Joash, king of Judah, died, and Amaziah, his son, reigned in his place. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, that didn't mean he was secure. He was only 25 when he took over the kingdom, killed the servants that had murdered his father, then got Judah in trouble because they oppressed and took over Edom, thought he was mighty, and decided to go against Israel. Ahaziah sent word to Joash, king of Israel, challenging him to a face-to-face battle, and Joash acquiesced, knowing it was like a cedar against a thistle. Joash beat Judah, broke down the wall in Jerusalem, and took all of Judah's treasures from the house of the Lord and the king's house and brought it back to Samaria. Ahaziah lived fifteen years longer than Joash but was run out of Jerusalem and lived in Lachish until he died. Azariah, Ahaziah's son, was made king in his place. Azariah was notable for building Elath, a port town, and restoring Jerusalem. Jeroboam II, the son of Joash king of Israel began his reign, but was an evil king. Jonah lived during this time period, but so did Amos and Hosea. Even though it seemed like darkness during that time, God never left himself without a witness. Hosea was the first to write down his prophecy, and then the others came thereafter.
The lesson in this 14th chapter of 2 Kings is never to think you are mightier than you are. Even a good king had his limits, faced an uphill battle, and was ultimately taken out. Things might be rough, even for good people, but because of Jesus, our eternity is secure with him. Bide your time, and learn your lessons. God never promised that life would be easy; easy comes in our eternity.
And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 2 Kings 14:27
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