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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
1A0II CHRONICLES CHAPTER 25
Welcome to the the beginning years of eigtht century B.C., the year is 743B.C., and we find the Nation of the House of Israel divided into two separate Nations: The House of Israel consisting of ten Tribes—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and Manasseh—occupying the Northern territories; and the House of Judah which comprises two Tribes—Judah and Benjamin—and occupying the southern territories. At present, the House of Israel has as it’s king, king Joash, and the House of Judah has as it’s king, king Amaziah. As we are reading in the The Books of the Chronicles, we are reading things in the Esoteric, meaning, we are reading things from Father’s point of view or perspective, or in other words, events viewed from the Divine standpoint, and as seen and understood by the spiritual mind, to take that further, you could say, from the moral aspect, and you could go even further and say, for those with the “eyes to see.” The reason Father split the Nation into two separate Nations was because of the actions of Israel’s third man-king, David’s son, Solomon—as can be read in I Kings 11:1-11—taking unto himself many foreign wives, served their false gods and idols, built altars for those false gods and idols on Father’s Holy mountain, turned his back on Father, which angered Father and caused Father to tell him that He was splitting the Nation into two separate Nations, but not until Solomon returned Home to Him and his son Rehoboam took over the reign and rule of the Nation.
II Chronicles 24 opened with seven year old Joash taking over the Nation—for those of you who are not familiar with this, or are not versed in Father’s Word, you heard that correctly; a 7 year old boy is king of the Nation of the House of Judah, why? because all the other seed-royal, i.e., those who had a rightful claim to the throne had been murdered—he was being guided, led and mentored by Jehoiada the High Priest, who was also his uncle by marriage—Jehoiada’s wife Jehoshabeath, was the sister to Joash’s father Ahaziah, both were the children of Jehoram and Athaliah. As he was being guided, led and mentored by Jehoiada, the beginning of his reign and rule started off on the right-foot, meaning, “he did that which was right in the eyes of Father YHVH.” What was it which he did which Father was pleased with? First and fore-most he obeyed and followed Father’s Commandments, Judgments, Laws, Ordinances and Statutes; he also rebuilt Father’s House which needed much repair after Jehoram and Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel had stolen all the Dedicated Things out of It to put in the house of baal, they then destroyed many of the furnishings inside, and then they boarded the doors shut so that nobody could go inside and Worship Father YHVH; Joash also led the People of the House of Judah back to Father; again, this was all pleasing to Father. However, sadly, when Jehoiada died and returned Home to Father, Joash turned from Father and began listening to man. He allowed the People to talk him into re-instituting grove and asherah worship, in other words, he allowed the People to bring back the practice of spring sexual orgy worship, which we still have today when the Christians celebrate their “easter” celebrations. No, the Christians no longer hold their sexual orgies; but, they are still honoring the same false god: ishtar. Father had sent several Prophets to them, we don’t know how many as II Chronicles 24:19 states: “Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.,” so He next sent Jehoiada’s son Zechariah, which they murdered. Father then sent the Syrians against them and the Syrians spoiled them and carried away many of the princes. The Chapter closed with the People conspiring against Joash and then murdering him. They then set his son Amaziah on the throne; which is where this Chapter begins.
With that introduction being said, let’s go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: “ Father, I come to You right now and ask that You Oh LORD Lead me and Guide me as I try and teach Your Word, don’t allow me to mis-teach or mis-lead Your Children. We, Father, also come to You as a group who desire to Learn Your Word, to thank You for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to partake of and receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, as we prepare to dine on the sustenance which sustains our inner man, we ask that You Oh LORD open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds and prepare us in order that we may receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your Understanding of Your Word, we seek Your Knowledge in Your Word, and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus’ Precious name we Pray, thank You Father, Amen.”
I Chronicles 10:1-II Chronicles 36:21
HISTORY (UP TO THE CAPTIVITY.)
(Division.)
11:1-II Chronicles 36:21 THE HOUSE
of DAVID. ESTABLISHED. (Division.)
25:1-28 AMAZIAH. (Introversion and
Alternation.)
25:1 Introduction.
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II Chronicles 25:1 Amaziah (strength of YAH; or, the strength of YHVH) (am-ats-yawי-hoo) was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem (founded peaceful; or, the habitation of peace) (Yer-oo-shaw-lahי-im). And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan (YHVH-pleased; or, whom YHVH adorns) (yeh-ho-ad-dawnי) of Jerusalem. —> Amaziah began his 29 year reign and rule over the Nation of the House of Judah in the year 743B.C., he was 25 years old and he reigned until his death at the age of 54 years old, in the year 714B.C.; he was the eighth king to rule over the Nation. His mother’s—Joash’s wife—name was Jehoaddan, which when translated—click here—rather than transliterated—click here—means: whom YAH adorns.
This Chapter is complimentary to and runs parallel with II Kings 14; here in II Chronicles 25 though, we’ll find verses v25:5-10 and 25:13-16 are additional.
Amaziah=For a detailed description of Amaziah, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Jerusalem=For a detailed description of Jerusalem, including the City’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Jehoaddan
Jehoaddan=Jehoaddan was the wife of Joash, king of the Nation of the House of Judah—782-743B.C.—and the mother of Amaziah, the eighth king of the Nation of the House of Judah—743-714B.C.. She is only mentioned twice in Father’s Word, and both times, only as being Amaziah’s mother, and that she was from Jerusalem—II Kings 14:2 and II Chronicles 25:1—other than this, we know nothing of the woman. We don’t know what Tribe she was from, nor how long she lived. † For the etymology of the name Jehoaddan, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Jehoaddin consists of two elements. The first part is יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH, or Yahveh. The second part of the name Jehoaddan comes from the verb עדן ss(יadan), meaning to make luxurious: For a meaning of the name Jehoaddan, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Delights. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names has Lord Of Pleasure.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3086, - יְהוֹעַדִּין, ssיְהוֹעַדָּן, - yehô‛addı̂yn, or yehô‛addân, pronounced - yeh-ho-ad-deenי or yeh-ho-ad-dawnי, and means: From H3068 and H5727; YHVH-pleased; Jehoaddin or Jehoaddan, an Israelitess: - Jehoaddan. Total KJV occurrences: 2.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Whom YHVH adorns. Queen to King Joash, and mother of Amaziah of Judah, II Kings 14:2; II Chronicles 25:1.”.
25:2 Introduction.
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II Chronicles 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. —> II Kings 14:3 says it just a little bit better, so let’s read it from there: II 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. —> Now, David obviously was not Amaziah’s father, he was his great, great, great, great, great, great, great grand-father. But what these verses tell us, is that though Amaziah did righteously in Father’s eyes, he still fell short. Where did he fall short? For our answer to that question we again have to turn to II Kings 14, where we read: II Kings 14:4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the People did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. —> Amaziah still allowed the People to continue their illegal worship services.
Brethren, I want you to grasp the severity of this; as, this continues to this day here in this country. We have “houses of worship” all over this Country; however, in 99% of them, they too—very sadly, and pretty much unbeknownst to the congregants—partake of illegal worship and Father doesn’t like it. What do I mean? They teach and partake of things like Traditions of man; denominational doctrines and dogma; and\or false teachings; to wit: things like celebrating easter instead of Father’s mandated Passover—for the link to my Study on this, click here—speaking in babylonian tongues; man cannot and will not again speak in the True Penecostal Tongue until Father puts His Words in His Elect’s mouths when satan is here on earth in his role of pretend-to-be-jesus, otherwise known as antichrist is here pretending to be Christ at the end of this Age; “fly away” doctrines like “the rapture”—for the link to my Study on this, click here. If you’ve actually Studied Father’s Word, then you know that the True Christ only returns for His Second Advent—two (2), not three (third)—after satan is revealed for who he is in his role of pretend-to-be, and our LORD’S 1,000 year Reign will take place right here on His Earth; so, nobody is flying away anywhere.
The L ORD=This Title of Father as used here in this verse, is Father in His Role of יְהֹוָה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”.
25:3-24 Events. Political.
25:3-24 EVENTS. POLITICAL.
(Division.)
25:3 Domestic.
25:3 Home events. Requital.
