2 Kings 14 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Kings 14 Short Summary:

2 Kings 14 briefly documents the reigns of Joash of Judah, Joash of Israel, Amaziah of Judah, and Jerobaom II of Israel. The nation of Judah was weakened significantly when Amaziah declared war on Israel and was defeated by Joash of Israel. Joash’s son, Jeroboam II, led the nation of Israel for more than 4 decades and reclaimed much of the land Israel had lost to enemies in previous years.

2 Kings 14 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• The reigns of Joash and Jeroboam II in Israel probably fit between the years of 845-770 B.C.

• Joash of Israel reigned for 16 years.

• Jeroboam II over Israel for 41 years.

CHARACTERS:

• Joash (Jehoash) of Judah – The King of Judah. He reigned for 40 years.

• Amaziah – King of Judah. He was the son of Joash of Judah.

• Jehoahaz – The son of Jehu who followed his father on the throne of Israel.

• Joash (Jehoash) of Israel – The King of Israel. He was the son of Jehoahaz and reigned 16 years.

• Jerobaom II – The son of Joash of Israel. He reigned as king of Israel for 41 years.

WHERE:

• Amaziah defeated the Edomites at the Valley of Salt and at Sela, south of the Dead Sea.

• Amaziah was killed in Lachish.

OUTLINE:

• AMAZIAH BECOMES KING IN JUDAH (14:1-7):

  • After Joash, king of Judah, was assassinated (12:20), his son Amaziah took his place.

  • He reigned over Judah 29 years.

  • He did “what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” but not to the same degree as David. He left the high places in Judah, where people offered sacrifices.

  • Amaziah executed the servants who had assassinated his father.

  • He defeated the Edomites in battle, killing 10,000.

• AMAZIAH CHALLENGES JOASH OF ISRAEL (14:8-14):

  • There were tensions between the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel.

  • Amaziah challenged Joash, the king of Israel, to a battle.

  • Joash laughed off the challenge, warning Amaziah his victory over Edom had given him a big head.

  • He compared himself to a cedar tree and Amaziah to a thistle bush.

  • But Amaziah refused to listen to the warning. He led his army to battle against Israel at Beth-shemesh.

  • Judah was defeated. Joash led his army to Jerusalem and tore down 400 cubits (600 feet) of the city wall, plundered the city, and took hostages.

• THE DEATH OF JOASH AND AMAZIAH (14:15-22):

  • Joash died and was buried in Samaria. Jeroboam II, his son, became king after him.

  • Amaziah lived 15 years after the death of Joash of Israel.

  • His servants conspired against him and assassinated him at Lachish.

• JEROBOAM II REIGNS IN ISRAEL (14:23-29):

  • Jeroboam II reigned 41 years in Israel. He “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”

  • God allowed Jeroboam to take back much of the land Israel had lost over the years.

  • He took control of the cities of Damascus and Hamath.

APPLICATION:

• God allowed Jeroboam II to reclaim some of the former glory of the kingdom of Israel even though all of Israel’s kings were wicked.

• Why would God allow a nation to increase in power when they’re wicked?

• That is a good question, and one that some of God’s prophets asked in the Old Testament.

• We aren’t given all the details about how God works in the nations, but we know He is using them to orchestrate His will.

• He has a plan, and we should trust that He knows what He is doing, because He does, the Old Testament history bear witness to it.

• One thing we can learn is that nations don’t always fall into immediate decline when the turn to wickedness. God may grant them power for a period of time, but we can be certain no evil nation will escape His judgement forever.