2 Chronicles 25:17

AMAZIAH DECIDES TO DECLARE WAR AGAINST NORTHERN ISRAEL

"Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face. 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 trod down the thistle. Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten Edom; and thy heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?"

"And Amaziah ... took advice" (2 Chronicles 25:17). Moffatt renders this, "Let himself be counseled." The previous paragraph reveals that Amaziah rejected the Word of God's prophet; and therefore the counsel which he received here was not of God but of Satan.

"Let us look one another in the face" (2 Chronicles 25:17). This was both intended and understood to be a declaration of war. Joash properly understood the arrogant and egotistical intentions of Amaziah and warned him of the fate that would overtake him; but Amaziah would not hearken to any sound advice.