猶大王亞瑪謝
（代下25‧1－24）
1 以色列王約哈斯的兒子約阿施第二年，猶大王約阿施的兒子亞瑪謝登基。 2他登基的時候年二十五歲，在耶路撒冷作王二十九年。他母親名叫約耶但，是耶路撒冷人。 3亞瑪謝行耶和華眼中看為正的事，但不如他祖大衛，乃效法他父約阿施一切所行的； 4只是邱壇還沒有廢去，百姓仍在那裏獻祭燒香。 5國一堅定，就把殺他父王的臣僕殺了， 6卻沒有治死殺王之人的兒子，是照摩西律法書上耶和華所吩咐的說：「不可因子殺父，也不可因父殺子，各人要為本身的罪而死。」
7 亞瑪謝在鹽谷殺了以東人一萬，又攻取了西拉，改名叫約帖，直到今日。
8那時，亞瑪謝差遣使者去見耶戶的孫子約哈斯的兒子以色列王約阿施，說：「你來，我們二人相見於戰場。」 9以色列王約阿施差遣使者去見猶大王亞瑪謝，說：「黎巴嫩的蒺藜差遣使者去見黎巴嫩的香柏樹，說：將你的女兒給我兒子為妻。後來黎巴嫩有一個野獸經過，把蒺藜踐踏了。 10你打敗了以東人就心高氣傲，你以此為榮耀，在家裏安居就罷了，為何要惹禍，使自己和猶大國一同敗亡呢？」
11 亞瑪謝卻不肯聽這話。於是以色列王約阿施上來，在猶大的伯‧示麥與猶大王亞瑪謝相見於戰場。 12猶大人敗在以色列人面前，各自逃回家裏去了。 13以色列王約阿施在伯‧示麥擒住亞哈謝的孫子、約阿施的兒子猶大王亞瑪謝，就來到耶路撒冷，拆毀耶路撒冷的城牆，從以法蓮門直到角門共四百肘， 14又將耶和華殿裏與王宮府庫裏所有的金銀和器皿都拿了去，並帶人去為質，就回撒馬利亞去了。
15 約阿施其餘所行的事和他的勇力，並與猶大王亞瑪謝爭戰的事，都寫在以色列諸王記上。 16約阿施與他列祖同睡，葬在撒馬利亞，以色列諸王的墳地裏。他兒子耶羅波安接續他作王。
猶大王亞瑪謝去世
（代下25‧25－28）
17 以色列王約哈斯的兒子約阿施死後，猶大王約阿施的兒子亞瑪謝又活了十五年。 18亞瑪謝其餘的事都寫在猶大列王記上。 19耶路撒冷有人背叛亞瑪謝，他就逃到拉吉；叛黨卻打發人到拉吉將他殺了。 20人就用馬將他的屍首馱到耶路撒冷，葬在大衛城他列祖的墳地裏。 21猶大眾民立亞瑪謝的兒子亞撒利雅接續他父作王，那時他年十六歲。 22亞瑪謝與他列祖同睡之後，亞撒利雅收回以拉他仍歸猶大，又重新修理。
以色列王耶羅波安二世
23 猶大王約阿施的兒子亞瑪謝十五年，以色列王約阿施的兒子耶羅波安在撒馬利亞登基，作王四十一年。 24他行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，不離開尼八的兒子耶羅波安使以色列人陷在罪裏的一切罪。 25他收回以色列邊界之地，從哈馬口直到亞拉巴海，正如耶和華－以色列的神藉他僕人迦特希弗人亞米太的兒子先知約拿所說的。 26因為耶和華看見以色列人甚是艱苦，無論困住的、自由的都沒有了，也無人幫助以色列人。 27耶和華並沒有說要將以色列的名從天下塗抹，乃藉約阿施的兒子耶羅波安拯救他們。
28 耶羅波安其餘的事，凡他所行的和他的勇力，他怎樣爭戰，怎樣收回大馬士革和先前屬猶大的哈馬歸以色列，都寫在以色列諸王記上。 29耶羅波安與他列祖以色列諸王同睡。他兒子撒迦利雅接續他作王。
各位弟兄姊妹，平安！
我們今天繼續來看猶大王亞瑪謝的故事。《列王記》中的記載從第三節就提到，亞瑪謝「行耶和華眼中看為正的事，但不如他祖大衛」。然而，當我們參照《歷代志下》25章時，我們會看到一個更完整且深入的記錄，讓我們對亞瑪謝的統治有更清楚的了解。
歷代志下25: 2亞瑪謝行耶和華眼中看為正的事，只是心不專誠。 然後在十四節更記載了亞瑪謝把西珥的神像帶回來，當作自己的神，在他面前叩拜燒香。結果惹動上帝差派先知來警告他，但是他卻驕傲不聽勸告，種下了他敗亡的種子。
接下來，亞瑪謝在鹽谷擊殺了一萬名以東人，取得了一場大勝仗。這讓他一時之間覺得自己英雄無敵、不可一世。於是，亞瑪謝派遣使者去見耶戶的孫子，以色列王約阿施，挑戰他在戰場上一決高下。
