2 Kings 14:11

KJV

But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which [belongeth] to Judah.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Amaziah {H558} would not hear {H8085}. Therefore Jehoash {H3060} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} went up {H5927}; and he and Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} looked {H7200} one another in the face {H6440} at Bethshemesh {H1053}, which belongeth to Judah {H3063}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Amatzyah wouldn't listen. So Y'ho'ash king of Isra'el went up; and he and Amatzyah king of Y'hudah had it out face-to-face at Beit-Shemesh, which belongs to Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

But Amaziah would not listen, and Jehoash king of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh in Judah.

American Standard Version

But Amaziah would not hear. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 14:11 marks the tragic culmination of King Amaziah of Judah's escalating pride and stubborn refusal to heed wise counsel, directly leading to a devastating military confrontation with King Jehoash of Israel. Emboldened by a recent victory over Edom, Amaziah foolishly challenged Jehoash to battle. Despite Jehoash's clear parabolic warning against such arrogance, Amaziah's hardened heart compelled him to press forward, setting the stage for a fratricidal clash at Bethshemesh, a city within Judah's own territory. This verse encapsulates the critical moment where personal hubris overrides prudence, precipitating national disaster.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of King Amaziah's reign, which commences in [2 Kings 14:1](/2_kings/14 "2 Kings 14 - Amaziah Reigns in Judah"). The preceding verses establish Amaziah as a king who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father" ([2 Kings 14:3](/2_kings/14-3 "2 Kings 14:3 - Amaziah's Mixed Reign")). His early reign is marked by a significant military triumph over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, where he achieved a decisive victory, slaying ten thousand and capturing Sela ([2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory Over Edom")). This success, however, appears to have inflated his ego, leading him to send a provocative challenge to Jehoash, King of Israel: "Come, let us look one another in the face" ([2 Kings 14:8](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8 - Amaziah Challenges Jehoash")). Jehoash's response is a shrewd parable of a thistle challenging a cedar, warning Amaziah against his pride and advising him to "tarry at home" ([2 Kings 14:9-10](/2_kings/14-9-10 "2 Kings 14:9-10 - Jehoash's Parable and Warning")). Our verse, [2 Kings 14:11](/2_kings/14-11 "2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah's Stubbornness Leads to Battle"), directly follows this ignored warning, highlighting Amaziah's willful rejection of sound counsel and the immediate consequence: the two kings "looked one another in the face," signifying the initiation of a calamitous battle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the divided monarchy, following the split of Israel after Solomon's reign, was characterized by frequent political instability, religious apostasy, and intermittent warfare between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Despite their shared heritage as descendants of Jacob, their political and religious divergence often led to bitter conflicts. Amaziah's victory over Edom, a long-standing adversary and often a vassal state, would have been a substantial achievement, potentially restoring some of Judah's lost prestige and economic leverage. Culturally, formal military challenges between kings were a recognized means of settling disputes or asserting dominance, often serving as a test of national strength and divine favor. The idiom "look one another in the face" was a direct expression of a willingness to engage in personal and military confrontation. Bethshemesh (H1053, _Bêyth Shemesh_), meaning "House of the Sun," was a strategically important Levitical city located in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah, near the border with Israel. Its selection as the battleground for this conflict underscores the tragic internal nature of this fratricidal war, fought on Judah's own soil, far from the external enemies Amaziah had just defeated.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme emerging from [2 Kings 14:11](/2_kings/14-11 "2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah's Stubbornness Leads to Battle") is the **peril of pride and its destructive consequences**. Amaziah's inflated ego, fueled by his success against Edom, blinded him to reason and wise counsel, making him a vivid example of how [pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Another significant theme is the **rejection of wise counsel**. Jehoash's parable was a clear, albeit veiled, warning, but Amaziah's stubbornness prevented him from heeding it. This highlights the danger of self-sufficiency and the critical importance of listening to sound advice, even when it comes from an adversary, a principle echoed throughout the wisdom literature, such as in [Proverbs 12:15](/proverbs/12-15 "Proverbs 12:15 - The Way of a Fool"). Finally, the verse underscores the **inevitability of confrontation** when pride and obstinacy prevail, leading to a tragic and avoidable conflict between two brother nations, demonstrating the devastating impact of internal strife.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (H8085, _shâmaʻ'_) is profoundly significant in this context. While it literally means "to hear," its semantic range extends far beyond mere auditory perception to include "to listen attentively," "to understand," "to obey," and "to heed." In the phrase "But Amaziah would not hear," it conveys not a physical inability to perceive sound, but a deliberate and willful refusal to comprehend, accept, and act upon the wise counsel offered by Jehoash. It emphasizes Amaziah's stubborn disobedience and the hardening of his heart against prudence, which directly precipitates the ensuing conflict.
* **looked (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** The verb רָאָה (H7201, _râʼâh'_), translated as "looked," is a primitive root meaning "to see," "to perceive," or "to gaze." In conjunction with "face" (pânîym), it forms a powerful idiom. Here, it signifies a direct, intentional act of confrontation. It implies more than a casual glance; it is a deliberate sizing up of an opponent, an acknowledgment of the challenge, and a readiness to engage. This "looking" is the visual manifestation of the internal resolve to enter into battle.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** The noun פָּנִים (H6440, _pânîym'_), meaning "face," is typically plural but used singularly, and often refers to the presence or person of an individual. In the idiom "looked one another in the face" (literally "saw faces"), it denotes a direct, personal encounter, particularly in a hostile or challenging context. It signifies the acceptance of a challenge and the commitment to engage in combat. It's not a casual meeting but a deliberate act of squaring off, indicating that both parties were now prepared for the inevitable clash of arms, having exhausted or rejected other options.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Amaziah would not hear.":** This opening clause immediately establishes Amaziah's culpability and the central conflict. It directly refers back to Jehoash's warning in [2 Kings 14:9-10](/2_kings/14-9-10 "2 Kings 14:9-10 - Jehoash's Parable and Warning"), where the King of Israel advised Amaziah to "tarry at home" and not provoke disaster. Amaziah's refusal to "hear" signifies his willful rejection of this sound counsel, driven by an overinflated sense of pride and a desire for further glory following his victory over Edom. This stubbornness is the direct catalyst for the subsequent events, highlighting the destructive power of unheeded wisdom.
