2 Kings 14:1

KJV

¶ In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the second {H8147} year {H8141} of Joash {H3101} son {H1121} of Jehoahaz {H3099} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} reigned {H4427} Amaziah {H558} the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This inaugural verse of 2 Kings 14 meticulously establishes the commencement of King Amaziah's reign over Judah, precisely dating his accession to the second regnal year of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. This chronological synchronism is a hallmark of the Deuteronomistic History, providing essential anchors for understanding the interwoven and often turbulent histories of the divided Northern and Southern Kingdoms, setting the stage for Amaziah's subsequent actions and the unfolding divine narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Joash (Jehoash) king of Israel, whose reign concludes in [2 Kings 13](/2_kings/13 "2 Kings 13 - The Reign of Joash of Israel"). It also follows the reign of Joash (Jehoash) king of Judah, Amaziah's father, whose assassination is detailed at the end of [2 Kings 12](/2_kings/12 "2 Kings 12 - The Reign of Joash of Judah"). The book of 2 Kings, part of the larger Deuteronomistic History (Joshua–Kings), consistently employs synchronistic dating to weave together the parallel narratives of the two kingdoms. This particular verse marks a transition, introducing a new king in Judah while simultaneously orienting his reign within the established timeline of his northern counterpart, a common literary device for maintaining chronological coherence across the fragmented monarchies. The detailed account of Amaziah's reign, including his military campaigns and eventual downfall, will occupy the remainder of [2 Kings 14](/2_kings/14 "2 Kings 14 - The Reign of Amaziah of Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the divided monarchy was characterized by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and intermittent conflict between Israel and Judah, as well as with surrounding nations. The presence of two kings named Joash (one in Israel, one in Judah) reigning in close proximity or concurrently often causes confusion for readers, but the biblical text carefully distinguishes them by their father's names and kingdom affiliations. This verse places Amaziah's ascension during a time when both kingdoms were recovering from various internal and external pressures. Judah had just experienced the assassination of King Joash, signaling internal strife within the royal court. Meanwhile, Israel under Joash was contending with Aramean incursions, as recounted in [2 Kings 13:3-7](/2_kings/13-3 "2 Kings 13:3-7 - Aramean Oppression of Israel"). The precise dating reflects the administrative practices of ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, where regnal years were meticulously recorded, often synchronized with those of neighboring states, to establish a reliable historical record.
* **Key Themes:** The verse underscores several overarching themes present throughout 2 Kings. Firstly, **Chronological Precision** is paramount, highlighting the biblical authors' commitment to historical accuracy and the grounding of theological truth in real-world events. This meticulous record-keeping, often involving synchronisms like the one found here, serves to validate the narrative's authenticity and demonstrate God's sovereign hand in history. Secondly, the verse reiterates the persistent reality of the **Divided Monarchy**, a consequence of the kingdom's schism following [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom"). Despite their separation, the destinies of Israel and Judah remain intertwined, with their kings' reigns often overlapping and influencing one another. Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Royal Succession**, specifically within the Davidic line in Judah. The continuity of the kingship from father to son, despite the regicide that ended Joash's reign, points to God's enduring covenant faithfulness to David, as promised in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David"), ensuring a perpetual dynasty through which the ultimate King would eventually emerge.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Amaziah (Hebrew, _ʼAmatsyāh_):** Meaning "Yahweh is mighty" or "Yahweh strengthens." This name carries significant theological weight, implying divine strength or empowerment. The narrative of Amaziah's reign, however, will demonstrate the ironic contrast between the meaning of his name and his ultimate reliance on human strength and his eventual spiritual failure, particularly in his later idolatry and pride, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 25:14-16](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14-16 - Amaziah's Idolatry").
* **Joash (Hebrew, _Yôʼāš_ or _Yəhôʼāš_):** A common name meaning "Yahweh has given" or "Yahweh has supported." The text carefully distinguishes between "Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel" and "Joash king of Judah" (Amaziah's father). This highlights the importance of full identification in biblical genealogies and historical records to prevent confusion, especially given the prevalence of similar names in both royal lines during this period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel":** This opening clause provides the crucial synchronistic dating. It anchors Amaziah's accession to the reign of the contemporary king of the Northern Kingdom, Joash (also called Jehoash), who was the son of Jehoahaz. This precise chronological marker is typical of the Deuteronomistic historian, allowing for the careful alignment of events in both Israel and Judah, despite their political and spiritual separation. The paragraph marker (¶) is a KJV formatting convention, indicating a new textual division.
* **"reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah":** This second clause introduces the new king of the Southern Kingdom. Amaziah succeeds his father, Joash (who was assassinated, as recorded in [2 Kings 12:20-21](/2_kings/12-20 "2 Kings 12:20-21 - The Assassination of Joash of Judah")). The emphasis on "son of Joash king of Judah" clearly distinguishes him from the Joash of Israel mentioned in the first clause, preventing ambiguity and reinforcing the distinct royal lineages. This statement formally marks the beginning of Amaziah's 29-year reign over Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Kings 14:1 is **Synchronism**, a common feature throughout the books of Kings. This involves precisely 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 meticulous chronological alignment serves not only as a historical device to provide a coherent timeline for the fragmented monarchies but also as a theological one, subtly affirming God's overarching control and 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 lineage of the monarchs, particularly the unbroken 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.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple chronological statement carries profound theological weight, underscoring God's meticulous involvement in 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 and dynastic shifts. The continuity of the Davidic line, despite the challenges, speaks to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. This historical grounding ensures that the spiritual lessons drawn from the narrative are rooted in tangible reality, affirming that God is Lord of history, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, even through the actions of imperfect human rulers.
* [1 Kings 15:1](/1_kings/15-1 "1 Kings 15:1 - Abijam's Reign Synchronized")
* [2 Kings 15:1](/2_kings/15-1 "2 Kings 15:1 - Azariah's Reign Synchronized")
* [2 Chronicles 25:1](/2_chronicles/25-1 "2 Chronicles 25:1 - Amaziah's Reign in Chronicles")

