Summary
In the second year of Joash king of Israel, Amaziah began his reign as king of Judah at twenty‑five, lasting twenty‑nine years. He performed righteous deeds yet followed his father’s example and left high places intact. He avenged his father by killing those who killed him but spared the murderers’ children in accordance with the law. Amaziah defeated the Edomites, taking a city he renamed Joktheel. Jehoash sent messengers to Amaziah, and a tense meeting at Bethshemesh led to Jehoash besieging Jerusalem, breaking a wall, and seizing gold, silver, vessels, and hostages. After Jehoash’s death, Amaziah lived fifteen more years before being killed in a conspiracy, after which his son Azariah succeeded him. Jeroboam son of Joash began his reign in Israel, continued the sinful practices of earlier kings, yet the Lord preserved Israel through him. The acts of both kings are recorded in the chronicles.