2 Kings 14:3

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.

And he did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, yet {H7535} not like David {H1732} his father {H1}: he did {H6213} according to all things as Joash {H3101} his father {H1} did {H6213}.

He did what was right from ADONAI's perspective, although not like David his ancestor; he lived the same way as his father Yo'ash.

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. He did everything as his father Joash had done.

And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, yet not like David his father: he did according to all that Joash his father had done.

Commentary

2 Kings 14:3 offers a concise yet profound evaluation of King Amaziah of Judah's reign, highlighting both his positive actions and significant shortcomings in the eyes of the LORD. This verse sets the stage for understanding the complexities of his rule and the spiritual state of Judah during his time.

Context of Amaziah's Reign

This verse introduces Amaziah, the son of Joash, who became king of Judah at the age of twenty-five after his father's assassination (2 Kings 12:21). His reign, like many of the kings of Judah, is assessed by its adherence to the covenant with God. While he is initially credited with doing "that which was right in the sight of the LORD," the immediate qualifications reveal the nuanced and often compromised nature of his obedience, a common theme in the narratives of the divided kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Partial Obedience vs. Wholehearted Devotion: The primary message of this verse lies in the critical distinction between doing "right in the sight of the LORD" and doing so "like David his father." While Amaziah avoided the overt idolatry or wickedness of some kings, his righteousness was incomplete. This highlights that God desires not just outward conformity, but a wholehearted commitment and passionate devotion, a standard King David generally exemplified.
  • The Enduring Standard of David: King David served as the ultimate benchmark for righteous kingship in Judah. His rule, despite personal failings, was characterized by a deep devotion to God and a commitment to His laws (1 Kings 15:5). The phrase "not like David his father" indicates that Amaziah lacked this profound, unwavering spiritual integrity, foreshadowing the spiritual compromises that would mark his reign.
  • The Influence of Parental Legacy: The comparison to "Joash his father" is also highly significant. King Joash began his reign well, guided by the priest Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:2), but after Jehoiada's death, he turned away from God and allowed the people to worship idols (2 Chronicles 24:17-19). This parallel suggests that Amaziah's faith, like his father's, might have been conditional or superficial, dependent on external influences rather than an internal, unwavering commitment to God. This is immediately evident in the subsequent verse, 2 Kings 14:4, which states that "the high places were not removed."

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "right in the sight of the LORD" (Hebrew: Χ‘Φ°ΦΌΧ’Φ΅Χ™Χ Φ΅Χ™ Χ™Φ°Χ”Χ•ΦΈΦ‘Χ”, b’eyney Yahweh) is a common evaluative statement in the books of Kings and Chronicles. It signifies divine approval of a king's actions. However, in Amaziah's case, the subsequent qualifications ("yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did") limit this approval, indicating that while his actions were generally within the bounds of what was acceptable, they lacked the complete devotion and wholeheartedness that God truly desires from His people.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless lesson for believers today: God seeks not merely outward religious observance or partial obedience, but a heart fully devoted to Him. It challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith and commitment. Are we striving for the wholehearted devotion of King David, or are we content with a superficial righteousness that, like Amaziah's, falls short? The spiritual legacy we inherit or create for others also matters; we are called to learn from the mistakes of the past and pursue an authentic, unwavering relationship with God.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 25:2

    And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:3

    Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:2

    And Joash did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

  • 1 Kings 11:4

    For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.

  • Jeremiah 16:19

    O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and [things] wherein [there is] no profit.

  • 2 Kings 12:2

    And Jehoash did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

  • Zechariah 1:4

    Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
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