2 Chronicles 25:19

25:18 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 trode down the thistle.

Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

KJV

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You say to yourself that you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?’”

Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

You say, See, you have smitten the Edomites; and your heart lifts you up to boast: abide now at home; why should you meddle to your hurt, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?

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?

25:20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.

What does 2 Chronicles 25:19 mean?

2 Chronicles 25:19 is a verse in the book of 2 Chronicles, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אָמַר (ʼâmar), נָכָה (nâkâh), אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm). It connects to 27 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Thou

sayest,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

Lo,

thou

hast

smittenנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

the

Edomites;אֱדֹםʼĔdôm/ed-ome'/H123Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him

and

thine

heartלֵבlêb/labe/H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything

lifteth

thee

upנָשָׂאnâsâʼ/naw-saw'/H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

boast:כָּבַדkâbad/kaw-bad'/H3513to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses)

abideיָשַׁבyâshab/yaw-shab'/H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

now

home;בַּיִתbayith/bah'-yith/H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

why

shouldest

thou

meddleגָּרָהgârâh/gaw-raw'/H1624properly, to grate, i.e. (figuratively) to anger

thine

hurt,רַעraʻ/rah/H7451bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

that

thou

shouldest

fall,נָפַלnâphal/naw-fal'/H5307to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

even

thou,

and

JudahיְהוּדָהYᵉhûwdâh/yeh-hoo-daw'/H3063Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

with

thee?

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 25:19

CLARKE · whole chapter

r 25:3, 2Chr 25:4. He reviews and remodels the army, 2Chr 25:5; and hires a hundred thousand soldiers out of Israel, whom, on the expostulation of a prophet, he sends home again, without bringing them into active service; at which they are greatly offended, 2Chr 25:6-10. He attacks the Syrians, kills ten thousand, and takes ten thousand prisoners, whom he precipitates from the top of a rock, so that they are dashed to pieces, 2Chr 25:11, 2Chr 25:12. The Israelitish soldiers, sent back, ravage several of the cities of Judah, 2Chr 25:13. Amaziah becomes an idolater, 2Chr 25:14. Is reproved by a prophet, whom he threatens, and obliges to desist, 2Chr 25:15, 2Chr 25:16. He challenges Joash, king of Israel, 2Chr 25:17; who reproves him by a parable, 2Chr 25:18, 2Chr 25:19. Not desisting, the armies meet, the Jews are overthrown, and Amaziah taken prisoner by Joash, who ravages the temple, and takes away all the treasures of the king, 2Chr 25:20-24. The reign of Amaziah: a conspiracy is formed against him; he flees to Lachish, whither he is pursued and slain; is brought to Jerusalem, and buried with his fathers, 2Chr 25:25-28. Verse 2 He did that which was right - He began his reign well, but soon became an idolater, 2Chr 25:14, 2Chr 25:15. Verse 5 Gathered Judah together - He purposed to avenge himself of the Syrians, but wished to know his military strength before he came to a rupture. Verse 7 The Lord is not with Israel - "The Word of the Lord is not the helper of the Israelites, nor of the kingdom of the tribe of Ephraim." - Targum. Verse 9 The Lord is able to give thee much more than this - Better lose the money than keep the men, for they will be a curse unto thee. Verse 10 They returned home in great anger - They thought they were insulted, and began to meditate revenge. See the notes on 2 Kings 14:1-20 (note), where almost every circumstance in this chapter is examined and explained. Verse 14 The gods of the children of Seir - "The idols of the children of Gebal." - Targum. Verse 16 Art thou made of the king's counsel? - How darest thou give advice to, or reprove, a king? Verse 18 The thistle that was in Lebanon - See the explanation of this 2Kgs 14:9 (note). After reciting this fable, the Targum adds, "Thus hast thou done in the time thou didst send unto me, and didst lead up from the house of Israel a hundred thousand strong warriors for a hundred talents of silver: and after they were sent, thou didst not permit them to go with thee to war, but didst send them back, greatly enraged, so that they spread themselves over the country; and having cut off three thousand, they brought back much spoil." Verse 24 In the house of God with Obed-edom - From 1Chr 26:15 we learn that to Obed-edom and his descendants was allotted the keeping of the house of Asuppim or collections for the Divine treasury. And - the hostages - See on 2Kgs 14:14 (note). Verse 26 The rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last - Says the Targum; "The first, when he walked in the fear of the Lord, the last, when he departed from the right way before the Lord; are they not written," etc. Verse 27 Made a conspiracy - He no doubt became very unpopular after having lost the battle with the Israelites; the consequence of which was the dismantling of Jerusalem, and the seizure of the royal treasures, with several other evils. It is likely that the last fifteen years of his reign were greatly embittered: so that, finding the royal city to be no place of safety, he endeavored to secure himself at Lachish; but all in vain, for thither his murderers pursued him; and he who forsook the Lord was forsaken by every friend, perished in his gainsaying, and came to an untimely end. Introduction Uzziah, the son of Amaziah, succeeds; and begins his reign piously and prosperously, which continued during the life of Zechariah the prophet,