### 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, He remains actively involved in the affairs of the world today. This should inspire both humility and confidence: humility, recognizing that our plans and timelines are subordinate to His; and confidence, knowing that a sovereign God is working all things together for His glory and the good of those who love Him. It encourages us to look beyond the surface of daily events, seeking to discern God's hand at work, trusting that even in seasons of political turmoil or personal transition, His purposes will prevail. Our call is to live faithfully within the time and context He has appointed for us, contributing to His kingdom work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's emphasis on precise historical and chronological details strengthen your faith in its truthfulness and divine inspiration?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God's sovereignty over historical events, like the succession of kings, impact your perspective on current global or national leadership?**
* **How can the meticulous nature of this verse encourage us to be more diligent and attentive to the "details" of our own lives and spiritual disciplines, knowing God cares about every aspect?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible meticulously synchronize the reigns of kings from Israel and Judah?**

Answer: The meticulous synchronization, as seen in [2 Kings 14:1](/2_kings/14-1 "2 Kings 14:1 - Amaziah's Accession"), serves several crucial purposes. Historically, it provides a precise chronological framework for understanding the parallel and often intertwined narratives of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) after the division of the monarchy. This allows the reader to place events in both nations within a coherent timeline. Theologically, it underscores the unity of God's people, even in their 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 credibility to the biblical narrative, grounding its spiritual truths in verifiable historical reality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 14:1 appears as a simple historical marker, its significance for Christ-centered fulfillment lies in its contribution to the unbroken chain of the Davidic dynasty. Amaziah, as "the son of Joash king of Judah," stands in the direct lineage of King David, a lineage through which God promised an eternal kingdom and a perpetual throne ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). This verse, therefore, is a subtle yet vital link in the genealogical record that ultimately culminates in Jesus Christ. Every successive king in Judah, despite their personal failings or the political turmoil of their reigns, served as a placeholder in God's unfolding redemptive plan, preserving the royal line from which the Messiah would come. Jesus, the true Son of David ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus")), is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, the King whose reign is truly eternal and whose kingdom will never end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Reign of Jesus")). Thus, this seemingly dry historical detail points to the faithfulness of God in preserving the lineage through which the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), would ultimately appear, establishing a kingdom far greater and more enduring than any earthly monarchy.

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 13:10

¶ In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] sixteen years.

2 Chronicles 25:1

¶ Amaziah [was] twenty and five years old [when] he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 25:4

But he slew not their children, but [did] as [it is] written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.

1 Chronicles 3:12

Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,

2 Kings 14:15

¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?