But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
Read it in contextThe Reign of King Amaziah
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 25:1 (2 Chronicles 25:1 to 2 Chronicles 25:28).
The verse is part of the account of King Amaziah's reign, which begins at the start of the chapter and continues to its end.
25:1Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
25:2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
25:3Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
25:4But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
25:5Moreover 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.
25:6He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
25:7But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
25:8But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
25:9And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.
25:10Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
25:11And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
25:12And 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.
25:13But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
25:14Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.
25:15Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
25:16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
25:17Then 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.
25:18And 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.
25:19Thou 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?
25:20But 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.
25:21So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
25:22And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.
25:23And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
25:24And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
25:25And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
25:26Now 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?
25:27Now 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.
25:28And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 25:1–27:9): Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, their officials and people, priests, prophets, and neighboring forces appear in the successive reigns. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? A man of God warns King Amaziah not to take the hired army of Israel (specifically Ephraim) into battle because the LORD is not with them, and if he does, God will cause him to fall before the enemy.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His displeasure with the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and His desire for King Amaziah and Judah to rely solely on Him for victory. He also reveals His power to help or to cast down.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history. book background
When
When was it written? The book of 2 Chronicles was written between approximately 450 and 425 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? This event takes place during the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, who began to reign at twenty-five years old and reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem.
Where
Where did it happen? The warning was given to King Amaziah, who reigned in Jerusalem. The battle for which he was preparing was against the children of Seir in the valley of salt.
Where was the author located? The author was located in Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Reign of King Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:1 to 2 Chronicles 25:28).
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 25:1. The verse is part of the account of King Amaziah's reign, which begins at the start of the chapter and continues to its end.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage details King Amaziah's preparations for war against Edom and God's intervention to prevent him from relying on the unfaithful northern kingdom of Israel. It sets the stage for Amaziah's initial obedience in dismissing the Israelite army, followed by his later disobedience and its consequences, which are further elaborated in the chapter. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The passage illustrates God's demand for His people to rely solely on Him for victory and provision, rather than on worldly alliances or human strength. Christ is the ultimate source of strength and salvation, and believers are called to trust in Him alone, not in 'hired' help or ungodly associations. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today should seek God's counsel and obey His word, even when it means sacrificing perceived advantages or financial investments. Trusting in God's provision and guidance, rather than worldly resources or alliances that are not aligned with His will, is crucial for spiritual victory and avoiding negative consequences. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 25
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The sequence of reigns repeatedly connects the kings' choices with the condition of the people and temple worship.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The sequence of reigns repeatedly connects the kings' choices with the condition of the people and temple worship.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.