1. What is the “but” concerning Amaziah?
“(1) Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. (2) And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart” (II Chronicles 25:1-2).
2. What did Amaziah do when the kingdom was established to him?
“(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. (4) But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, 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” (II Chronicles 25:3-4).
The instruction of Moses Amaziah was obeying is found in (Deuteronomy 24:16).
3. What did the man of God tell Amaziah concerning the soldiers from Israel he had hired?
“(6) He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver. (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. (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” (II Chronicles 25:6-8).
4. Did Amaziah take heed to the warning from the man of God?
Hesitatantly, he did: “(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. (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” (II Chronicles 25:9-10).
5. What did Amaziah do when they went up against the children of Seir?
“(11) And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand. (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” (II Chronicles 25:11-12).
6. What was happening while Amaziah led his armies against the children of Seir?
“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 even unto Beth–horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil” (II Chronicles 25:13).
7. What did Amaziah bring home from his victory?
“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” (II Chronicles 25:14).
8. How did Amaziah know that God was upset with him and how did he respond?
“(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? (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 [basically, did I ask you to counsel me]? 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” (II Chronicles 25:15-16).
9. What did Joash, king of Israel, tell Amaziah concerning his (Amaziah’s) challenge for battle?
“(17) Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face. (18) And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, 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. (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” (II Chronicles 25:17-19)?
10. Why didn’t Amaziah take heed to Joash’s advice?
“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” (II Chronicles 25:20).
11. Does Amaziah get humbled?
Yes: “(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, which belongeth to Judah. (22) And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. (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. (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, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria” (II Chronicles 25:21-24).
12. How did Amaziah end up dying?
Since he outlived Joash, it was not a result of Israel’s victory, but: “(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: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. (28) And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah” (II Chronicles 25:27-28).
13. Before reading past II Chronicles 26:5, what do you think of Uzziah?
According to verses 4-5, it’s not good: “(4) And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did (NOT LOOKING GOOD – B.A.Y.). (5) And he sought God in the days of Zechariah (NOT LOOKING GOOD – B.A.Y.), who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD (NOT LOOKING GOOD – B.A.Y.), God made him to prosper” (II Chronicles 26:4-5).
14. Who helped Uzziah against the Philistines and the Arabians?
“(6) And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. (7) And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur–baal, and the Mehunims” (II Chronicles 26:6-7).
15. Was Uzziah well prepared for battle?
He had plenty of cattle [livestock] for food (II Chronicles 26:10), and much in the way of a military: “(11) Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. (12) The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. (13) And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. (14) And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. (15) And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong” (II Chronicles 26:11-15).
16. What caused Uzziah to sin against the Lord?
His proud heart: “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense” (II Chronicles 26:16).
17. What happens when Uzziah is confronted for his transgression?
“ (17) And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: (18) And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. (19) Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. (20) And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him” (II Chronicles 26:17-20).
18. How long does Uzziah suffer from leprosy?
“And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land” (II Chronicles 26:21).
19. How did Jotham become mighty and better than his father Uzziah?
“(1) Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. (2) And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly. (3) He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. (4) Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. (5) He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. (6) So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God” (II Chronicles 27:1-6).
20. Why was Ahaz delivered into the hand of the kings of Syria and Israel?
“(1) Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: (2) For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. (3) Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. (4) He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. (5) Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter” (II Chronicles 28:1-5).
He’s not dead, we’ll see more in verses 16ff.
21. What happened to an hundred and twenty thousand valiant men, Maaseiah, and others in Judah?
“For Pekah [king in Israel – II Kings 15:27] the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. (7) And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. (8) And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria” (II Chronicles 28:6-8).
22. What message did Oded bring to the children of Israel?
“(9) But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. (10) And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God? (11) Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you” (II Chronicles 28:9-11).
23. Did anyone hearken unto the message of Oded?
Yes: “(12) Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war, (13) And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. (14) So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. (15) And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria” (II Chronicles 28:12-15).
24. Think outside of the context for this question (hint, Hebrews 7). Why did God seek to protect Judah in our context with Ahaz being so vile?
II Kings 8:19, Psalms 132:11-13, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1, Hebrews 7:14, and Revelation 5:5.
25. Who did Ahaz turn to when the Edomites and Philistines invaded Judah?
The king of Assyria: “(16) At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. (17) For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. (18) The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth–shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there” (II Chronicles 28:16-18).
26. Who was ultimately behind the troubles that plagued Judah?
“(19) For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD” (II Chronicles 28:19).
27. How helpful was Assyria to Ahaz?
“(20) And Tilgath–pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. (21) For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not” (II Chronicles 28:20-21).
28. When all else failed, did Ahaz finally turn to God?
Nope, he turned harder against God: “(22) And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz. (23) For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. (24) And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. (25) And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers” (II Chronicles 28:22-25).
29. Who reigns in the place of Ahaz when he dies?
Hezekiah, his son (II Chronicles 28:27) who will, for the most part, be the bright light needed for God’s people. He did well until he remembered not to trust in God in times of trouble and leaned on Egypt, etc. We shall begin this lesson next!