2 Kings 14:1-7 Meaning: Right but Not Perfect
1In the second year of Joash, son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.
2He 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.
3He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done.
4However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
5As soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, he killed his servants who had slain the king his father,
6but 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 Yahweh 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.”
7He killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
1In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
2He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
3And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
4Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
5And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
6But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein 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 be put to death for his own sin.
7He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
1In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign.
2He 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 Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.
3And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, yet not like David his father: he did according to all that Joash his father had done.
4Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
5And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, that he slew his servants who had slain the king his father:
6but the children of the murderers he put not to death; according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, as Jehovah 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.
7He slew of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by war, and called the name of it Joktheel, unto this day.
1In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned hath Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah;
2a son of twenty and five years was he in his reigning, and twenty and nine years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Jehoaddan of Jerusalem,
3and he doth that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah, only not like David his father, according to all that Joash his father did he hath done,
4only, the high places have not turned aside--yet are the people sacrificing and making perfume in high places.
5And it cometh to pass, when the kingdom hath been strong in his hand, that he smiteth his servants, those smiting the king his father,
6and the sons of those smiting him he hath not put to death, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses that Jehovah commanded, saying, `Fathers are not put to death for sons, and sons are not put to death for fathers, but each for his own sin is put to death.'
7He hath smitten Edom, in the valley of salt--ten thousand, and seized Selah in war, and one calleth its name Joktheel unto this day,
1In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, began Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, to reign.
2He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
3And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah, yet not like David his father: he did according to all that Joash his father had done.
4Only, the high places were not removed: the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
5And it came to pass when the kingdom was established in his hand, that he slew his servants who had smitten the king his father.
6But the children of those that smote [him] he did not put to death; according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein Jehovah commanded saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
7He smote of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Sela in the war, and called the name of it Joktheel to this day.
Meaning in one sentence
Amaziah's reign shows the challenge of following God wholeheartedly. Learn what his mixed record means for your walk with God.
Context
This passage opens the reign of Amaziah, king of Judah. He succeeded his father Joash, who had been assassinated by his own servants. Amaziah began well, doing what was right in the Lord’s eyes, yet the writer is careful to say he was not like David his ancestor. He followed his father Joash’s pattern, which meant a good start but a flawed finish. The high places where people worshipped outside the temple remained untouched. Still, Amaziah showed genuine loyalty to God’s law when he executed his father’s murderers but spared their children, obeying the command in Deuteronomy. He also won a significant victory over Edom. But as later verses will show, success went to his head. This passage paints a picture of a king who got some things right and left other things undone.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words help us see the texture of this passage. The word yashar, translated “right” in verse 3, means straight or pleasing. It describes something that fits the way things ought to be. Amaziah’s actions were outwardly correct, but the next word, raq (translated “only” or “yet not”), pulls the camera back. Raq limits the praise: “only, not like David.” The Bible is honest about partial goodness. Then there are the bamot, the “high places.” These were local worship sites that had been used for centuries, often mixing true worship with pagan customs. The word itself simply means heights or ridges, but it became a symbol of obedience half-done. Amaziah allowed them to stand, even while he did what was right in other matters. Together these words show the gap between doing right and doing all that God desires.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across Christian traditions, interpreters see Amaziah as a figure of mixed faithfulness. Many Protestant commentators note that he is said to have done right, but “not with a perfect heart” (2 Chronicles 25:2). They emphasize that outward obedience without inward wholeheartedness falls short of the pattern set by David. Catholic and Orthodox writers also point to his reverence for the Mosaic law in sparing the children of the murderers, a rare act of mercy and justice in an ancient Near Eastern context. Some see high places as a lingering corruption that went unchallenged; others view them as a practical compromise. All agree that Amaziah’s story warns us: good beginnings do not guarantee good endings, and God’s measure of faithfulness includes what we leave undone as much as what we do.
A common misunderstanding
It is easy to read “he did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes” and assume Amaziah’s obedience was complete. In fact, the very next phrase, “yet not like David his father”, qualifies the whole description. Amaziah’s righteousness was partial and temporary. He left the high places standing. Later in his reign he fell into idolatry and pride. The verse invites us to hold together both the genuine good and the real failure, not to flatten the picture into either heroism or hypocrisy.
Living This Out
This week, think about one area where you are doing things mostly right, but something important is left undone. For Amaziah it was the high places. For you it might be a habit you know needs to change, a relationship you keep ignoring, or a small dishonesty you tolerate. Amaziah obeyed God when it cost him something, sparing the murderers’ children was not the easy path. But he stopped short of complete reform. Ask yourself: where am I satisfied with “good enough”? Bring that place to God honestly, and let him show you the next step he is asking for.
Main takeaway: God sees the difference between outward obedience and a heart fully given to him, and he invites us to close that gap.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Amaziah was a king who did good things and also some things he should have done better. God wants us to follow him with all our heart, not just part of it.
For ages 9, 12
Amaziah started his reign well, he even obeyed God’s law by not punishing the children for their fathers’ crime. But he left the high places standing, places where people worshipped God in ways God had not commanded. That was a big “almost.” Think about something you know you should do completely, not just halfway. God wants your whole heart, not just a good start.
Questions People Ask
Why is the chronology of Amaziah’s reign so complicated?
The dates in 2 Kings often involve overlapping reigns and co-regencies. Amaziah began to reign in the second year of Joash of Israel, but Joash of Judah died 14 years earlier? The synchronization likely includes a period of co-regency or a different way of counting accession years. Commentators offer various explanations, but the main point is that Amaziah ruled 29 years and his story is anchored in historical events.
Why did Amaziah spare the children of the murderers?
He did so because the law of Moses explicitly forbids punishing children for their fathers’ sins (Deuteronomy 24:16). In a time when it was common to kill whole families to prevent revenge, Amaziah’s restraint showed remarkable obedience to God’s word. It is one of the few bright spots in his record.
What were the “high places” and why were they a problem?
High places were local hilltop shrines where people worshipped. Before the temple was built, God sometimes allowed this, but later they became mixed with idolatry. The kings of Judah were meant to remove them and centralize worship in Jerusalem. Leaving them standing showed incomplete obedience to God’s command.
How did Amaziah compare to David?
David is held up as the standard of wholehearted devotion, despite his sins. Amaziah did right externally, but his heart was not fully committed. Later he turned to idols and became proud after his victory over Edom. The contrast shows that God looks for inward faithfulness, not just correct actions.
What happened after Amaziah’s victory over Edom?
According to 2 Chronicles 25, he brought back Edomite gods and worshipped them. His pride led him to challenge Israel to war, and he was defeated. He later died by assassination. The victory over Edom, while real, led to his spiritual downfall. Success can be dangerous without a humble heart.
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