2 Kings 14:2

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.

He was twenty {H6242} and five {H2568} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and reigned {H4427} twenty {H6242} and nine {H8672} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}. And his mother's {H517} name {H8034} was Jehoaddan {H3086} of Jerusalem {H3389}.

He was twenty-five years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for twenty-nine years in Yerushalayim. His mother's name was Y'ho'adan, from Yerushalayim.

He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem.

He 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 Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 14:2

This verse introduces King Amaziah, the son and successor of King Joash, as the ninth king of Judah. Following the assassination of his father, Joash, Amaziah ascended to the throne in Jerusalem. The book of 2 Kings meticulously records the reigns of both the kings of Israel and Judah, often beginning with essential biographical data like age at ascension, duration of reign, and the queen mother's identity for Judahite kings. This particular verse provides the foundational details for understanding Amaziah's subsequent actions and the trajectory of his leadership in the southern kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Regnal Formula: This verse perfectly illustrates the standard "regnal formula" used by the biblical authors to introduce kings. It provides key data points—age, reign length, and mother's name—which were vital for historical record-keeping and establishing legitimacy. This pattern is consistently observed for Judahite kings, often preceding a moral assessment of their reign, as seen in the very next verse regarding Amaziah.
  • Succession and Lineage: The continuity of the Davidic line in Judah is emphasized through these introductions. Despite internal strife and political assassinations (like Joash's), the throne remained within the established royal family, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant with David.
  • The Role of Jerusalem: The consistent mention of "Jerusalem" as the capital underscores its central importance not only as a political hub but also as the spiritual heart of the kingdom of Judah, the site of the Temple.
  • Maternal Identity: The consistent inclusion of the mother's name (Jehoaddan of Jerusalem) for Judahite kings is a unique feature compared to the kings of Israel. While not explicitly detailed in this verse, this detail often points to the queen mother's significant status, influence, or role within the royal court, as also seen in the introduction of Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text of this verse is straightforward, presenting factual historical data without complex linguistic nuances. The phrasing "He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign" is a common construction in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, indicating the precise moment of a king's ascension. The name "Jehoaddan" (יְהוֹעַדָּן, Yeho'addan) is a theophoric name, meaning "The LORD has adorned" or "The LORD is delight." Such names often reflected the hopes or faith of the parents, though little else is known about Jehoaddan beyond her name and origin in Jerusalem.

Significance and Application

While seemingly a simple historical record, 2 Kings 14:2 reminds us of God's meticulous attention to detail in the unfolding of history. It highlights the divine oversight of human leadership and the progression of His redemptive plan through the Davidic dynasty. For us today, it underscores the importance of a leader's foundational years, their background, and the duration of their influence. Every person's life, especially those in positions of authority, begins with a set of circumstances that shape their journey, and these beginnings are carefully observed, both by human record-keepers and by God Himself. This verse sets the stage for Amaziah's complex reign, which is further explored in the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 25:1-28.

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

No cross-references found.

← Back