34: When a Good King Doesn't Trust the Lord

Amaziah (2 Ki. 14:1–20; 2 Chron. 25:1–28)

What makes a good king? Why are some called good, and yet, their lives are full of turmoil, while others are called wicked and their lives are often uneventful in our studies.

Now, it does matter what you do in your life as a Believer, but even more, it matters who you are.

Meaning, you can act like everything is perfect on the outside and even be a church goer and very moral person and still be lost - while someone can be saved and make some wrong choices and their life looks like a wreck.

So it is in the life of Amaziah tonight.

I. HIS BACKGROUND INFO

2 Kings 14:1-4

We see tonight Amaziah was the

A. His family

1. His father was Joash

Remember, his father was the only survivor of Athalia’s murderous rampage so she could be the ruler queen. He was raised by a godly priest, but ended up killing the same godly man’s son, who was a prophet.

2. His mother was Jehoaddan – the Lord of Delights

She was of Jerusalem. Doesn’t give more information about her in the Bible, but it does delineate her from others saying she was from Jerusalem. Perhaps it means she was the daughter of a merchant, a childhood friend, or maybe a cosmopolitan woman. I don’t know.

B. His kingdom

1. He reigned for 29 years

796–767 B.C. This was a solid amount of time, not near the longest but not short either.

2. He was a good king

But not like David – but he did imitate his father, Joash. Joash did well for a awhile and then messed up toward the end.

3. He allowed replacement worship

What do I mean by replacement worship - it is any worship that is not based on truth.

a. Man-centric worship

d. Men worshipped as they saw fit.

b. High places abounded

c. People sacrificed there and burnt incense.

II. DEALING WITH HIS FATHER’S ASSASSINS

vv.5-6

Unlike many of his predecessors and those that would come after him as well as the actions of many other kings throughout history - Amaziah show great restraint in executing vengeance on his father’s murderers.

A. He slew his father’s assassins

He slew all of them, but he showed himself a good king and righteous leader in obeying the law of God. ]

In facts, v. 5 shows us this was his very first act after assuming the throne.

B. He spared the assassins’ families

He did not kill their children, obeying the Mosaic law which said the sons were not to be killed for the sins of their fathers;

Deuteronomy 24:16 KJV

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.

Ezekiel 18:4 KJV

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Ezekiel 18:20 KJV

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

III. VICTORY OVER EDOM

2 Kings 14:7 KJV

He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

In the midst of this battle we see some sobering lessons for Amaziah whom God called a good king. Sometimes good people do wicked things and can still get right. And then there are times when Good kings can do what is right and then end up doing wickedly. We see both of these things in the passage in 2 Chronicles that is summed up in 2 Kings 14:7.

Lets look at 2 Chronicles 25:5-17 for the rest of the story:

A. Amaziah, the disobedient

v.5

We already see sin creeping in the door

To number his men for war was a sin

This was evident in 2Sam 24:1-4 when David numbered the men of war.

God is able to save by many or by few!

B. Amaziah, the self-willed

Look at v.6

Amaziah has organized the army of Judah and found he had an army of 300,000. He then hired 100,000 experienced mercenary soldiers from Israel to help him fight against Edom .

1. He didn’t seek God in prayer

Philippians 4:6 KJV

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

2. He didn’t seek counsel from the Word of God

No where do we see him seeking the principles of God’s Word to make His decision.

3. He didn’t seek counsel from the Man of God

He was not going to war on wise counsel. He was doing it in his pride.

It is a prideful person that never seeks counsel.

C. Amaziah, the rebuked

1. Message from the prophet

vv.7-8

He was warned about depending on others to help this by a prophet.

He was more worried about money than doing right. We live in a generation that lives that way. Money is more important than God’s will. Convenience is our focus over faithfulness.

If there is a testimony of Christianity today in America - it is that we care about money more than anything else.

2. The kings biggest concern - money!

2 Chronicles 25:9a (KJV)

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?...

The king reluctantly sent these mercenaries home, bitterly resenting the lost money he had paid them.

3. A great truth that still applies

But the prophet reassured him, “The Lord is able to give thee much more than this” (2 Chron. 25:9). Here is a precious spiritual gem that should be carefully considered whenever God requires us to give up our time, talent, treasure, or anything close and precious to us. See Jesus’ stirring words to Peter in Matthew 19:27–29.

4. God does much more

vv.10-13

Amaziah went into battle with only his own troops and soundly defeated Edom, killing 20,000 enemy soldiers (25:11).

The Israelite troops returned home, also angry and frustrated. On the way they raided several cities of Judah and killed 3000 people (2 Chron. 25:13).

D. Amaziah, the idolater

vv.14-16

Foolish Amaziah brought back with him some Edomite idols and began worshiping them. God warned the king, through a prophet, of his divine anger. Amaziah refused to listen and curtly dismissed him, but not before the king’s doom was predicted (25:14–16).

No more is a sin a slight, hidden sin, it is now and obtrusive

Sin is now at the door

James 1:15 KJV

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

IV. THE DEBACLE WITH JEHOASH

vv.17-25

A. Amaziah, the proud

Now sin is very deceitful, making people believe a lie. Pride is one of our most deceptive sins, because it tells us how great we are and never has a proper view.

Amaziah, was now not recognizing that it was God that had blessed him. He thought he was something, lifted up in pride, and that the blessings and victories were the result of His abilities and leadership.

The overconfident Amaziah then declared war on northern king Jehoash, Northern king Jehoash responded to Amaziah’s challenge by relating the second (and final) Old Testament fable. (For the first one, see Jdg. 9:8–15.) Note the language of this fable:

v.18 “The thistle that was in Lebanon 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” (2 Chron. 25:18).

Jehoash was at this point warning Amaziah not to let his Edomite victory blind him to reality but to withdraw his arrogant declaration of war. But the plea fell on deaf ears.

B. Amaziah, the defeated

vv.21-25

Amaziah was soundly defeated by Jehoash at Beth-shemesh and was led as a common prisoner back to his own capital in Jerusalem. Upon arriving, Jehoash dismantled 200 yards of the city walls to effect an impressive victory celebration. He then carried off all the treasures of the Temple and palace.

IV. HIS DEPARTURE

vv.26-28

Tonight:

God’s desire is that you have much more than this, He is able to give it to you

God is the almighty and will not forsake us.

Psalm 37:25 KJV

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

He cares for the smallest things

Luke 12:27 KJV

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

He supplies all of our needs

Philippians 4:19 KJV

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Whatever you think you can get by being attached to this world, please know - God can give you much more.