These two chapters deal with Amaziah, king of Judah who began to rule in the second year of Joash (Israel). He reigned a long time – 29 years – and did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, except for not destroying the pagan shrines and people offering sacrifices at them. He cleverly waited until he was firmly established asking before punishing those officials who had assassinated his father Joash (Judah) and apparently was familiar with the Law of Moses and did not destroy the children of the assassins.
(Isn’t it confusing when rules from both Israel and Judah have the same name, such as Joash (Judah) who was King of Judah following Athaliah and Joash (Israel) who ruled Israel following Jehoash (Israel)?)
He did make the mistake of attacking Jehoash (Israel) and his army and was defeated. In fact, Jehoash (Israel) tore down 600 feet of Jerusalem’s wall and carried off the treasures from the Temple and the royal palace.
Just as Joash (Judah) had been assassinated, so Amaziah (Judah) was also assassinated, leavimg his sixteen-year old son Uzziah to reign in Judah.
In Israel, Jeroboam II took over for his father Jehoash in the fifteenth year of Amaziah (Judah). He did evil in the Lord’s sight. We first discover the prophet Jonah, son of Amittai in the account of Jeroboam II (Israel).
Tomorrow, we’ll be reading the entire book of Jonah – only four chapters.
Until next time…
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