- Amatziah confronts the kingdom of Israel to war: Amatziah sent messengers to Yoash, the son of Yehoachaz, the son of Yeihu the king of Israel, confronting him to come fight a war against him. [The cause for the confrontation was as follows: Amatziah had hired 100,000 warriors from the land of Israel to help him in the war against Edom. The prophet however told Amatziah that they should not join them in the war and should rather return to their lands. The warriors were angered by this and ended up plundering the cities of Yehuda, killing 3000 people and taking spoils from the city. When Amatziah saw this, he confronted the king of Israel to war.[1]]
- Kingdom of Israel responds that if he goes to war he will be destroyed: Yoash the king of Israel sent to Amatziah the king of Yehuda, the following metaphoric answer, “The thorn that was in Lebanon [i.e. Shechem the son of Chamor[2]] sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon [i.e. Yaakov[3]] that he desires his daughter to be given to his son as a wife, and after this request a wild beast that was in Lebanon [i.e. the children of Yaakov[4]] came and trampled the thorn. You have defeated the Edomites and have now become arrogant, thinking that you can also wage war against the kingdom of Israel and be victorious. Retain your honor and stay home otherwise you will be utterly defeated by us. Now, why should you provoke evil and cause you and all of the nation of Yehuda to fall?”
- Amatziah pays no attention and goes to war anyways: Amatziah did not pay attention to the warning of Yoash, and thus Yoash the king of Israel went up to wage war against the kingdom of Yehuda and they confronted each other, he and Amatziah the king of Yehuda, in Beit-Shemesh, which belongs to Yehuda.
- Yoash is victorious and conquers the land of Yehuda: The people of Yehuda were beaten by the people of Israel in the battle, and they fled back to their homes.
- Amatziah is captured by Yoash: Yoash the king of Israel seized Amatziah the king of Yehuda, the son of Yehoash the son of Achaziyahu, in Beit-Shemesh.
- The walls of Jerusalem are breached: Yoash came to Jerusalem and breached the walls of the city from the gate of Ephraim until the corner gate, for a total length of four hundred cubits.
- Yoash takes the treasures from the temple and takes children hostages: Yoash plundered all the gold and silver and vessels of the temple and that were in the treasuries of the king’s palace. He also took all the hostage children with him and returned with them, and with all the plunder, to the city of Shomron. [The hostage children were children of aristocrats of Yehuda who were held captive by the king so their fathers do not rebel against the king.[5]]
[1] Radak 14:8
[2] Rashi 14:9
[3] Rashi 14:9
[4] Rashi 14:9
[5] Rashi 14:14
Related Articles
📄 Daily Tanach – Ovadiah Chapter 1: Judgment on Edom and the Final Triumph of God’s Kingdom
Post Views: 23 The Divine Summons Against Edom (Ovadiah 1–2) The book opens with a prophetic vision revealed to Ovadiah. God announces that the nations have been summoned against Edom for war. Though Edom once considered itself powerful and secure, God declares that He has made it small and despised
📄 Daily Tanach – Amos Chapter 9: Inescapable Judgment and Eternal Restoration
Post Views: 32 The Final Vision: Judgment Without Escape (Amos 9:1–4) Amos concludes his prophecies with a powerful vision of God standing beside the altar and commanding its destruction. The imagery signals that no place—even sacred spaces—can provide refuge. God declares that none of the sinners will escape: not by
📄 Daily Tanach – Amos Chapter 8: The Final End, Economic Corruption, and Spiritual Famine
Post Views: 39 The Vision of the Basket of Summer Fruit (Amos 8:1–3) Amos is shown a vision of a basket of late (summer) figs. When asked what he sees, Amos responds plainly, and God reveals the meaning: the end has come for Israel. Just as summer fruit marks the
📄 Daily Tanach – Amos Chapter 7: Visions of Judgment and the Clash with False Authority
Post Views: 41 The Vision of the Locusts and God’s Mercy (Amos 7:1–3) Amos is shown a vision in which God forms locusts at a critical moment—after the king’s mowings, when the later growth is essential for survival. As the locusts finish consuming the land, Amos intercedes on Israel’s behalf,
📄 Daily Tanach –Amos Chapter 6: Complacency, Arrogance, and Inevitable Exile
Post Views: 53 Condemnation of Complacent Confidence (Amos 6:1) The chapter opens with a declaration of woe against those who feel secure and at ease in Zion and Samaria. These leaders see themselves as preeminent among the nations, assuming that their status and power guarantee safety. Their confidence leads to
📄 Daily Tanach –Amos Chapter 5: A Lament, a Call to Repentance, and the Rejection of Hollow Worship
Post Views: 46 A Lament Over Fallen Israel (Amos 5:1–3) Amos begins with a funeral lament for the house of Israel. He speaks of Israel as a fallen virgin who will not rise again, abandoned on her land with no one to lift her up. The devastation will be massive:
Leave A Comment?
You must be logged in to post a comment.