HENRY_FULL · 2 Chronicles 25:17–28

The Death of Amaziah. ( b. c. 825.) 17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face. 18 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 trode down the thistle. 19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? 20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. 21 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 22 And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. 23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. 25 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. 26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? 27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. 28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah. We have here this degenerate prince mortified by his neighbour and murdered by his own subjects. I. Never was proud prince more thoroughly mortified than Amaziah was by Joash king of Israel. 1. This part of the story (which was as fully related 2 Kings xiv. 8 , &c., as it is here)—embracing the foolish challenge which Amaziah sent to Joash ( v. 17 ), his haughty scornful answer to it ( v. 18 ), with the friendly advice he gave him to sit still and know when he was well off, ( v. 19 ),—his wilfully persisting in his challenge ( v. 20, 21 ), the defeat that was given him ( v. 22 ), and the calamity he brought upon himself and his city thereby ( v. 23, 24 ),—verifies two of Solomon's proverbs:—(1.) That a man's pride will bring him low, Prov. xxix. 23 . It goes before his destruction; not only procures it meritoriously, but is often the immediate occasion of it. He that exalteth himself shall be abased. (2.) That he that goes forth hastily to strive will probably not know what to do in the end thereof, when his neighbour has put him to shame, Prov. xxv. 8 . He that is fond of contention may have enough of it sooner than he thinks of. 2. But there are two passages in this story which we had not before in the Kings. (1.) That Amaziah took advice before he challenged the king of Israel, v. 17 . But of whom? Not of the prophet—he was not made of the king's counsel; but of his statesmen that would flatter him and bid him go up and prosper. It is good to take advice, but then it must be of those that are fit to advise us. Those that will not take advice from the word of God, which would guide them aright, will justly be left to the bad advice of those that will counsel them to their destruction. Let those be made fools that will not be made wise. (2.) Amaziah's imprudence is here made the punishment of his impiety ( v. 20 ): It was of the Lord; he left him to himself to act thus foolishly, that he and his people might be delivered into the hands of their enemies, because they had forsaken God and sought after the gods of Edom. Those that will not persuaded to do well for their souls will justly be given up to their own counsels to do ill for themselves even in their outward affairs. II. Never was poor prince more violently pursued by his own subjects. From the time that he departed from the Lord (so it may be read, v. 27 ) the hearts of his subjects departed from him, and they began to form a design against him in Jerusalem. It is probable they were exasperated against him more for his rashly engaging in a war against Israel than for his worshipping the gods of Edom. But at length the ferment grew so high, and he perceived the plot to be laid so deeply, that he thought fit to quit his royal city and flee to Lachish, either as a private place where he might be hid or as a strong place where he might be guarded; but they sent after him thither, and slew him there. By this the putting of him to death seems to have been done deliberately, and to have been the act, not of a disgusted servant or two, but of a considerable body that durst avow it. How unrighteous soever they were herein, God was righteous.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 8:14

Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

2 Chronicles 25:5

Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.

2 Chronicles 25:12

And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

2 Chronicles 26:16

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 32:25

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 35:21

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.

Proverbs 13:10

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:6

A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 20:3

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Proverbs 24:24

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

Proverbs 24:25

But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

Proverbs 26:17

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 28:25

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

Jeremiah 9:23

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Daniel 5:20

But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

Micah 3:5

Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Luke 14:31

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

1 Corinthians 1:29

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

2 Peter 2:1

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Jude 1:16

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

Revelation 16:13

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Revelation 16:14

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 19:20

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Topics

Kings Pride

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Chronicles 25:19.

Exodus 10:1

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

Exodus 14:17

And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

Exodus 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.

Exodus 8:32

And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

Exodus 9:34

And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Exodus 9:7

And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

Genesis 13:6

And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Chronicles 25:19 say?

2 Chronicles 25:19 (King James Version) reads: "Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?"

Is 2 Chronicles 25:19 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Chronicles 25:19 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Chronicles.

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As you read 2 Chronicles 25:19, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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