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II 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. —> If you’ll recall from our last Chapter II Chronicles 14:23-26, because Amaziah’s father Joash had forsaken Father, Father sent king Hazael and the Syrians against Joash and Jerusalem. We read in II Kings 12 that Joash had tried to buy Hazael off by taking all the Dedicated and Hallowed things out of Father’s Temple; but it was Father Who put it in Hazael’s heart to come against Joash, so Hazael continued on and defeated Joash. When he did so, he left Joash in a bad state with many wounds. Joash then left Jerusalem for Millo to recover from his wounds, and as he was lying on his bed, two of his servants — Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess came in and killed him.
So, now that Amaziah is fully on the throne, his first order of business is to exact revenge for the murder of his father, the king.
25:4 Home events. Requital.
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II Chronicles 25:4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses (Drawing out [of the water], that is, rescued; or, “drawn,” i.e. from the water) (mo-shehי), where the LORD commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.” —> Notice the statement here “but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses…;” this shows us that Amaziah knows Father’s Law, the law is quoted from Deuteronomy 24:16 which reads: Deuteronomy 24:16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin..
Book of the law of Moses=Dr. Bullinger in his Companion Bible has an Appendix 47—click here—which covers this very subject. The description of “the Law of Moses” in the Smith’s Bible Dictionary is extensive and too long to post here so, I’ll instead just post the link to it, click: here.
Moses=For a detailed description of Moses, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
25:5-13 Foreign events. War.
25:5-13 FOREIGN EVENTS.
WAR WITH EDOM. (Alternation.)
25:5 Levies raised.
1A5
II Chronicles 25:5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah (celebrated; and, praised, celebrated) (yeh-hoo-dawי) together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin (son of (the) right hand; or, son of the right hand, fortunate (bin-yaw-meneי): and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. —> With the first order of business complete, now it’s time to get his kingdom in order, he’ll do this by numbering the males in the kingdom 20 years old and up in order that he knows how many men he has which can wage war. This is a good thing; however, it shows he is putting his trust in man and not Father. Do you remember what did I said Amaziah’s name means? “strength of YAH” or “the strength of YAH,” well Amaziah isn’t going to live up to his namesake, he isn’t going to rely on Father’s strength.
Amaziah finds that he has 300,000 men who are capable of engaging in battle, they are skilled in the use of both shield and spear. Three hundred thousand makes a fairly large army; but, we’re going to find that Amaziah desires more, so he’ll also hire some mercenaries from the House of Israel.
Why does Amaziah need so many war-fighters? Because he is preparing to go to war against Edomites who had revolted against the House of Judah under the hand of his great, great, great, great grand-father Jehoram as we read back in II Chronicles 21:8-10. Amaziah wants the Edomites back under Judah’s control, and he wants them to again pay tribute to Judah. Remember also brethren, under Jehoshaphat, the House of Judah was mustering a 1,600,000 war-fighters—II Chronicles 17:14-17—so to now only be able to muster 300,000 is a major, major loss of war-fighters and war-fighting capabilities.
Judah=For a detailed description of Judah, including the Territories history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Judah, the man, his descendants, or the Tribe=Judah was Jacob’s forth oldest son, and like his first three, Judah too, was born of Leah. † It is through Judah that the genealogical seed-line to Jesus continues. It will also be Judah’s descendants who’ll become the king line in the future. It was Judah who asked in Genesis 37:26 …“What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? [37:27] Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh”… —> Judah didn’t have the heart to kill his brother; however, he had no qualms selling him off to foreigners. A Judas—Judah’s name in the Greek language, also a slang term\name for someone who betrays a friend because of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus—sold Joseph, as a Judas sold Jesus Christ. This Pastor speculates that it was guilt for selling their younger brother to that traveling company of merchantmen which caused Judah to do the negotiating for their youngest brother Benjamin with Joseph when they all went back to Egypt as read in Genesis 44. It was also Judah who took to wife, a woman outside the Israelite genealogical lineage, which of course was against Father’s Command and Law. He married a Canaanite woman named Shuah, who bare him three sons named: Er, Onan and Shelah. When Er came of age, Judah found an Israelite woman named Tamar for him to marry. Father found Er to be wicked, in other words, Father took things into His own hands, meaning this, He had chosen Tamar to be the female line through which the seed-line would continue and pass on through, and for the half-breed Er who had Canaanite blood, which was most likely contaminated from the fallen angels, to lay with Tamar would corrupt that line; therefore Father gave Divine Intervention to correct the wrong that Judah has committed, and He took Er Home to Him. As was custom at the time, since Er died before having any sons, his brother Onan was required to marry Tamar and bare a son to his brother; however, Onan spilled his seed onto the ground, and Father slew him also. Judah feared for the life of his youngest son; and therefore refused him to go unto Tamar. After a while Judah went sheep shearing—as was his custom and nature—and he found Tamar, who had dressed as a harlot in order to ensnare Judah to lay with her and bare her a son, Judah fell for her disguise and did lay with her, and, sure enough, Tamar became pregnant and later bare twins: Pharez and Zarah. Both Pharez and Zarah, together with their mother are in the genealogical seed-line to Jesus, see Matthew 1:3. At Jacob’s death bed Blessing of his sons, he bestowed this Blessing upon his forth oldest son: Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. [49:9] Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? [49:10] The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. [49:11] Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: [49:12] His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. —> To have your hand on your enemies neck means that you will have victory over your enemy. It was to Judah that Father gave the royal king line, the right to rule, and He said that the sceptre would never leave Judah’s lineage, it would continue right up to the Second Advent and Jesus’ Return. Judah’s actions when he was a young man were that of having a quick temper, fast reaction, and though it was his two older brothers who enacted revenge on the Hivites, Judah was also one to first strike out at an enemy. As he became older, Judah became more stable, much like an old lion, who will stand his ground, and not be easily moved, which explains why, when he went in before Joseph, whom he did not know at the time was Joseph; he assumed full responsibility in standing his ground and protecting Benjamin. Shiloh=Means “the place of rest.” The term, “unto Him—Christ Jesus—shall the gathering of the people be;” is in reference to the coming of the promised Messiah. The phrase “he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes” is a figure of speech, which in the English translation loses the meaning of the Hebrew text, and what it means is this: it is the same as us saying today, “he is so rich that he could bathe in perfume” for, the juice of the grapes were similar in value to the perfume of today. The whole expression was pointing to the fact of extreme wealth, and not in reference to being as a drunkard. Whereas, “red with wine” simply means that he will have plenty, while “teeth white with milk” is in reference to his flocks always being blessed. During the Blessing of Moses in Deuteronomy 33, we read: Deuteronomy 33:7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, “Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, And bring him unto his people: Let his hands be sufficient for him; And be Thou an help to him from his enemies.” —> Remember, brethren, Simeon was included in Judah’s Blessing. This Blessing has the answer to success in anyone’s life; for, in the phrase, “Let his hands be sufficient for him;” as we know, we work with our hands. Therefore, this is asking Father for the health of Judah’s descendants to where they can do the work that Father has put before them. During the first numbering in Numbers 2:4, we read Judah’s numbers were: 74,600; then during the second numbering, in Numbers 26:22, we read that their numbers had increased by 1,900, to 76,500. Judah’s numbers as compared to the rest of the Tribes after the second numbering was the top of the list, meaning they had the highest number of men 20 years old and upward, able to go to war. Judah’s encampment as they came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness, was on the East Side of the Tabernacle, toward the rising of the sun. The Tribe of Judah was the Standard Bearer for the East, the Tribe of Judah was the centerpiece of the East, surrounded by the Tribes of Issachar, and Zebulun. The sign on Judah’s Standard was a lion—Leo. The colors on the Standard, was the color of the Stones on the Second Row of the High Priest’s Breastplate, which were the Emerald, the Sapphire, and the Diamond, and as such the colors most likely were green, blue, and white. † For the etymology of the name Judah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Judah appears to be associated to the verb ידה (yada), meaning to praise. When Leah gave birth to Judah she names him such by saying, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Perhaps she meant that she realized that her first three sons weren’t going to bring her closer to Jacob, and she should redirect her focus to Father. That Leah uses our verb יהד when she names Judah is no proof that the name Judah actually comes from that verb, and the name and the verb seem quite different. But through certain grammatical construction called Hophal the two may become quite similar. The related form Hiphel of this verb occurs in Nehemiah 11:17, spelled identical to the name Judah and pronounced slightly different. