2 Kings 14
1 Chronicles 14 records the process of how David, as king of Israel, gradually solidified his position. In particular, it includes scenes in which David expands his palace in Jerusalem, establishes his household, and receives God’s guidance to win in battles against the Philistines. This chapter brings together two main themes: the strengthening of David’s kingship and God’s help.
1verseIn the second year of Joash, son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.
2verseHe was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.
3verseHe did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done.
4verseHowever the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
5verseAs soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, he killed his servants who had slain the king his father,
6versebut the children of the murderers he didn’t put to death, according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.”
7verseHe killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
8verseThen Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s look one another in the face.”
9verseJehoash the 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 your daughter to my son as wife.’ Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.
10verseYou have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Enjoy the glory of it, and stay at home; for why should you meddle to your harm, that you fall, even you, and Judah with you?”
11verseBut Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
12verseJudah was defeated by Israel; and each man fled to his tent.
13verseJehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh and came to Jerusalem, then broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
14verseHe took all the gold and silver and all the vessels that were found in the LORD’s house and in the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
15verseNow the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
16verseJehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his place.
17verseAmaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, fifteen years.
18verseNow the rest of the acts of Amaziah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
19verseThey made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.
20verseThey brought him on horses, and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in David’s city.
21verseAll the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.
22verseHe built Elath and restored it to Judah. After that the king slept with his fathers.
23verseIn the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria for forty-one years.
24verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. He didn’t depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin.
25verseHe restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the LORD, the God of Israel’s word, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath Hepher.
26verseFor the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter for all, slave and free; and there was no helper for Israel.
27verseThe LORD didn’t say that he would blot out the name of Israel from under the sky; but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
28verseNow the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
29verseJeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zechariah his son reigned in his place.
Strengthening David’s Kingship and Settling in Jerusalem (Verses 1-7)
In the opening part of the passage (verses 1-7), we see that King Hiram of Tyre sends cedar logs and building experts to David so that he can build a palace. This means that surrounding nations also began to recognize David’s kingship. Next, David gains more wives and children in Jerusalem, which is a symbolic expression of royal succession and the expansion of influence during that time.
The Philistines’ Invasion and David Asking God (Verses 8-17)
Then the Philistines come up to attack him after hearing that David has been anointed and made king (verse 8). Rather than preparing for war himself, David shows that he first seeks God’s will. Guided by God’s leading, David defeats the Philistines at Baal-perazim, and later again follows God’s command through a new kind of sign (a sound in the grove of balsam trees). Through this, the passage emphasizes that David wins not by his own power, but by relying on God’s help.
General Summary and Significance of the Passage
1 Chronicles 14 shows the relationship between David and God, as well as the importance of a leader’s prayers and obedience. As king, David experiences expansion against external enemies and victories, but at the root of it all is always an attitude of asking God and obeying Him. The passage presents a model for living—seeking God’s will when making important decisions in life and when facing crises.
Points for Reflection
- How much do I seek God’s guidance at the center of my life?
- In moments of crisis, do I have an attitude of first asking for God’s will rather than relying on my own will and methods?
- When success or prosperity comes, can I see it as God’s grace rather than my own strength?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When you face an important decision or challenge, develop the habit of praying to God first and asking for His will.
- With gratitude for even small victories and blessings God gives, I hope you will have a day of giving all justice and glory to God.
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