2 Kings 14:20

And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

And they brought {H5375} him on horses {H5483}: and he was buried {H6912} at Jerusalem {H3389} with his fathers {H1} in the city {H5892} of David {H1732}.

They brought his body back on horses, and he was buried in Yerushalayim with his ancestors in the City of David.

They carried him back on horses and buried him in Jerusalem with his fathers in the City of David.

And they brought him upon horses; and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

Commentary

Context

This verse concludes the account of King Amaziah of Judah's reign and death. Following a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, Amaziah fled to Lachish, where he was assassinated (as detailed in 2 Kings 14:19). The preceding chapters describe his initially righteous but ultimately flawed rule. He began well by punishing those who murdered his father, King Joash, but later turned from the Lord after defeating Edom, bringing their gods to Judah and worshipping them (2 Chronicles 25:14). His pride led him to challenge King Joash of Israel, resulting in a humiliating defeat for Judah and the plundering of Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Royal Burial: The phrase "brought him on horses" indicates the careful transport of his body, a mark of respect for a king, even one who died tragically. His burial "with his fathers in the city of David" signifies a proper royal interment. The City of David was the traditional burial place for many kings of Judah, affirming his legitimate, though troubled, place in the Davidic line.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: While not directly stated in this verse, Amaziah's assassination and the end of his reign are presented in the broader narrative as the culmination of his spiritual unfaithfulness and political misjudgments.
  • Continuity of Kingship: Despite the conspiracy and regicide, the orderly return and burial of the king's body underscore the enduring structure of the monarchy in Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The term "City of David" (Hebrew: Ir David) refers to the ancient stronghold of Zion, which King David captured and made his capital. Over time, it became the designated burial ground for many of Judah's kings, distinguishing them from common burials and even from kings who were denied burial there due to severe wickedness (e.g., King Jehoram in 2 Chronicles 21:20).

Reflection and Significance

This verse marks the somber end of Amaziah's reign, highlighting the solemnity of a king's death and burial even under dire circumstances. The return of his body to Jerusalem and his interment in the City of David underscores the importance of proper royal protocol and the enduring significance of Jerusalem as the heart of the kingdom of Judah. It serves as a reminder that even those in positions of power are subject to the consequences of their actions and the vagaries of human plotting, yet the historical record meticulously preserves their ultimate resting place.

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

  • 2 Kings 9:28

    And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:23

    So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 8:24

    And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:20

    So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

  • 1 Kings 2:10

    So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

  • 2 Kings 12:21

    For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:20

    Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
← Back