然而，以色列王約阿施並不想與他交戰，便差遣使者回覆亞瑪謝，勸他說：「你不要以為打敗了以東人就自高自大。」（換句話說就是：本王今天心情不錯，饒你一命，不要來找打了）約阿施本意是想勸退亞瑪謝，避免這場不必要的戰爭。然而，亞瑪謝卻不聽勸告，執意要與以色列交戰。
結果，亞瑪謝遭遇慘敗，不僅輸掉了戰爭，耶路撒冷的聖殿金銀和器皿都被掠奪一空，連耶路撒冷的城牆也被拆毀。在當時，拆毀城牆不僅是軍事上的損失，更是象徵著極大的羞辱，代表未來若有敵人來攻打，城市將失去防衛的能力。這場戰爭的結局不僅打擊了亞瑪謝的聲望，也對猶大國的安全和尊嚴造成了重大的傷害。
確實，我們周圍可能曾經見過一些非常不錯的基督徒，他們可能非常熱心事奉，也在教會中盡心盡力。然而，一旦他們看到成功，或者因為自己的努力帶來了顯著的成果，驕傲就開始在心中滋長，進而偏離了起初的謙卑之心。
這種情況不僅僅會發生在一般信徒身上，也有可能發生在牧師或屬靈領袖身上。當人開始把榮耀歸於自己，而不是歸於上帝時，他們就會陷入驕傲的陷阱。
因此，我們應當時刻保持警醒，謹記我們所做的一切都是上帝的作為，我們只是祂手中的工具和器皿。「一切榮耀歸於上帝」這句話不應該只是口號，而應該是我們真誠的信仰態度，時時謙卑地站立在上帝面前，承認祂才是工作的主宰，祂才是成果的源頭。
這種謙卑讓我們不會因為成功而自誇，而是把榮耀歸給上帝，知道我們無法靠自己完成任何事，唯有在祂的帶領下，我們才能有所成就。
這裡提到的以色列王耶羅波安二世，雖然他在屬靈上並不算是一個好王，因為經文明確提到他「行耶和華眼中看為惡的事」，仍然敬拜金牛犢。然而，上帝在這段期間仍然幫助了以色列人。經文提到，上帝看見以色列的困苦，並不願拋棄他們，因此選擇在這時候拯救他們。
這意味著，儘管耶羅波安二世並非一位敬畏上帝的君王，但上帝因祂自己的旨意，依然選擇拯救以色列人，讓他們在這段期間達到一個國力的高峰，國家變得非常強盛和繁榮。
同一時期，猶大國的烏西雅王卻是一位尋求上帝的君王。《歷代志下》第26章記載了這段時間，提到烏西雅敬畏上帝，並且上帝使猶大國也非常強盛和繁榮。當時的猶大百姓甚至認為，國家可能會回到大衛王時期那樣的鼎盛時期，因為在烏西雅的治理下，猶大國無論在軍事、經濟還是國力上，都取得了很大的成就。
這段歷史讓我們看到，上帝的恩典和拯救，不取決於人的行為，而是基於祂的旨意和憐憫。同時，也提醒我們，即使國家或領袖表面上看似強盛，如果不真正以上帝為中心，繁榮也可能是短暫的。
驕傲的王害的國家陷入危難之中，我們的驕傲也會引導我們進到危險之中。明天我們繼續研究第十五章的故事。感謝各位的聆聽。
Amaziah King of Judah
In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
After the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king. Yet he did not put the children of the assassins to death, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses where the Lord commanded: “Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.”
He was the one who defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela in battle, calling it Joktheel, the name it has to this day.