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary deems to connection “dubious” and it’s quite possible that the name Judah originated in another language and was artificially grafted onto this Hebrew verb. But this is a technical matter, and any member of a practical Hebrew audience would readily tie the name Judah to the verb ידה (yada), meaning to praise. Formally, the name Judah does not contain the appellative יה (YAH) = יהו (YAHU) = יו (YU), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH, (the sacred and personal name of Father). While ELOHIM is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”, but no member of a Hebrew audience would fail to notice that the first two letters of the name Judah form יה (YAH). And if the letter ד (daleth) would be omitted from the name Judah, the very name יהוה (YHVH) would appear.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3063, - יְהוּדָה, - yehûdâh, pronounced - yeh-hoo-dawי, and means: From H3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah) , the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe and the Kingdom descended from the first, and of its territory: - Judah. Total KJV occurrences: 820.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Praised, celebrated. When the disruption of Solomon’s kingdom took place at Shechem, only the tribe of Judah followed David, but almost immediately afterward the larger part of Benjamin joined Judah. A part, if not all, of the territory of Simeon I Samuel 27:6; I Kings 19:3, compare with Joshua 19:1, and of Dan II Chronicles 11:10, compare with Joshua 19:41,42. Was recognized as belonging to Judah; and in the reigns of Abijah and Asa the southern kingdom was enlarged by some additions taken out of the territory of Ephraim II Chronicles 13:19; 15:8; 17:2. It is estimated that the territory of Judah contained about 3450 square miles. Advantages. — The kingdom of Judah possessed many advantages which secured for it a longer continuance than that of Israel. A frontier less exposed to powerful enemies, a soil less fertile, a population hardier and more united, a fixed and venerated centre of administration and religion, a hereditary aristocracy in the sacerdotal caste, an army always subordinate, a succession of kings which no revolution interrupted; so that Judah survived her more populous and more powerful sister kingdom by 135 years. History — The first three kings of Judah seem to have cherished the hope of re-establishing their authority over the ten tribes; for sixty years there was war between them and the kings of Israel. The victory achieved by the daring Abijah brought to Judah a temporary accession of territory. Asa appears to have enlarged it still further. Hanani’s remonstrance II Chronicles 16:7 prepares us for the reversal by Jehoshaphat of the policy which Asa pursued toward Israel and Damascus. A close alliance sprang up with strange rapidity between Judah and Israel. Jehoshaphat, active and prosperous, commanded the respect of his neighbors; but under Amaziah Jerusalem was entered and plundered by the Israelites. Under Uzziah and Jotham, Judah long enjoyed prosperity, till Ahaz became the tributary and vassal of Tiglath-pileser. Already in the fatal grasp of Assyria, Judah was yet spared for a checkered existence of almost another century and a half after the termination of the kingdom of Israel. The consummation of the ruin came upon its people in the destruction of the temple by the hand of Nebuzaradan. There were 19 kings, all from the family of David. (Population. — We have a gage as to the number of the people at different periods in the number of soldiers. If we estimate the population at four times the fighting men, we will have the following table: King...Date ... Soldiers ... Population David...B.C. 1056-1015 ... 500,000 ... 2,000,000 Rehoboam...975-957 ... 180,000 ... 720,000 Abijah...957-955 ... 400,000 ... 1,600,000 Asa...955-914 ... 500,000 ... 2,000,000 Jehoshaphat...914-889 ... 1,160,000 ... 4,640,000 Amaziah...839-810 ... 300,000 ... 1,200,000 -ED.)”.
Benjamin=For a detailed description of Benjamin, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
25:6-10 Mercenaries. Prohibition.
1A6
II Chronicles 25:6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel (he will rule as YAH; or, the prince that prevails with YAH) (Yis-raw-aleי) (secondary map) for an hundred talents of silver. —> So, Amaziah has an emissary go to the House of Israel and purchase the services of 100,000 mercenaries for a hundred talents of silver. Did Amaziah first seek Father and ask His counsel if he should do this? No. Do you see any reliance on Father in this brethren? No. It is all based on the reliance of man, completely leaving Father out of the equation.
Talents=One talent of Silver was equal to todays Troy weight of approximately 117 pounds. At todays current price of $24.08 per ounce, this would be approximately $4,507,776.00, a good sum of money. But remember, this was for all 100,000 men, not per individual man, it therefore equates to a little over $45 per man. That “good sum of money” I mentioned, now doesn’t sound so good, and I would be willing to bet the money didn’t go to the men, it went to the king. Of course, these mercenaries have it in their minds that they will be getting spoils of war when they defeat the Edomites.
Israel=For a detailed description of Israel, including his birth, his and the Nation’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A7
II Chronicles 25:7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, “O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim (double fruit; and double fruitfulness) (ef-rahי-yim) (territory). —> As Amaziah was hiring these 100,000 mercenaries, Father sent one of His Prophets to him to tell him that He was not pleased with Amaziah’s decision to leave Him out of Amaziah’s plans. Brethren, this is never a good thing, and in every major decision in our lives, we should always seek Father First. Things won’t go well for Amaziah for his not seeking Father first. Let’s look at the last two times the kings of the House of Judah left Father out of their plans, II Chronicles 20:37, which reads: II Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works.” And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish. —> Just like Amaziah here, his great, great grand-father Jehoshaphat forsook Father and relied on man—in his case, it was Ahaziah the king of the House of Israel, now let’s go back one Chapter further to II Chronicles 19:2, which reads: II Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. —> Jehoshaphat was a good king; however, he had a propensity to seek man and not Father; and it seems Amaziah is going to follow in his great, great grand-father’s footsteps. How do you think this will turn out for him? Any better then Jehoshaphat?
…man of God…=In other words, one of Father’s prophets. The first occurrence of the use of this phrase was in Deuteronomy 33:1. There are 7 specifically so called: Moses in Deuteronomy 33:1; Samuel in I Samuel 9:6-10; David in Nehemiah 12:24; Elijah in I Kings 17:18; Elisha in II Kings 4:7; Shemaiah in II Chronicles 11:2; Igdaliah in Jeremiah 35:4; and 4 unnamed: I Samuel 2:27; I Kings 13:1; I Kings 20:28; and II Chronicles 25:7. For further examples and explanation, see Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible appendix 49.
God=As used in this verse, this is אלהים, ELOHIM—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices,: ELOHIM—the genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, Appendix 4: “ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living “WORD” with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). “Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world.” In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.”. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that “(with Art.) = the [true] God.”.
Ephraim=Ephraim was the largest Tribe in all Israel, both Houses; and usually when Ephraim is mentioned in Father’s Word, It is talking of the House of Israel and I believe as the verse states “…all the children of Ephraim” that is includes all ten of the northern Tribes—but does not include the House of Judah. See, because of Jeroboam establishing the two golden calves and demanding everybody worship his golden calves, a lot of the People of the House of Israel had fled down to the House of Judah to escape the godlessness of Jeroboam, only those who enjoyed his paganism stayed, and Father hated those who worshipped false gods and idols and was therefore not with the People of the House of Israel.
Ephraim=For a detailed description of Ephraim, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A8
II Chronicles 25:8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. —> Sadly, our King James 1611 translators didn’t do us any favors in translating this verse brethren. This should read, “…God shall not make thee fall before the emeny…”. Father, through His Prophet, is telling Amaziah to stop puting his faith in man and instead, put it in Father; for Father will give him the victory over Edomites and he doesn’t need these mercenaries which he hired from Israel. As a matter of fact, should he choose to not send them away, since Father is not with these mercenaries, the battle will not go well. My comments are backed-up and supported by how the verse closes, “God hath power to help, and to cast down”. What will Amaziah do? Let’s continue reading and find out.
1A9
II Chronicles 25:9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.” —> He is still leaning toward questioning, he still at this time lacks faith in Father; we see here, he is concerned with fleshly things, i.e., money which he paid to the king of Israel for these mercenaries. Father’s Prophet tells him to stop worrying about the little things and have Faith in Father and He will not only give Amaziah the victory over the Edomites; but, He will ensure Amaziah doesn’t miss any of the monies he already paid to the king of Israel, He’ll enlarge his fortune and wealth.
25:10 Mercenaries sent home.
1A10
II Chronicles 25:10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger. —> Though the translators used the word “army” here, remember, that these men are not the army of Israel. Yes, they might in fact be soldiers; but, they are hired mercenaries and they expected to be paid from the spoils of war which they would recover after defeating the Edomites.
This verse closes by saying, “…wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger”. We’re going to find out three verses from now, that they did not immediately return home brethren. We’re going to find that they stopped along the way to get their “fair share,”—to use todays vernacular—they were going to take their anger and frustration of not geting what they were expecting to get, out on the unsuspecting People of Judah, their brothers—fellow descendants of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.
