Amaziah, King of Judah, initially sought to strengthen his army but was warned by a man of God that the Lord would not bless his plans involving the army of Israel.
Amaziah dismissed the hired Israelite soldiers despite the financial loss, which angered them, leading them to raid Judah en route home, killing 3,000 and seizing plunder.
Amaziah led his troops to victory against the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, killing 20,000, including 10,000 captives thrown from a cliff.
Following his victories, Amaziah adopted the idols of Edom, angering the Lord, who sent a prophet to confront him. Amaziah resisted the warning, inviting judgment.
Amaziah challenged Joash, King of Israel, to battle. Joash warned Amaziah to withdraw but was ignored.
Judah suffered a crushing defeat at Beth Shemesh. Amaziah was captured, and King Joash broke down part of Jerusalem’s wall, plundered the temple and palace treasures, and took hostages.
Later, Amaziah faced a conspiracy in Judah, fled to Lachish, but was killed there, and his body was returned to Judah for burial. His son Uzziah was made king.
Uzziah began his reign at age 16, ruling for 52 years, seeking the Lord under Zechariah’s guidance, and achieving military and agricultural successes.
Uzziah sought God’s favor and prospered, fortifying cities and developing advanced weapons, but fell into pride, attempting to usurp priestly duties by burning incense in the temple.
God struck Uzziah with leprosy for his disobedience, forcing him to live in isolation until his death, while his son Jotham ruled in his stead.
Jotham continued to do right before the Lord, fortified Judah, and defeated the Ammonites, leading to further prosperity but did not fully reform his people’s corrupt practices.
When Ahaz became king, he forsook the Lord, engaging in idolatry and child sacrifice, leading to defeats by the Arameans and Israelites, causing significant losses.
A prophet named Oded intervened, urging Israel to return Judah’s captives, which led to captives being freed and aided with food, clothing, and transport.
Despite help from Assyria, King Ahaz’s idolatrous practices worsened, closing the Lord’s temple and making altars to foreign gods, bringing more judgment upon Judah.
Hezekiah, Ahaz’s son, restored temple worship, called for national repentance, and reinstituted the Passover, uniting Israel and Judah in a great revival of religious practices.
Hezekiah fortified Judah against the Assyrians, trusting in God for deliverance, which came through an angel of the Lord destroying the Assyrian forces.
Hezekiah faced illness but prayed to God, who extended his life and blessed his reign, though his pride caused temporary wrath until he humbled himself.
The prosperity of Hezekiah’s reign ended with his death, and his son Manasseh succeeded him, leading Judah into deep idolatry and sin.
Manasseh’s reign involved rebuilding pagan altars, practicing sorcery, and leading Judah astray. Captured by the Assyrians, he repented, was restored, and reformed his ways, removing idols and repairing the Lord’s altar.
Amon, Manasseh’s son, continued in wickedness and idolatry but was assassinated after two years. His son Josiah became king and brought about significant reforms.
Josiah began seeking God early in his reign, purging Judah and surrounding regions of idolatry, repairing the temple, and rediscovering the Book of the Law, which led to national reforms and covenant renewal.
The Passover was celebrated under Josiah with unmatched grandeur, but his reign ended when he was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt.
Jehoahaz and subsequent kings failed to follow the Lord, leading to Judah’s continual decline and submission to Babylonian rule under Nebuchadnezzar, resulting in exile and the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem.
The chapter concludes with hope as Cyrus, king of Persia, fulfills prophecy by declaring the Jews free to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the Lord.