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: “Come, let us face each other in battle.”
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle underfoot. You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”
Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home. Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section about four hundred cubits long. He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace. He also took hostages and returned to Samaria.
As for the other events of the reign of Jehoash, what he did and his achievements, including his war against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? Jehoash rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And Jeroboam his son succeeded him as king.
Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah lived for fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel. As for the other events of Amaziah’s reign, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
They conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there. He was brought back by horse and was buried in Jerusalem with his ancestors, in the City of David.
Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his ancestors.
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Jeroboam II King of Israel
In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit. He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.
The Lord had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.
As for the other events of Jeroboam’s reign, all he did, and his military achievements, including how he recovered for Israel both Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? Jeroboam rested with his ancestors, the kings of Israel. And Zechariah his son succeeded him as king.
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you!
Today, we continue with the story of King Amaziah of Judah. In the account of 2 Kings, we read in verse 3 that "Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his ancestor David had done." However, when we refer to 2 Chronicles 25, we see a more complete and detailed record that gives us a clearer understanding of Amaziah’s reign.
In 2 Chronicles 25:2, it states that "Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly." In verse 14, it further records that Amaziah brought back the gods of Seir and worshiped them, bowing down and offering incense before them. This angered God, and He sent a prophet to warn Amaziah, but in his pride, Amaziah refused to listen. This planted the seed of his downfall.
Next, Amaziah defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, securing a great victory. This led him to feel invincible and prideful. He then sent messengers to Jehoash, the grandson of Jehu and king of Israel, challenging him to a battle.
However, King Jehoash of Israel did not wish to fight and sent messengers back to Amaziah, advising him, "Don’t be arrogant just because you defeated Edom." (In other words: "I’m in a good mood today, I’ll spare you—don’t come asking for trouble.") Jehoash’s intent was to dissuade Amaziah from pursuing an unnecessary war. Yet, Amaziah, in his pride, refused to listen and insisted on going to battle with Israel.
The result was a devastating defeat for Amaziah. Not only did he lose the battle, but the treasures of the temple in Jerusalem, along with all the gold, silver, and sacred articles, were plundered. Even the walls of Jerusalem were torn down. At that time, the destruction of city walls not only weakened military defenses but also symbolized great humiliation. It left the city vulnerable to future attacks. The defeat not only damaged Amaziah’s reputation but also greatly harmed the security and dignity of Judah.
Indeed, we may have seen many devoted Christians around us—people who are zealous in their service and wholeheartedly work for the church. However, once they taste success or see the fruits of their efforts, pride can slowly take root, causing them to stray from their initial humility.
This scenario doesn’t only happen to ordinary believers but can also affect pastors and spiritual leaders. When people begin to attribute the glory to themselves rather than to God, they fall into the trap of pride.
Thus, we must always remain vigilant and remember that everything we accomplish is by God's doing. We are merely His tools and vessels. "All glory to God" should not be just a slogan, but a sincere attitude of faith, humbly acknowledging that God is the true source of all achievements, and that without Him, we can do nothing.
This humility keeps us from boasting in our successes and ensures that all glory is directed to God, understanding that our own strength is insufficient and that it is only by His guidance that we are able to achieve anything.
Regarding Jeroboam II, the king of Israel, although he was not a spiritually righteous king—scripture clearly states that "he did evil in the eyes of the Lord" and continued to worship the golden calves—God still helped the Israelites during his reign. The Bible notes that God saw Israel’s suffering and, out of His compassion, chose to save them at that time.
This shows that even though Jeroboam II was not a king who feared the Lord, God, according to His own will, chose to save Israel and allowed them to reach a period of national strength and prosperity.
During the same period, King Uzziah of Judah was a king who sought the Lord. 2 Chronicles 26 records this time and mentions that Uzziah feared God, and as a result, God made Judah strong and prosperous. At that time, the people of Judah even believed that the nation might return to the strength of David’s reign because, under Uzziah’s leadership, Judah achieved great success in both military and economic power.
This history teaches us that God’s grace and salvation are not based on human actions but on His will and mercy. It also serves as a reminder that even if a nation or its leaders appear strong on the surface, if they do not truly center themselves on God, that prosperity may be fleeting.
Prideful kings led their nations into trouble, and our own pride can lead us into danger as well. Tomorrow, we will continue our study with the story from chapter 15. Thank you all for listening.
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