25:11 victory over the Edomites.
1A11
II Chronicles 25:11 And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his People, and went to the valley of Salt (properly powder, that is, (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved); and, salt, or literally “dry-maker”) (mehי-lakh), and smote of the children of Seir (rough; or, hairy, shaggy) (say-eerי) ten thousand. —> …Amaziah strengthened himself…=Father told Amaziah three verses ago, in verse 25:8 to “…be strong…” and here we see him doing just that, strengthening himself for war against the Edomites—the children of Seir. He took his 300,000 troops to south of the Dead Sea, to the Valley of Salt and put a whoopin on the Edomites; slaying 10,000 men on the battlefield and as we’ll see in the next verse, marching another 10,000 to a large rock on the top of a mountain—biblical historian Josephus writes in his Antiquity of the Jews that this rock was, “the great rock which is in Arabia”—and casting them off that high hill—my mind cannot fathom this scene, and I don’t want it too; there is nothing wrong with slaying a man in battle, but to march him or them up to a high mountain and then throw them off is another thing.
…ten thousand…=Father’s Word doesn’t say, nor does Josephus, how many war-fighters the Edomites came to this battle with; but we know from these two verses that it was as a minimum, 20,000 or so.
Valley of Salt
Valley of Salt=The Valley of Salt lie directly south of the Dead Sea and was to the west of the city of Zoar which was located within the confines of the Valley of Salt. Our first encounter with the Valley of Salt in Father’s Word is during the reign and rule of King David, and we read in II Samuel 8:13 and I Chronicles 18:12, that David had the victory over and defeated either the Edomites or the Syrians or perhaps even both in the Valley of Salt. Or, it could be that while David was waging war against the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, the Edomites came against David in the south of Judah, and David dispatched his nephew Abishai against the Edomites who put a whoopin on them as David was whooping up on the Syrians. The next we read of the Valley of Salt—II Kings 14:7 and II Chronicles 25:11—is two centuries later when we read of David’s great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandson Amaziah engaged the Edomites in battle and Father gave him the victory over them, slaying 10,000 war-fighters and then marching another 10,000 to the top of a mountain, to the great rock which is in Arabia, and casting these 10,000 men to their death. † For the etymology of the name Valley of Salt, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “The name Ge-melah is one of a few Biblical names that customarily are translated in translations (namely as the Valley of Salt). It’s spelled in three different ways, and mentioned five times in accounts that are either conflicting, augmentative or highly allegorical. The name Ge-melah consists of two elements: The first part is the noun גיא (gaiי), meaning valley or flat, low plain: The second part of our name is the word מלח (melah), meaning salt or literally “dry-maker”: The name Ge-melah literally means Valley Of Salt, which in physical geography may have denoted a place where salt was mined (possibly somewhere in the Rift Valley, where the Salt Sea is located; the Edomites lived just south of the Salt Sea). But the mentions of Ge-melah are obviously of great symbolic portent, and reminds of what Joel called the Valley (עמקx, יemeq;) of Decision (החרוץ): “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of YHVH is near in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14).”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H4417, - מֶלַח, - melach, pronounced - mehי-lakh, and means: From H4414; properly powder, that is, (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved): - salt ([-pit]). Total KJV occurrences 28.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A valley in which occurred two memorable victories of the Israelite arms: 1. That of David over the Edomites, II Samuel 8:13; I Chronicles 18:12. 2. That of Amaziah, II Kings 14:7; II Chronicles 25:11. It is perhaps the broad open plain which lies at the lower end of the Dead Sea, and intervenes between the lake itself and the range of heights which crosses the valley at six or eight miles to the south. This same view is taken by Dr. Robinson. Others suggest that it lay nearer to Petra. What little can be inferred from the narrative as to its situation favors the latter theory.”.
Seir
Seir=Seir was a descendant of Esau the elder twin son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau’s genealogy is found in Genesis 36, and we read in Genesis 36:1, the following: Genesis 36:1 Now these are THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU, who is Edom.. As Esau is Edom, this then, makes every one of Esau’s descendants Edomites. Genesis 36:1-5 chronicle, list and name Esau’s sons who he bare while still in the land of Canaan. Genesis 36:6-8 tell us that Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, all their children, all his beasts and cattle and departed the land of Canaan and moved to Mount Seir. Genesis 36:9-43 chronicle and detail “THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU the father of the Edomites IN MOUNT SEIR:,” and we read when we come to Genesis 36:19-21 that one of Esau’s sons bare Seir who is the Horite—Genesis 36:19 These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes. [36:20] These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, [36:21] And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.—thus our first encounter with Mount Seir in Father’s Word is in Genesis 14:5-6, where we read: Genesis 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, [14:6] And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.. So, obviously, the Horites were the first inhabitants of Mount Seir. Several centuries later, as Father was leading our forefathers toward the Promised Land, they encamped by Mount Seir for some time. However, by the time that they arrived, Father had caused a rift between the Horites and the Edomites, whereby the Edomites destroyed the Horites and took over the land as we read in Deuteronomy 2:12, which reads: Deuteronomy 2:12 The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.; further backed-up by Deuteronomy 2:22, which reads: Deuteronomy 2:19 And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.’ [2:20] (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; [2:21] A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: [2:22] As He did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when He destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: —> What was going on while our forefathers were in bondage to the Egyptians? All the descendants of Esau were messing and mating with the fallen angels and bearing children—the giants—with them, therefore, Father caused them to war against each other and destroy each other. As for the land itself, The Mount and the land run along the east side of the valley of Arabah, from the Dead Sea to the Elanitie Gulf and it extended as far south as the head of the Gulf of Akabah, its eastern border ran along the base of the mountain range where the plateau of Arabia begins. Its northern border is not so accurately determined. † For the etymology of the name Seir, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Seir comes to us from other languages (probably Horite), but written in Hebrew it looks like it has to do with any of the roots שער (sיr). These things considered, the name Seir must have instilled terror in the hearts of anyone who heard it. The Seirites were known as The Hairy Guys, Bucks, and Riders On The Storm. All the more reason to fear the Edomites, who displaced the original Seirites. For a meaning of the name Seir, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Hairy, Shaggy. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Rough, Bristly.” † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H8165, - שֵׂעִיר, - śê‛ı̂yr, pronounced - say-eerי, and means: formed like H8163; rough; Seir, a mountain of Idumaea and its aboriginal occupants, also one in Palestine: - Seir. Total KJV occurrences: 39. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Hairy, shaggy. Mount Seir, one of the landmarks on the north boundary of the territory of Judah Joshua 15:10 only. It lay westward of Kirjath-jearim, and between it and Beth-shemesh. If Kuriel el-Enab be the former and Ain-shems the latter of these two, then Mount Seir cannot fail to be the ridge which lies between the Wady Aly and the Wady Ghurab. In a pass of this ridge is the modern village of Sair.”.
25:12 victory over the Edomites.
1A12
II Chronicles 25:12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces. —> Here are the other 10,000 war-fighters I mentioned in our last verse, who the war-fighters of the House of Judah marched up to the great rock which is in Arabia, and cast them off that mountain to their death.
Normally at this time in history, when one army conquered another army, those who were not killed in battle became slaves of the conquering army’s Nation; however, because the Edomites had proven themselves to be such irreconcilable enemies\people that the war-fighters of Judah decided to destroy them rather than make them slaves.
25:13 Israelite mercenaries
whom Amaziah sent back
to Israel.
