2 Kings 14 1
Explore the 2 Kings 14:1 meaning and summary with context and commentary explained. This study includes verse insights, deep explanation, word analysis, and cross-references.
2 Kings chapter 14 - Amaziah’s Pride And The Thistle
2 Kings 14 documents Amaziah’s victory over Edom followed by his disastrous challenge to Israel, which resulted in the wall of Jerusalem being torn down. It also briefly records the long, prosperous reign of Jeroboam II, who expanded Israel's borders despite his spiritual indifference.
2 Kings 14:1
ESV: In the second year of Joash the son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign.
KJV: In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
NIV: In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.
NKJV: In the second year of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, became king.
NLT: Amaziah son of Joash began to rule over Judah in the second year of the reign of King Jehoash of Israel.
Meaning
This verse establishes the synchronistic start of Amaziah's reign as king of Judah in relation to the ongoing reign of Joash (Jehoash) king of Israel. It serves as a precise chronological marker, indicating that Amaziah ascended to the throne of the southern kingdom while Joash was in his second regnal year as the king of the northern kingdom. This detail is crucial for the overall historical framework presented in the books of Kings.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 14:2 | He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years... | Amaziah's age and reign length. |
| 2 Chr 25:1 | Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years... | Parallel account of Amaziah's reign. |
| 2 Kgs 13:10 | In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria... | Start of Joash of Israel's reign. |
| 2 Kgs 14:3 | And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not like David his father; he did according to all that Joash his father had done. | Amaziah's initial character. |
| 2 Kgs 12:21 | Then they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Amaziah his son reigned in his place. | Amaziah's succession after his father. |
| 2 Kgs 13:9 | So Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son reigned in his place. | Joash of Israel's succession. |
| 2 Kgs 14:8 | Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face." | Foreshadows conflict between these kings. |
| 2 Chr 24:25 | ...and Amaziah his son reigned in his place. | Repeats Amaziah's accession in Chronicles. |
| 2 Kgs 15:1 | In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. | Another example of synchronistic dating. |
| 1 Kgs 14:20 | ...and Nadab his son reigned in his place. | Example of a king's succession. |
| 1 Kgs 15:1 | Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. | Example of synchronistic reign initiation. |
| Prov 16:12 | It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness. | Reminder of righteous kingship principles. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. | God's role in establishing rulers. |
| Jer 22:30 | Thus says the LORD: "Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not prosper in his days; for no man of his descendants shall prosper, sitting on the throne of David, and ruling again in Judah." | The significance of the Davidic throne. |
| Psa 2:2 | The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed. | Divine perspective on earthly kingship. |
| 2 Sam 5:4 | David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. | Reference to the great King David's reign. |
| 1 Chr 29:26 | Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. | The established monarchy of Israel. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. | God's sovereignty over kings and kingdoms. |
| Job 12:18 | He loosens the bonds of kings and binds their waists with a sash. | God's power over rulers. |
| Hos 3:4 | For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince... | The future prophetic absence of kingship. |
| Isa 7:1 | Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah... | Another example of monarchical chronology. |
| Eze 29:18 | ...every head was bald, and every shoulder rubbed bare... | Kings facing struggles/burdens of rule. |
Context
This verse is the beginning of 2 Kings Chapter 14, marking a new phase in the history of the southern kingdom of Judah. It specifically states the moment Amaziah's reign commenced. Historically, this places Amaziah after the turbulent reign and assassination of his father, Joash (Jehoash) of Judah, as described at the end of Chapter 12. For Israel, the northern kingdom, this period under Joash (Jehoash) son of Joahaz marks a partial resurgence against Aramean oppression, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy of three victories (2 Kgs 13:14-19, 25). The verse serves as a crucial chronological anchor point in the biblical narrative, interlocking the separate timelines of Judah and Israel. It precedes Amaziah's actions to consolidate power and his military ventures, including the ill-fated conflict with Joash of Israel later in the chapter.
Word analysis
- In the second year: This phrase highlights the "synchronistic" dating method used throughout Kings. It provides a specific chronological tie-point between the reigns of the northern and southern kingdoms, aiding the comprehensive historical account. This precision reflects the diligent record-keeping of the biblical chronicler.
- of Joash son of Joahaz: Refers to Jehoash, king of Israel. The inclusion of the patronymic ("son of Joahaz") is vital to distinguish him from the Joash (Jehoash) of Judah who was Amaziah's father. This Joash of Israel inherited a weak kingdom but began to turn the tide against the Arameans. (Hebrew: יְהוֹאָשׁ בֶּן יְהוֹאָחָז - Yeho'ash ben Yeho'achaz).
- king of Israel,: Designates the ruler of the Northern Kingdom, confirming his political dominion and contrasting it with Judah.
- Amaziah son of Joash: This refers to Amaziah, king of Judah. The mention of his father, Joash of Judah (Jehoash), grounds his legitimacy through his royal lineage within the Davidic line. (Hebrew: אֲמַצְיָהוּ בֶּן יוֹאָשׁ - Amatzyahu ben Yo'ash).
- king of Judah: Designates the ruler of the Southern Kingdom, highlighting the divided monarchy and its distinct identity and capital (Jerusalem).
- began to reign: (Hebrew: הֵחֵל לִמְלֹךְ - hechel limlokh, 'he began to reign'). This standard accession formula signifies the formal commencement of a new monarch's rule. It implies the passing of power, often due to the death of the previous king, and the legal transfer of authority. It is the definitive marker for starting a new regnal period in biblical chronology.
Commentary
This initial verse of 2 Kings 14 is succinct yet critically informative. It precisely dates the commencement of Amaziah's reign in Judah by cross-referencing it with the ongoing rule of Joash (Jehoash) in Israel. This meticulous synchronism is a hallmark of the historical books of Kings, testifying to the compiler's intent to present a coherent chronological account of both kingdoms after the division. The emphasis on each king's lineage ("son of Joahaz," "son of Joash") ensures clarity and establishes the succession within the respective royal houses. The phrase "began to reign" marks the official transfer of royal authority and the starting point for evaluating Amaziah's leadership, setting the stage for his subsequent actions, challenges, and ultimate fate as detailed later in the chapter. The divine hand in the flow of history and succession is implicitly present through such meticulous record-keeping.
Bonus section
The precise synchronistic dating used in this verse, common throughout the books of Kings, is a unique feature of biblical historiography. It reflects a sophisticated system, sometimes indicating co-regencies or differing methods of year-counting (accession year vs. non-accession year dating). Scholars such as Edwin Thiele have extensively studied these chronological markers, demonstrating their remarkable consistency and providing significant insight into the historicity of the biblical accounts. The careful differentiation between the two kings named Joash (one of Judah, one of Israel), consistently identified by their fathers, underscores the attention to detail required to trace the histories of the often-intertwined and sometimes warring sister kingdoms.
Read 2 kings 14 chapter and explore various translations, from word-for-word KJV and ESV to thought-for-thought NIV and NLT.
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