This chapter narrates the rule of two kings. For our meditation today, we will only focus on the first one from v1-22. Amaziah was king of Judah and his father was King Joash. It is written in v3a that King Amaziah of Judah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” There are other kings like his father Joash too (2 Ki 12) who are given this description as well. [Note that his father Joash is also called Jehoash; this is not to be confused with this King Jehoash or Joash of Israel here.] Being a chosen nation of God, these rulers like Amaziah would follow the Law of Moses (v6) in some of the decisions they made such as killing not only the enemies, but also their descendants as well to remove the risk of subsequent revenge. But their selective obedience stops short here and they fail to follow the example of King David (v3b), “yet not like David his father” in following God wholeheartedly.

The story of his rule unfolds in v7 that describes a splendid victory over the Edomites which is being recorded even till this day. This victory lured him to consider going to war against his sister nation Israel in the north (v8) though his military power was not as strong as King Jehoash. The Israel ruler cautioned Amaziah of his pride by using a parable of a thistle and a cedar. The contrast is that while a thistle is a small flower plant that has sharp prickles on its flower edges, a cedar is a huge and gigantic tree that can grow up to sixty meters tall. The parable indicates to the readers that Amaziah was perhaps displeased with Jehoash for turning down a political marriage alliance with Judah that caused him to resort to war. But Jehoash warned him to be contented with his victory over the Edomites and not to advocate aggression with his neighboring nation. However, Amaziah did not listen and went ahead to fight against Jehoash. He lost the battle. Jehoash seized the all the vessels in the temple and treasures of Amaziah; captured him as hostage to be brought back to Israel. Later, the Israel leader died and Amaziah was back in Judah to reign for another fifteen years. But in the same way that his father died out of conspiracy, he was also killed by his subjects.

Unlike David and other kings like Asa and Jehoshaphat (1 Ki 15:11,14; 22:43), Amaziah is not fully committed to God in all his ways. On one hand, their allegiance to God is limited to a religious following of the Law of Moses, yet their heart is far from way from God. They conducted their sacrifices to God in the temple, yet on the other hand, they also continued with their worship of idols in the high places (v4). And unlike David and some of the good kings, it is not recorded at all that Amaziah would approach God and seek His counsel in all his military campaigns.

How about you, my brothers and sisters? Is your heart unreservedly committed to God? Or do we like Amaziah who is not wholeheartedly committed to God. Recently, I shared a devotion to one fellowship meeting from 1 Cor 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The principle that we can adopt here is to check our heart whether we are glorifying God in every big or small thing that we do or decide every decision (even such thing as eat or drink). In our day-to-day activities like reading our bible, praying, making spiritual conversation with people especially the pre-believers, honoring our parents, caring our children, loving one another in church, managing our finances, choosing our interests or hobbies, etc., do we unreservedly and wholeheartedly seek to please and honor God?

Pray : Dear God, for the things that I am doing today or this week, help me to seek your righteousness and to put my own selfish motive aside. In Jesus’ name. Amen.