1A13
II Chronicles 25:13 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 (watch station; and, watch mountain) (sho-mer-oneי) even unto Beth-horon (house of hollowness; and, house of caverns) (bayth-kho-roneי), and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil. —> According to this verse, these mercenaries were angry that they would not be getting any of the spoils of war—in other words, these mercenaries wouldn’t be getting paid any monies at all—they decided they would stop on their way back to Israel and murder, rob and steal from their fellow Israelites of the House of Judah; however, I disagree and I’ll explain why I disagree. First I want you to read the verse again, it says, “…the soldiers the army…fell upon the the cities of Judah…Samaria even to Beth-horon…”. Samaria at this time is the Capital city of the House of Israel, not Judah. Samaria was in the northern part of the territory of the House of Israel and Beth-horon was in the southern portion of the territories. Beth-horon was a part of the Tribe of Ephraim and the Tribe of Ephraim was a part of the House of Israel, not Judah. Why would the verse read the these mercenaries raided from the northern portion of the House of Israel to the southern portion if they were in leaving Jerusalem and the House of Judah? It shoud read, if anything, that they “…fell upon the cities of Judah…from Beth-horon even to Samaria”. But even that still wouldn’t make sense as both those cities were again, in the territory of the House of Israel, not Judah. Neither Dr. Bullinger, Pastor Dennis of Shepherd’s Chapel, nor Roger Christopherson makes any mention calling this out. But—and yes, I know we do not normally utilize the work of Dr. C. I. Scofield as a Biblical reference tool, our Pastors tell us to utilize all available tools to come to the True conclusion of what Father’s Word says—Dr. Scofield notes that these “troops” were actually the sons of these mercenaries. This to me makes much more sense. Where did they start their raid? In the northern territories of the House of Israel, in Samaria, continuing southward to Beth-horon which was still in the territories of the House of Israel. Secondly, it would also make sense when these sons found out that their fathers were not going to be paid, they became angry and wanted to lessen the burden. Third, it would make sense that they would be angry with the king of the House of Israel, especially if they knew he was paid by the king of the House of Judah and then didn’t give any of that money to the mercenaries.
Samaria=For a detailed description of Samaria, including the city’s, history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Beth-Horon=There are two towns or villages called Beth-Horon in Father’s Word: Beth-Horon “the upper” and Beth-Horon “the lower” or “neither.” They were both within the confines of the territory of the Tribe of Ephraim—on the boundry line between Ephraim and Benjamin—on the way from Jerusalem to Joppa, they were situated approximately two miles apart with Beth-Horon “the neither” being approximately 10 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Beth-horon was initially given to the Tribe of Ephraim when our forefathers first moved into the Promised Land. Sadly, the men of the Tribe of Ephraim did not “utterly destroy” the Canaanites of Beth-horon as Father had commanded when our forefathers moved into the land, instead, they allowed them to stay and they polluted the entire region; whereby, as we read in I Chronicles 7:24, the land had to be rebuilt by a daughter—Sherah, the daughter of Beriah—of the Tribe of Ephraim. Several centuries later, we read in II Chronicles 8:5, that Solomon fenced them in and then fortified them with walls, barred-gates, troops and store houses. Some one hundred forty years later during the reign and rule of king Amaziah of the House of Judah, we read in II Chronicles 25:13, that the mercenaries whom Amaziah had hired from the House of Israel to go to war with him against the Edomites, after being warned by one of Father’s Prophets to not take the mercenaries as He was not with them, as they were returning to Israel, they murdered 3,000 people from Samaria to Beth-Horon, taking much spoil as they went. † For the etymology of the name Beth-Horon, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Beth-horon consists of two elements. The first part is identical to the common Hebrew word בית (bayit) meaning house: The second part of our name seems to come from the following root cluster: Because the area of Beth-horon had at least one major cave, scholars assume that the horon-part comes from the word חר (hor), meaning hollow or hole, or else חור (hur), meaning cavern. The ון-extension is a common device to personify or localize the word it's attached to. In this case horon would thus mean: of the hor. For a meaning of the name Beth-horon, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads House Of The Hollow, and Alfred Jones (Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names), who sees the ון extension as a mere intensifier, suggests Place Of The Great Cavern. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary is unsure as always, and proposes Place Of A Hole or Hollow? But the name Beth-horon obviously also means House Of The Free Men or rather House Of Freedom or House Of Personal Sovereignty, which ties in neatly into the redemptive essence of the Christ (JOHN 8:32), and which wouldn’t have escaped the commentators of old.”. † Now from the Strong’s concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: 1032, - בֵּית חוֹרוֹן, - bêyth chôrôn, pronounced - bayth kho-roneי, and means: From H1004 and H2356; house of holloness; Beth-Choron, the name of two adjoining places in Palestine: - Beth-horon. Total KJV occurrences: 14.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “House of caverns. The name of two towns or villages, an “upper” and a “nether,” Joshua 16:3,5; I Chronicles 7:24, on the road from Gibeon to Azekah, Joshua 10:10,11, and the Philistine plain. 1 Macc. 3:24. Beth-horon lay on the boundary line between Benjamin and Ephraim, Joshua 16:3,5, and, Joshua 18:13,14, was counted to Ephraim, Joshua 21:22; I Chronicles 7:24, and given to the Kohathites, Joshua 21:22; I Chronicles 6:68(53). The two Beth-horons still survive in the modern villages of Beit-,ûr, et-tahta and el-foka.”.
25:14-15 Home events, apostasy.
25:14-15 Amaziah’s idolatry.
1A14
II Chronicles 25:14 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. —> And=First off, notice the three “and(s)” in this verse brethren? The use of multiple and(s) in Father’s Word indicates a polysyndeton. These consecutive or multiple uses of the word and, are used to highlight and emphasize each detail and point.
There is so much in this verse brethren, it’s almost difficult to know where to begin! Father, through His Prophet told Amaziah just a few short verses ago in 25:7-9, that he should send the mercenaries back to Israel and He would give Amaziah the victory over the Edomites. When Amaziah balked because of the money he already paid for the mercenaries, Father told Amaziah not to worry, as He would ensure Amaziah would receive much more wealth then what he paid for the mercenaries. As we see here, Father delivered the victory to him and they slaughtered the Edomites and what does Amaziah do? He takes the gods—that’s with a lower case “g,” meaning they were not gods at all, they were false gods—idols which could not give the Edomites the victory over Amaziah who had The True God with him. Not only does Amaziah take these false gods back home with him; but he prostrates himself before them and worships them and then burns incense to them. Wow, just wow, what an idiotic fool! Did you read anywhere in this verse that Amaziah gave any credit to Father? Did you read anywhere in this verse that Amaziah Thanks Father? Did you read anywhere in this verse that Amaziah worshipped Father in recognition to the victory which Father gave him over the Edomites? No! He worshipped the Edomites false gods. This setting up and worshiping of the false gods of Seir is Amaziah’s downfall. Father is going to again send His Prophet to him; though this time, to try and get him to stop worshiping these false gods. Will Amaziah listen? We’re going to read that he does not listen to Father. I remind you brethren, Amaziah’s name means: The strength of YAH, but now he is calling on idols which cannot hear, see, or help him at all — they have no strength, as they are only things made by man.
25:15 Father’s anger kindled against
Amaziah.
1A15
II Chronicles 25:15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and He sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, “Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?” —> Like I said, Father had sent one of His Prophets to talk with Amaziah and try to get him to change his ways—Father didn’t have to send this Prophet, He could have, and had every right to, send immediate Judgment upon Amaziah—however, as we’re reading here, Amaziah strongly rebuked this Prophet of Father’s, and if you rebuke one of Father’s Prophets, you rebuke Father. It will be to his own detriment.
Care to see just how big a fool Amaziah was? Listen to what he says next:
1A16
II Chronicles 25:16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, “Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?” Then the prophet forbare, and said, “I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.” —> As Father’s Prophet is chastizing Amaziah for his bringing the Edomites’ idols back to Jerusalem and worshipping them, Amaziah tells him to stop and shut-up. He continues by saying, who made you part of my counsel? He is rejecting Father and His counsel, and he then threatens Father’s Prophet. A very dangerous path to travel. Of course, what he is really saying, is for Father to get out of his life, he has no need for Father. Amaziah has completely forsaken Father. Father, through His Prophet, now tells Amaziah, that He has devised, purposed, and resolved to bring Amaziah Home to Him, his life in this flesh Age has come to an end; it may not be at this very moment, but rest assured, Amaziah’s life in the flesh is about to come to a close. Father has completely and utterly forsaken Amaziah.
25:17-24 Foreign events. War.
25:17-24 FOREIGN EVENTS. WAR.
(Introversion.)
25:17 Amaziah, challenge.
1A17
II Chronicles 25:17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash (YHVH fired; and, to whom YHVH hastens i.e and, to help) (yo-awshי), the son of Jehoahaz (YHVH-seized; or, whom YHVH sustains) (yeh-ho-aw-khawzי), the son of Jehu (YHVH (is) he; and, the living) (yay-hooי), king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us see one another in the face.” —> …Amaziah took advice…=This is not saying Amaziah took Father’s advice or counsel, no, he rejected Father and His counsel in favor of man’s. I will say though, unbeknownst to him, in reality, he is doing what Father exactly what Father wanted of him, about to bring about his own demise by warring against the House of Israel.