* **"Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up;":** This clause indicates Jehoash's decisive response to Amaziah's obstinacy. Having offered a warning that was spurned, Jehoash had no choice but to prepare for the inevitable conflict. The phrase "went up" (H5927, _ʻâlâh'_) implies a military advance, signifying that the confrontation was now unavoidable and the two armies were mobilizing for battle. It underscores the direct cause-and-effect relationship between Amaziah's pride and the ensuing war, demonstrating Jehoash's readiness to meet the challenge.
* **"and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face":** This phrase vividly portrays the direct, personal, and hostile confrontation between the two kings and their respective armies. It is the climactic moment where the challenge is met, and the war officially begins. It's a dramatic depiction of two powerful figures, representing their nations, standing on the precipice of battle, each resolved to engage. This "face-to-face" encounter is the point of no return, sealing the fate of both kingdoms in the immediate future and underscoring the gravity of Amaziah's decision.
* **"at Bethshemesh, which [belongeth] to Judah.":** This final detail specifies the precise location of the confrontation. Bethshemesh (H1053, _Bêyth Shemesh_), a city within Judah's own territory (H3063, _Yᵉhûwdâh_), serves as a poignant and tragic reminder that this was a civil war, a conflict between brother nations. The fact that the battle was fought on Judah's home ground emphasizes the self-destructive nature of Amaziah's pride, as his arrogance brought devastation directly to his own people and land, rather than to an external enemy, amplifying the irony and sorrow of the situation.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 14:11](/2_kings/14-11 "2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah's Stubbornness Leads to Battle") masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of pride's downfall. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured in Amaziah's initial refusal to "hear" Jehoash's warning; this stubbornness clearly predicts the disastrous outcome that inevitably follows. The very act of "looking one another in the face" functions as a potent form of **synecdoche** or **metonymy**, where the direct confrontation of the kings symbolically represents the full-scale military engagement that ensues, encapsulating the entire conflict in a single, dramatic image. There is a profound sense of **irony** in the fact that Amaziah, having just achieved a significant victory against an external foe (Edom), now brings war and defeat upon his own kingdom by foolishly challenging a brother nation. Furthermore, the precise geographical detail of Bethshemesh, a Levitical city and part of Judah's own territory, adds a layer of **pathos** and reinforces the **irony**, emphasizing the self-inflicted wound of this fratricidal conflict. The narrative's concise and direct language contributes to its dramatic impact, highlighting the swift and inevitable consequences of unchecked pride.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Amaziah's downfall, encapsulated in his willful refusal to "hear" in [2 Kings 14:11](/2_kings/14-11 "2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah's Stubbornness Leads to Battle"), serves as a profound theological lesson on the insidious nature of human pride and its devastating consequences. It vividly illustrates how success, when unmoored from humility and divine wisdom, can become a spiritual poison, leading to self-exaltation and a rejection of sound counsel, even from unexpected sources. Amaziah's actions stand in stark contrast to the biblical ideal of a leader who seeks God's guidance and listens to wise advisors. This narrative underscores the timeless biblical principle that true strength and stability are found not in human arrogance or military might alone, but in humility, discernment, and a willingness to submit to wisdom, whether human or divine. It highlights the destructive cycle of pride, rebellion, and judgment that frequently recurs throughout the historical books of the Old Testament, serving as a cautionary tale for all who would lead or live without humility.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Proverbs 13:10](/proverbs/13-10 "Proverbs 13:10 - Pride Leads to Strife")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of King Amaziah offers timeless and sobering lessons for believers today, serving as a powerful mirror for self-examination. His initial success against Edom, rather than fostering gratitude and humility before God, became the very fuel for his destructive pride. This warns us against allowing past achievements, spiritual victories, or even personal talents to inflate our ego and blind us to reality. We are often most vulnerable to pride precisely when things are going well, when we feel self-sufficient and capable. Amaziah's stubborn refusal to "hear" Jehoash's wise, albeit pointed, counsel highlights the critical importance of cultivating a humble and teachable spirit. Do we genuinely listen to constructive criticism, even when it comes from unexpected sources or challenges our preconceived notions? Are we open to the wisdom of trusted mentors, spiritual leaders, or even the quiet promptings of God's Spirit, or do we, like Amaziah, allow arrogance to deafen us to truth? The tragic outcome for Judah at Bethshemesh serves as a powerful reminder that ignoring sound advice, especially when driven by self-importance, can lead to significant and avoidable consequences, not just for ourselves but for those we influence and lead. True wisdom lies not in self-assertion, but in humility and a willingness to learn, even from perceived adversaries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most susceptible to pride, especially after success or achievement?**
* **Whose counsel do I tend to disregard, and why? How can I cultivate a more humble spirit open to correction and wisdom?**
* **How does this narrative challenge my understanding of true strength – is it found in self-assertion or in humility and reliance on God?**
* **What are the potential "Bethshemesh" moments in my life where unchecked pride could lead to avoidable conflict or negative outcomes for myself and others?**

