit, and let no man stay them. 2. Under the limitation of the law: The children of the murderers he slew not, because the law of Moses had expressly provided that the children should not be put to death for the fathers, Kg2 14:6. It is probable that this is taken notice of because there were those about him that advised him to that rigour, both in revenge (because the crime was extraordinary - the murder of a king) and in policy, that the children might not plot against him, in revenge of their father's death. But against these insinuations he opposed the express law of God (Deu 24:16), which he was to judge by, and which he resolved to adhere to and trust God with the issue. God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, because every man is guilty before him and owes him a death; so that, if he require the life for the father's sin, he does not wrong, the sinner having forfeited it already by his own. But he does not allow earthly princes to do thus: the children, before them, are innocent, and therefore must not suffer as guilty.
III. In the field; and there we find him triumphing over the Edomites, Kg2 14:7. Edom had revolted from under the hand of Judah in Joram's time, Kg2 8:22. Now he makes war upon them to bring them back to their allegiance, kills 10,000 and takes the chief city of Arabia the stony (called Selah - a rock), and gave it a new name. We shall find a larger account of this expedition, Ch2 25:5, etc.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Ephrem the SyrianAD 373
ON THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS 16:1
“In the second year of King Joash son of Ahaziah of Israel, King Amaziah son of Joash of Judah began to reign,” who avenged the death of his father, but with moderation, so that he spared the life of the relatives of the conspirators according to the prescriptions of the Law and was careful that the punishment might not be too excessive for the authors of the crime. Therefore Amaziah was pious, as long as he had before his eyes his father’s unhappy end, whose cause he could not ignore: offense against the true religion [of God]. However, when his reign began to be very prosperous, [Amaziah] rejected his fear of God which he had conceived after witnessing his father’s punishment, and embraced foreign cults. In the second book of the Annals, the Scripture relating his victory against the Edomites confirms that this was the reason of his apostasy: “But Amaziah took courage, and led out his people, and went to the Valley of Salt and smote ten thousand men of Seir. The men of Judah captured another ten thousand alive and took them to the top of a rock, and all were enchained.” And the text adds, “After Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of the men of Seir, and set them up as his gods and worshiped them, making offerings to them.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
This opening verse of 2 Kings 14 precisely chronicles the commencement of King Amaziah's reign over Judah, dating his ascension to the second regnal year of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. This meticulous chronological synchronism, a hallmark of the Deuteronomistic History, serves as a vital historical anchor, weaving together the parallel and often turbulent narratives of the divided Northern and Southern Kingdoms, thereby setting the stage for Amaziah's subsequent actions and the unfolding divine narrative of God's sovereign governance over human affairs.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Kings 14:1 is Synchronism, a pervasive feature throughout the books of Kings. This involves meticulously dating the reign of a king in one kingdom by referencing the regnal year of a contemporary king in the other kingdom (e.g., "In the second year of Joash... reigned Amaziah"). This precise chronological alignment functions not merely as a historical device to provide a coherent timeline for the fragmented monarchies but also as a profound theological one, subtly affirming God's overarching control and intimate knowledge of all historical events, even amidst the complex and often chaotic human affairs of the divided kingdoms. Additionally, the verse employs Genealogy by explicitly naming the father of each king ("son of Jehoahaz," "son of Joash"), which is crucial for distinguishing individuals with common names and for establishing the legitimacy and unbroken lineage of the monarchs, particularly the enduring Davidic line in Judah. The concise and factual presentation also reflects a form of Historical Reportage, characteristic of the Deuteronomistic historian's style, which aims to present a reliable and authoritative account of Israel's past, grounded in verifiable details.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple chronological statement carries profound theological weight, underscoring God's meticulous involvement in the unfolding tapestry of human history. The precise dating and careful distinction between the two Joashes demonstrate that God's redemptive plan unfolds not in abstract theological concepts, but within the concrete, verifiable events of real people and nations. It highlights divine sovereignty over the rise and fall of kings, even amidst political assassinations, dynastic shifts, and the complexities of a divided kingdom. The continuity of the Davidic line, despite numerous challenges and the unfaithfulness of many rulers, powerfully speaks to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness to David. This historical grounding ensures that the spiritual lessons drawn from the narrative are rooted in tangible reality, affirming that God is indeed the Lord of history, orchestrating events to fulfill His eternal purposes, even through the actions of imperfect human rulers.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 14:1, while appearing as a mere historical record, invites us to consider the profound implications of God's sovereignty over time and human leadership. It reminds us that our lives, our nations, and our historical moments are not random occurrences but are held within the meticulous framework of God's providential plan. Just as God orchestrated the succession of kings in ancient Israel and Judah, meticulously recording their reigns and their interconnectedness, He remains actively involved in the affairs of the world today. This should inspire both humility and profound confidence: humility, recognizing that our plans and timelines are ultimately subordinate to His divine will; and confidence, knowing that a sovereign God is working all things together for His glory and the ultimate good of those who love Him. It encourages us to look beyond the superficiality of daily events, seeking to discern God's hand at work, trusting that even in seasons of political turmoil, societal upheaval, or personal transition, His eternal purposes will ultimately prevail. Our call, then, is to live faithfully within the specific time and context He has appointed for us, diligently contributing to His kingdom work with a deep awareness of His reigning presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible meticulously synchronize the reigns of kings from Israel and Judah?
Answer: The meticulous synchronization, as vividly seen in 2 Kings 14:1, serves several crucial purposes within the biblical narrative. Historically, it provides an indispensable chronological framework for understanding the parallel and often intertwined narratives of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) following the division of the monarchy. This allows the reader to accurately place events in both nations within a coherent and verifiable timeline. Theologically, it profoundly underscores the underlying unity of God's people, even in their politically divided state, and highlights God's overarching sovereignty. It demonstrates that God is actively involved in the history of both kingdoms, orchestrating events and raising up or bringing down rulers according to His divine plan, even when their human choices lead to chaos or conflict. This detailed record-keeping also lends significant credibility to the biblical narrative, grounding its profound spiritual truths in verifiable historical reality and demonstrating God's meticulous oversight of human history.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 14:1 appears as a simple historical marker, its profound significance for Christ-centered fulfillment lies in its contribution to the unbroken, divinely preserved chain of the Davidic dynasty. Amaziah, as "the son of Joash king of Judah," stands in the direct, promised lineage of King David, a lineage through which God solemnly covenanted an eternal kingdom and a perpetual throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This verse, therefore, is a subtle yet vital link in the extensive genealogical record that ultimately culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Every successive king in Judah, despite their personal failings, periods of apostasy, or the political turmoil of their reigns, served as a divinely appointed placeholder in God's unfolding redemptive plan, meticulously preserving the royal line from which the Messiah would ultimately come. Jesus, the true Son of David (Matthew 1:1), is the ultimate and perfect fulfillment of this ancient promise, the King whose reign is truly eternal and whose kingdom will never end (Luke 1:32-33). Thus, this seemingly dry historical detail points powerfully to the unwavering faithfulness of God in preserving the lineage through which the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), would ultimately appear, establishing a kingdom far greater and more enduring than any earthly monarchy.