…sent to Joash…=After rebuking Father and His Prophet, and telling them to stop meddling in his affairs, Amaziah—being puffed up in his heart for the victory Father had given him over the Edomites—proposes to his counsel that he desires to bring the House of Israel back under him. These “yes men” tell him that his thought-process is good and that since he was so powerful and prosperous over the Edomites, he should write to Joash the king of Israel and tell him that he and his Nation of the House of Israel should submit and come back under his—Amaziah’s—reign and rule, whereby he would be king over all twelve Tribes of Israel. So Amaziah does just that, he writes to Joash and tells him in no uncertain terms, that he and his army are more powerful and stronger than Joash and his army, therefore, Joash should tell his war-fighters to just lay down their arms and submit, and Joash needs to come to Jerusalem and be obedient to him.
…let us see one another in the face=This was an Israelite idiom meaning, a desire, declaration, or provocation for war. In other words, Amaziah just told Joash that unless he does indeed submit, war is coming.
Joash
Joash=Joash—also called Jehoash—was the son of Jehoahaz and grand-son of Jehu, the son of a man named Nimshi. He was the twelfth king of the divided Nation of the House of Israel—he became king after his father died, during the 37th year of the reign and rule of Joash, king of the House of Judah—reigning for 16 years, from 737 to 721B.C.. He inherited an army which only consisted of 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot-soldiers; barely enough to protect himself from anybody. However, he quicky grew his army, we know this because when Amaziah, king of the House of Judah—Joash’s son—was about to wage war against the Edomites, he hired 100,000 soldiers from Joash to supplement Amaziah’s 300,000 war-fighters; though Father told Amaziah to send these hired mercenaries back to Israel as “He was not with the children of the House of Israel”—even though Father was not with the House of Israel at this time, Father used Joash as a tool to fulfill another of His prophesies against Amaziah. Under the reign and rule of Joash, things were quite in Israel, though, he, like his father Jehoahaz, was an ungodly king. However, during his reign, Amaziah sent messengers carying a letter to Joash demanding Joash meet him on the battlefield in order that Amaziah defeat him and bring the House of Israel back under the umbrella of a United House of Judah. Joash responded to Amaziah, saying in essence, that Amaziah was about to “bite-off more than he could chew,” as he would not fair well in a war against the House of Israel. Amaziah persisted, and as Joash told him, he did not fair well, Joash and his army put a major butt whopping on Judah, they captured Amaziah; they broke down between approximately 650-800 feet of the Temple Complex wall\gate which was located on the north side, and called the “Gate of Benjamin;” and what the army of the House of Israel did was prevented Judah and Jerusalem from staging any offensive and preventing defensive posture in any future engagement by their northern brethren; they captured much gold and silver out of both Father’s House and from the king’s treasury; and they took many hostages back to Israel with them as they returned home. Though Joash was the victor in this little civil war, Amaziah out-lived Joash by 15 years. † Abarim Publications does not provide an etymology for the name Joash or Jehoash, so I will do my best. I do not have on-line access to a Brown Briver Briggs (BDB) Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, a Harris Archer Waltke Theological Word Book of the Old Testament, nor an Alfred Jones’s Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names, but by taking names similar, I can deduce by taking the two parts of the name Joash, come to a logical conclusion. The name Joash consists of two elements: the first is יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH or YAHVEH. The second element being the noun אש ss(יesh) meaning fire; therefore, the name Joash means: YHVH-fired. Easton’s Bible Dictionary has for Joash: YAVH bestows and for Jehoash he has YHVH-given. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3101, - יוֹאָשׁ,ss or יֹאָשׁ, - yô'âsh, or yô'âsh, pronounced - yo-awshי or yo-awshי, and means: A form of H3060; YHVH-fired; Joash, the name of six Israelites: - Joash. Total KJV occurrences: 46.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “To whom YHVH hastens, i.e. to help. Son and successor of Jehoahaz on the throne of Israel, and for two full years a contemporary sovereign with the preceding, II Kings 14:1, compare with 12:1; 13:10. When he succeeded to the crown the kingdom was in a deplorable state from the devastations of Hazael and Ben-hadad, kings of Syria. On occasion of a friendly visit paid by Joash to Elisha on his death-bed, the prophet promised him deliverance from the Syrian yoke in Aphek, I Kings 20:26-30. He then bade him smite upon the ground, and the king smote thrice and then stayed. The prophet rebuked him for staying, and limited to three his victories over Syria. Accordingly Joash did defeat Ben-hadad three times on the field of battle, and recovered from him the cities which Hazael had taken from Jehoahaz. The other great military event of Joash’s reign was the successful war with Amaziah king of Judah. He died in the fifteenth year of Amaziah king of Judah.”.
Jehoahaz
Jehoahaz=Jehoahaz was the son of Jehu, the son of a man named Nimshi. He was the 11th king of the divided House of Israel. He reigned and ruled for 17 years and only did that which was evil in Father’s eyes. Because of his unrighteousness, Father sent king Hazael and his Syrian army against Jehoahaz and the House of Israel. Father got his attention and he besought Father, Who sent a savior to stop the oppression; however, once the oppression stopped, Jehoahaz went right back to his unrighteousness, so Father again sent the Syrians against him and Israel, leaving the Israelite army in a decimated state, whereby they were only left with 50 horsemen, 10 chariots and 10,000 foot-soldiers. † For the etymology of the name Jehoahaz, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The first Jehoahaz we come across is a son and successor of Jehu, king of Israel (II Kings 10:35). In II Kings 14:1 this Jehoahaz is called Joahaz, which is essentially the same name, just spelled slightly different. The name Jehoahaz consists of two elements. The first part of our name is יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHVH, or Yahveh. The second part of Jehoahaz comes from the verb אחז (ahaz), meaning to take hold of, seize or grasp: For a meaning of the name Jehoahaz, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Yahveh Has Taken Hold Of. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names proposes Whom The Lord Holds Fast, and BDB Theological Dictionary suggests Yah Hath Grasped.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3059, - יְהוֹאָחָז, - yehô'âchâz, pronounced - yeh-ho-aw-khawzי, and means: From H3068 and H270; YHVH seized; Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites: - Jehoahaz. Compare H3099. Total KJV occurrences: 23.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Whom YHVH sustains. The son and successor of Jehu, reigned 17 years over Israel in Samaria. His inglorious history is given in II Kings 13:1-9. Throughout his reign, ver. 22, he was kept in subjection by Hazael king of Damascus. Jehoahaz maintained the idolatry of Jeroboam; but in the extremity of his humiliation he besought Jehovah, and Jehovah gave Israel a deliverer—probably either Jehoash, verse. 23 and 25, or Jeroboam II, Kings 14:24,25.”.
Jehu=For a detailed description of Jehu, including his birth, his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
25:18-20 Challenge given.
25:18 Joash’s reply.1A18
II Chronicles 25:18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon ([the] white mountain [from its snow] ; and, White one) (leb-aw-nohnי) sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give thy daughter to my son to wife:’ and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. —> Joash quickly gives his answer to Amaziah’s messenger, telling him to go back to Amaziah with this riddle of the thistle and the tree of Lebanon, its meaning is this: yes, you went to down in Edom and you may have been a mighty army who had a great victory over the Edomites; however, up here in Israel, you and your army are nothing but a tiny thistle which can be easily stepped upon and snapped in two. His reference to the “cedars of Lebanon” is representative of “the House of Israel,” and those cedars represent something very large and strong; whereas, the “thistle that was in Lebanon” is representative of the “House of Judah,” and those thistles are weak and nimble. His is also reminding Amaziah that their two families had intermarried back to the time of Ahab and Jehoshaphat, through their children: Ahab’s daughter Athaliah to Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram.
