2 Chronicles 25:1-4 - Homilies By T. Whitelaw

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 days was not conducive to longevity.

III. THE CHARACTER HE MAINTAINED ON THE THRONE . Mixed.

1 . Good. "He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord," as his father did while Jehoiada lived ( 2 Chronicles 24:2 ); i.e. he abandoned idolatry and became a worshipper of Jehovah.

2 . Not perfect. "Not with a perfect heart," as it should have been ( 1 Kings 8:61 ), after the examples of Asa ( 2 Chronicles 15:17 ; 1 Kings 15:14 ) and David ( 2 Kings 14:3 ; Psalms 101:2 ). His return to the worship of Jehovah was probably

IV. THE ACTS HE PERFORMED FROM THE THRONE . Two.

1 . A deed of vengeance. "He slew his servants that had killed the king his father."

2 . An exercise of clemency. "He slew not their children."

LESSONS .

1 . The vanity of earthly glory—even kings must die.

2 . The imperfection of human goodness—the best of men but men at the best.

3 . The impossibility of escaping for ever the due reward of one's evil deeds, except by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

4 . The beauty of clemency in all, but especially in kings. "Earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice" ('Merchant of Venice,' act 4. sc. 1).—W.