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2 Chronicles 25:17

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¶ Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

Then Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} took advice {H3289}, and sent {H7971} to Joash {H3101}, the son {H1121} of Jehoahaz {H3059}, the son {H1121} of Jehu {H3058}, king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Come {H3212}, let us see one another {H7200} in the face {H6440}.

Then, after taking counsel, Amatzyah king of Y'hudah sent a challenge to Yo'ash the son of Y'ho'achaz, the son of Yehu, king of Isra'el: "Come on, let's have it out face-to-face."

Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.

Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 25:17 records a pivotal moment in the reign of Amaziah, King of Judah, setting the stage for a significant conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel. Following his victory over Edom, Amaziah's pride and misplaced confidence led him to challenge Joash, King of Israel, to a direct confrontation.

Context

This verse immediately follows Amaziah's decisive, divinely-aided victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt (2 Chronicles 25:11-13). However, instead of attributing his success to God, Amaziah brought back the gods of Edom and began to worship them, engaging in a severe act of idolatry that angered the Lord. A prophet was sent to warn him, but Amaziah defiantly rejected the prophet's warning. His decision to challenge Joash of Israel was likely fueled by a combination of newfound arrogance, perhaps a desire to reclaim territory or avenge past grievances (such as the dismissal of Israelite mercenaries before the Edomite war, 2 Chronicles 25:9-10), and a divine judgment for his disobedience.

Key Themes

  • Pride and Presumption: Amaziah's success against Edom inflated his ego, leading him to believe he could conquer Israel as well, despite having just offended God. This exemplifies the biblical warning that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Rejection of Divine Counsel: Though Amaziah "took advice," it was human counsel that aligned with his pride, not the divine wisdom he had just spurned from the prophet. His actions demonstrate a pattern of choosing self-will over God's guidance.
  • Inter-Kingdom Hostility: The verse highlights the persistent tension and rivalry between the separated kingdoms of Judah and Israel. This challenge was a direct escalation of existing friction.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Amaziah's challenge to Joash, born out of his idolatry and defiance, would lead to a devastating defeat for Judah, the plundering of Jerusalem, and ultimately, Amaziah's own tragic end.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Come, let us see one another in the face" is an ancient idiom for a direct challenge to battle or confrontation. It signifies a desire for a decisive, face-to-face military engagement rather than negotiation or diplomacy. Amaziah's use of this phrase indicates his aggressive intent and confidence in his own strength, disregarding the spiritual warnings he had received.

Practical Application

This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride and the critical importance of humility, especially after periods of success. When we experience blessings or victories, it is crucial to remain humble and attribute success to God, rather than allowing it to inflate our ego or lead us into reckless decisions. Amaziah's story illustrates that rejecting God's counsel and embracing self-reliance, even after a divine blessing, can lead to severe and unforeseen consequences. It encourages believers to consistently seek wisdom from God's Word and godly counsel, and to guard against the subtle creep of arrogance in their lives.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 14:8 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

  • 2 Kings 14:14 (4 votes)

    And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.

  • Proverbs 20:3 (2 votes)

    ¶ [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:13 (2 votes)

    But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

  • 2 Samuel 2:14 (2 votes)

    And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.