Lebanon
Lebanon=The Lebanon range proper, borders the east coast of the Mediterranean, for a distance of 100 miles, running North-Northeast and South-Southwest from the mouth of the Litany river, the Leontes, which enters the sea a little North of Tyre, to the mouth of the Eleuthurus, a few miles North of Tripolis. This river comes through a depression between Lebanon and the Nuseiriyeh mountains, known as “the entrance to Hamath,” and connects with a caravan route to the Euphrates through Palmyra. Snow is found upon these summits throughout the year Jeremiah 18:14, while formerly the level area between them furnished the snow fields from which a glacier descended several miles into the headwaters of the Qadisha, reaching a level of about 5,000 ft. The glacier deposited in this amphitheater a terminal moraine covering several square miles, which at its front, near Bsherreh, is 1,000 ft. in thickness. It is on this, that the grove of cedars referred to, is growing. † For the etymology of the name Lebanon, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Lebanon comes from the root לבן (lbn), which yields a range of words that have to do with white or whiteness: The name Lebanon is the name Laban extended with the waw-nun combination, which localizes or personifies the root. Hence, as Laban means White, Lebanon means White One. We may assume that this is because of its perpetual snow. For a meaning of the name Lebanon, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Very White, or Mountain Of Snow. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List does not translate.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3844, - לְבָנוֹן, - lebânôn, pronounced - leb-aw-nohnי, and means: From H3825; (the) white mountain (from its snow); Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine: - Lebanon. Total KJV occurrences: 71.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A mountain range in the north of Palestine. The name Lebanon signifies white, and was applied either on account of snow which, during a great part of the year, cover its whole summit, or on account of the white color of its limestone cliffs and peaks. It is the “white mountain” — the Mont Blane of Palestine. Lebanon is represented in Scripture as lying upon the northern border of the land of Israel Deuteronomy 1:7; 11:24; Joshua 1:4. Two distinct ranges bear this name. They run in parallel lines from southwest to northeast for about 90 geographical miles, enclosing between them a long, fertile valley from five to eight miles wide, anciently called Coele-Syria. The western range is the “Libanus” of the old geographers and the Lebanon of Scripture. The eastern range was called “Anti-Libanus” by geographers, and “Lebanon toward the sunrising” by the sacred writers Joshua 13:5. Lebanon—The western range—commences on the south of the deep ravine of the Litany, the ancient river Leontes, which drains the valley of Cole-Syria, and falls into the Mediterranean five miles north of Tyre. It runs northeast in a straight line parallel to the coast, to the opening from the Mediterranean into the plain of Emesa, called in Scripture the “entrance of Hamath” Numbers 34:8. Here Nehr el-Kebir—the ancient river Eleutherus—sweeps round its northern end, as the Leontes does round its southern. The average elevation of the range is from 6,000 to 8,000 feet; but two peaks rise considerably higher. On the summits of both these peaks the snow remains in patches during the whole summer. The line of cultivation runs along at the height of about 6,000 feet; and below this the features of the western slopes are entirely different. The rugged limestone banks are scantily clothed with the evergreen oak, and the sandstone with pines; while every available spot is carefully cultivated. The cultivation is wonderful, and shows what all Syria might be if under a good government. Fig trees cling to the naked rock; vines are trained along narrow ledges; long ranges of mulberries, on terraces like steps of stairs, cover the more gentle declivities; and dense groves of olives fill up the bottoms of the glens. Hundreds of villages are seen—here built among labyrinths of rocks, there clinging like among labyrinths of rocks, there clinging like swallows’ nests to the sides of cliffs; while convents, no less numerous, are perched on the top of every peak. The vine is still largely cultivated in every part of the mountain. Lebanon also abounds in olives, figs and mulberries; while some remnants exist of the forests of pine, oak and cedar which formerly covered it I Kings 5:6; Ezra 3:7; Psalms 29:5; Isaiah 14:8. Considerable numbers of wild beasts still inhabit its retired glens and higher peaks; the writer has seen jackals, hyaenas, wolves, bears and panthers II Kings 14:9; Song of Solomon 4:8; Habakkuk 2:17. Along the base of Lebanon runs the irregular plain of Phoenicia—nowhere more than two miles wide, and often interrupted by bold rocky spurs that dip into the sea. The main ridge of Lebanon is composed of Jura limestone, and abounds in fossils. Long belts of more recent sandstone run along the western slopes, which are in places largely impregnated with iron. Lebanon was originally inhabited by the Hivites and Giblites Joshua 13:5-6; Judges 3:3. The whole mountain range was assigned to the Israelites, but was never conquered by them Joshua 13:2-6; Judges 3:1-3. During the Jewish monarchy it appears to have been subject of the Phoenicians I Kings 5:2-6; Ezra 3:7. From the Greek conquest until modern times Lebanon had no separate history. Anti-Libanus. —The main chain of Anti-Libanus commences in the plateau of Bashan, near the parallel of Caesarea Philippi, runs north to Hermon, and then northeast in a straight line till it stinks down into the great plain of Emesa, not far from the site of Riblah. Hermon is the loftiest peak; the next highest is a few miles north of the site of Abila, beside the village of Bludan, and has an elevation of about 7,000 feet. The rest of the ridge averages about 5,000 feet; it is in general bleak and barren, with shelving gray declivities, gray cliffs and gray rounded summits. Here and there we meet with thin forests of dwarf oak and juniper. The western slopes descend abruptly into the Buka'a; but the features of the eastern are entirely different. Three side ridges here radiate from Hermon, like the ribs of an open fan, and form the supporting walls of three great terraces. Anti-Libanus is only once distinctly mentioned in Scripture, where it is accurately described as “Lebanon toward the sunrising” Joshua 13:5.”.
25:19 Joash’s reply.1A19
II Chronicles 25:19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?” —> Joash continues to try and warn Amaziah off, he tells him more or less, that his alligator mouth is over-riding his piss-ant keister. He reminds him that yes, Father may have given him the victory over the Edomites, but, if he continues in his effort to try and come against the House of Israel and make the subject to him, he and his Judian army are going to suffer a serious defeat, as Israel will annihilate he and his army.
25:20 Amaziah accepts Joash’s
challenge.1A20
II Chronicles 25:20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that He might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. —> Who is behind Amaziah’s stubbornness? Father Himself! Remember brethren, Amaziah had rebuked and rejected Father and His Prophet whom He sent to try and talk some sense into Amaziah; so, Father Himself is now laying directly onto Amaziah’s heart to continue to pursue his engagement against Israel, to which Judah is about to suffer a serious whooping. Remember also, the last we readv was that Judah was able to muster three hundred thousand troops, at this point in time we’re unsure of the numbers of war-fighters in Israel, as we read in II Kings 13:7 that the House of Israel was down to fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot-soldiers; whereas, here in II Chronicles 25:6, we know they had at minimum one hundred thousand foot-soldiers. In either case, it appears that Judah, by a margin of about 3-to-1, has Israel outnumbered; but, for the time being and as a chastisement, Father is with Israel and against Amaziah because of his bowing himself to the gods of the Edomites.
25:21-24 Amaziah’s defeat by Israel
1A21
II Chronicles 25:21 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-Shemesh (house of the sun ; and, house of (the) sun) (bayth shehי-mesh), which belongeth to Judah. —> …went up…=This is not to say that Joash travelled north, as Beth-Shemesh was south of Israel’s capital city of Samaria. It is a figure of speech indicating that Joash and the Israelite army went out to engage the Amaziah and the Judian army, and we’re going to read that the Israelite army puts a serious whooping on the Judian army. Why? Because, though Father was not with Joash and the Israelites at this time, He will still utilize them to bring about the destruction of Amazian for his forsaking Father and worshipping the false gods of Edom.
Beth-Shemesh was on the norther border of the territory of Judah—Joshua 15:10—which “went down to Beth-Shemesh.” This topographical indication “down” puts Beth-Shemesh toward the lowlands on the East or West side of Palestine, but does not indicate which. This point is clearly determined by the account of the return of Father’s Ark by the Philistine lords from Ekron—the account of which we can read of in I Samuel 6:9-19. The Philistines returned Father’s Ark to Beth-Shemesh, the location of which they indicated by the remark that “if it—the kine—goeth up by the way of his own coast to Beth-shemesh, then He—Father—hath done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us”. The Philistines lay along the western border of Judah and the location of Beth-Shemesh of Judah is thus clearly fixed near the western lowland, close to the border between the territory of Judah and that claimed by the Philistines. This is confirmed by the account of the twelve officers of the commissariat of King Solomon. One of these, the son of Dekar, had a Beth-shemesh in his territory. By excluding the territory assigned to the other eleven officers, the territory of this son of Dekar is found to be in Judah and to lie along the Philistine border—I Kings 4:9. A Philistine attack upon the border-land of Judah testifies to the same effect—II Chronicles 28:18.