### FAQ
**Why did Amaziah challenge Jehoash?**

Answer: Amaziah's challenge to Jehoash, as described in [2 Kings 14:8](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8 - Amaziah Challenges Jehoash"), was primarily a direct result of his inflated pride and overconfidence following his decisive victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt ([2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory Over Edom")). Feeling emboldened and perhaps invincible, he sought to assert Judah's dominance over the northern kingdom of Israel. This challenge may have been motivated by a desire to avenge past grievances, to reclaim territory, or simply to expand his own glory and influence. Jehoash's response, a parable of a thistle challenging a cedar ([2 Kings 14:9-10](/2_kings/14-9-10 "2 Kings 14:9-10 - Jehoash's Parable and Warning")), clearly indicates that he perceived Amaziah's challenge as an act of foolish arrogance rather than a legitimate cause for war, warning him of the inevitable downfall.

**What was the outcome of this confrontation at Bethshemesh?**

Answer: As a direct and tragic consequence of Amaziah's stubborn refusal to heed Jehoash's warning, the two armies indeed met at Bethshemesh. The outcome was disastrous for Judah. King Amaziah's forces were utterly defeated, and he himself was captured by Jehoash ([2 Kings 14:12](/2_kings/14-12 "2 Kings 14:12 - Amaziah Captured")). Following this decisive victory, Jehoash marched on Jerusalem, broke down a significant portion of its walls (specifically, four hundred cubits from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate), and plundered the temple treasury and the king's palace, taking hostages before returning to Samaria ([2 Kings 14:13-14](/2_kings/14-13-14 "2 Kings 14:13-14 - Judah's Defeat and Jerusalem's Plunder")). This profound humiliation severely weakened Judah and served as a stark demonstration of the destructive power of unchecked pride and unheeded counsel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Amaziah's pride and fall in [2 Kings 14:11](/2_kings/14-11 "2 Kings 14:11 - Amaziah's Stubbornness Leads to Battle") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between the destructive nature of human arrogance and the redemptive power of divine humility. Amaziah, an earthly king, allowed his fleeting success to breed pride, leading him to reject wise counsel and ultimately bring ruin upon his kingdom and people. In stark opposition, Jesus Christ, the eternal King of kings, perfectly embodies humility and absolute obedience to the Father's will. He did not cling to His divine prerogatives or assert His power for earthly glory, but rather "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility and Incarnation")). Unlike Amaziah, who "would not hear" and thus brought destruction, Christ consistently declared, "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me" ([John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Seeks the Father's Will")). His ultimate victory over sin and death was not achieved through earthly conquest or the assertion of power, but through the supreme act of self-sacrifice on the cross, where He humbled Himself even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Christ's life and ministry serve as the ultimate example of true strength found in profound humility, offering a path to eternal life and blessing for all who, unlike Amaziah, are willing to "take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" ([Matthew 11:29](/matthew/11-29 "Matthew 11:29 - Learn from Me, for I Am Gentle and Humble in Heart")).

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

Joshua 19:38

And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.

2 Chronicles 25:16

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

Joshua 21:16

And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, [and] Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.

1 Samuel 6:9

And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [then] he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that [it is] not his hand [that] smote us: it [was] a chance [that] happened to us.

1 Samuel 6:19

¶ And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten [many] of the people with a great slaughter.

2 Chronicles 25:20

But Amaziah would not hear; for it [came] of God, that he might deliver them into the hand [of their enemies], because they sought after the gods of Edom.

Joshua 15:10

And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which [is] Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah: