Amaziah was twenty five years old when he began to reign ,.... Of these verses; see Gill on 2 Kings 14:2 . See Gill on 2 Kings 14:3 . See Gill on 2 Kings 14:5 . See Gill on 2 Kings 14:6 . read more
He did that which was right - He began his reign well, but soon became an idolater, 2 Chronicles 25:14 , 2 Chronicles 25:15 . read more
The accession of Amaziah. I. THE TITLE HE HAD TO THE THRONE . The son of Joash, most likely the eldest. His mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. Whether she, like her husband, had declined into idolatry cannot be told. II. THE REIGN HE ENJOYED ON THE THRONE . Twenty-nine years—eleven years less than his father reigned. Eighteen years older than Joash when he obtained the crown, he was only seven years older when he put it off. Clearly idolatry in those... read more
Another type of uncertain character. We are at once advised, in refer-once to Amaziah, that he "did right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart." The expression might be supposed to cover the description of a man whose life was in the main right, but who was betrayed by temptation into some serious sins, of which, like David, he bitterly repented, but genuinely repented, and was restored to peace -rod favour. No such interpretation, however, is here possible. And as... read more
Not with a perfect heart . This is illustrated by his coming "to set up the gods of Edom" ( 2 Chronicles 25:14-16 , 2 Chronicles 25:20 ); also by what the parallel supplies, that he resembled Joash rather than David, and did not suppress "the high places, sacrifices, and in-cense-burning'' ( 2 Kings 14:3 , 2 Kings 14:4 ). In almost all cases, the not perfect heart speaks of that which began well, but did not "endure unto the end." read more
Doing right, but It is well, indeed, when iniquity is qualified with some redeeming features, as we are thankful to think it often is. A man is ungodly, or cruel, or self-indulgent, or mercenary, but he has something in him which makes him much less condemnable than he would otherwise be. Unfortunately, goodness also is often qualified; of the man concerning whom we have much to say in praise there is something serious to say by way of detraction. Of every good man there may be... read more
2 Chronicles 25:2. But not with a perfect heart He was not an enemy to religion, but a cool and indifferent friend. He was not a man of serious piety, for his heart was not whole with God. But of this, and the two following verses, see notes on 2 Kings 14:1-7. read more
Prosperity followed by disaster (25:1-28:27)Succeeding kings of Israel are passed over in silence (2 Kings 13:1-25). Judah was to have nothing to do with the northern kingdom, not even to the hiring of Israelite soldiers. Amaziah took the advice, and was rewarded with victory in a battle against Edom. But the victory, instead of increasing his dependence on God, gave him a feeling of independence. He turned from God and worshipped idols. The ungodly northern kingdom then became God’s instrument... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 25:1-13
Here is, I. The general character of Amaziah: He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, worshipped the true God, kept the temple service a going, and countenanced religion in his kingdom; but he did not do it with a perfect heart (2 Chron. 25:2), that is, he was not a man of serious piety or devotion himself, nor had he any zeal for the exercises of religion. He was no enemy to it, but a cool and indifferent friend. Such is the character of too many in this Laodicean age: they do... read more