Beth-Shemesh
Beth-shemesh=The first we read of Beth-Shemesh in Father’s Word is as Father was bringing our forefathers out of their bondage to the Egyptians and moving them into the Promised Land. Moses had already returned Home to Father and Joshua was leading them. We read in Joshua 15:1-12 that Beth-Shemesh was given to the Tribe of Judah as an inheritance, it was on their northern border. In Joshua 19:17-23 we further read that this portion of Judah was further divided and given to the Tribe of Zebulon. It is further divided again in Joshua 21:16 and given to the Sons of Aaron as a Levitical Priest city. During the time of Samuel—I Samuel 4-I Samuel 6—our forefathers were engaged in battle agaisnt their arch enemy the Philistines and our forefathers decided—without first seeking Father—that they would take Father’s Ark to the front-line of the battlefield with them; for their not first seeking Father, Father gave the victory to the Philistines and they captured Father’s Ark. While in their possession—they placed it in the city of Ashdod—Father inflicted the Philistines with emerods and the Ashdodites decided they no longer wanted Father’s Ark in their city, so they gave it to one of their neighboring cities, after inflicting this city with emerods, these people also decided they no longer wanted it, so they too passed it to another city, this happened to two more cities, and the Philistines now decided they better give His Ark back to our forefathers. The Philistines sought the counsel of their “priests of their false god dagon” who advised the Philistines to make tresspass offerings—images made of gold of the emerods and mice which Father had also inflicted the Philistine cities with, give glory unto Father, so that maybe He will lighten His hand from off the Philistines, and from off their gods, and from off their land—place the tresspass offerings in Father’s Ark, place His Ark on a mother-cow drawn cart and then lead the cows to their border—at Beth-Shemesh—with our forefathers to see if the cows would return to our forefathers. If the cows returned to our forefathers, then the Philistines would know that the infliction which befell them was of Father and their action of returning His Ark was correct. Several centuries later, during the reigns of Joash, king of the House of Israel, and Amaziah, king of the House of Judah, the two kings and their armies met on the battlefield at Beth-Shemesh—II Chronicles 25. † For the etymology of the name Beth-Shemesh, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Beth-shemesh consists of two elements. The first part is identical to the common Hebrew word בית (bayit) meaning house: The second part of our name comes from the noun שמש (shemesh), meaning sun: For a meaning of the name Beth-shemeshv both new Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names read House Of The Sun. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary has Sun Temple.”. † Now from the Strong’s concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1053, - בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ, - bêyth shemesh, - pronounced: bayth shehי-mesh, - and means: From H1004 and H1821; house of (the) sun; Beth-Shemesh, a place in Palestine: - Beth-shemesh. Total KJV occurences: 21.. † Now from the Easton’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “House of the sun. A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan (Joshua 21:16; I Samuel 6:15), on the north border of Judah (Joshua 15:10). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was made prisoner (II Kings 14:11,13). It was afterwards taken by the Philistines (II Chronicles 28:18). It is the modern ruined Arabic village יAin-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem.”.
1A22
II Chronicles 25:22 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. —> Amaziah’s inflated ego and larger numbers were no match against Father’s strength, and Amaziah’s people paid a heavy price for it. The men of Judah, seeing how bad they were about to get thumped, turned and fled from the battlefield, “running for the hills,” so to speak; but, suffice it to say they had had enough and returned home. Would you have thought of any different outcome brethren?
1A23
II Chronicles 25:23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. —> After administering a sounding and thorough thrashing of their brethren, the Israelites then captured Judah’s king Amaziah, and then continued to the point where they broke down between approximately 650-800 feet of the Temple Complex wall\gate. This wall\gate section was located on the north side of the Temple structure, and was called the “Gate of Benjamin.” In essense, what they did was prevented Judah and Jerusalem from ever staging a future attack, and at the same time prevented them from mounting any defense against a future attack by their northern brethren or any other enemy who desired to attack Judah. This section of the wall/gate was overlooking a broad flat plain of land; whereas, the rest of the section of wall surrounding Jerusalem was all surrounded by mountainous terrain.
1A24
II Chronicles 25:24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom (worker of edom; and, servant of edom) (o-badeי ed-omeי), and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. —> They also took home much spoil from Judah as they were leaving, and sadly, it means that they removed all the dedicated things in Father’ Temple. I don’t mind their spoiling their brethren; but, I’m not sure I agree with their spoiling Father so-to-speak. But, they also took much spoil out of the king’s palace, including “hostages”—in the Hebrew language and in the manuscripts, this reads, “sons of security”—who happened to be the king’s own sons. Joash’s taking Amaziah’s son ensured his safe travels back to Samaria.
Obed-edom and his family—as we’ll read in our next Chapter, in verse, II Chronicles 26:15—were the Treasurers of Father’s Temple.
Obed-edom
Obed-Edom=Obed-Edom was a Levite with whom David placed Father’s Ark after Father had struck Uzzah dead for stretching forth his hand in order to try and steady Father’s Ark when our forefathers were incorrectly transporting It. David, unsure what Father wanted him to do, left Father’s Ark at Obed-Edom’s house for 3 months. Father Blessed Obed-Edom for safeguarding His Ark, and when it was told to David that Father had indeed Blessed Obed-Edom, David gathered his crew and retrned to Obed-Edom’s house to retrieve Father’s Ark and bring It into Jerusalem. There are 15 verses with 20 matches for the name Obed-Edom and it’s associated Strong’s Hebrew word number: H5654 in Father’s Word, 5 verses and 8 matches are for the man whose house Father’s Ark sat at until David returned to retrieve It, the other verses and matches are for other men named Obed-Edom. † For the etymology of the name Obed-edom, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name Obed-edom obviously consists of two separate elements: The first part of the name Obed-edom comes from the root עבד (abad), meaning servant or to serve: The second part of the name Obed-edom comes from the root אדם x(יdm), meaning either mankind or ruddy, or refers to Edom. The name Obed-edom entirely translated becomes Servant Of The Red One, but for a meaning of the name Obed-edom, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Servant Of Edom, and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Serving Edom.. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5654, - עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם, - ‛ôbêd 'ĕdôm, pronounced - O-badeי Ed-omeי, and means: From the active particle of H5647 and H123; worker of Edom; Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites: - Obed-edom. Total KJV occurrences: 20.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A Levite, described as a Gittite in II Samuel 6:10-11; I Chronicles 13:12-13; and 15:25 that is, probably, a native of the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in Manasseh, which was assigned to the Kohathites Joshua 21:25. After the death of Uzzah, the ark, which was being conducted from the house of Abinadab in Gibeah to the city of David, was carried aside into the house of Obed-edom, where it continued three months. It was brought thence by David.”.
25:25-28 Conclusion.
1A25
II Chronicles 25:25 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. —> After that routing by their brethren Israel, the House of Judah never again came against the House of Israel, and during the years of peace between the two Nations, Joash—the conqueror—died and was out-lived by—the conquered—Amaziah by fifteen years.
1A26
II Chronicles 25:26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? —> Yes they are written of and we read of them back in II Kings 14 and here in II Chronicles 25. Thus ends the reign of the man who, with Father YHVH’s assistance, defeated the Edomites, and he paid Father back by bring the gods of the Edomites back to Jerusalem with him, and then turned his back on Father and worshiped those same gods who could not assist their previous owner in his fight against the man who now possessed them.
1A27
II Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish (invincible; and, impregnable) (law-keeshי): but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. —> What happened? The righteous People of Judah conspired aganist Amaziah to kill him because of all the evil which he did, and for his causing the chastisement of Father to be upon them. So he fled to Lachish, which is in the territories of Judah; but, on the border with Philistia, i.e., the Philistines.
Lachish=For a detailed description of Lachish, including the town’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A28
II Chronicles 25:28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah. —> Once he was dead, they loaded him up on a horse drawn carriage, brought him back to Jerusalem, conducted a royal funeral for him, and then buried him with his fathers the kings of Judah in the City of Judah. We read in II Kings 14:20 that they “…buried him at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.,” a slight difference, and probably a purposeful “slight” against him because of his not being a righteous king.
Something else to note here, is that, he, along with his father Joash and grandfather Ahaziah, are all ommitted from the genealogy in Matthew 1, probably because they all did evil, and more importantly, because they died a violent death.
Mar 2022.
This Bible Study was written by Scott Reis and is provided in order to be used as a private Bible Study Tool. Therefore, it may be copied in whole or in part and shared for private Bible Study; however, it may not be reproduced and published as an original work.
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