But 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.

2 CHRONICLES 25:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 25:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 25:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 25:13 describes how the soldiers from Israel, whom King Amaziah of Judah had sent home instead of taking them to battle, attacked several towns in Judah on their way back, killing three thousand people and taking a large amount of loot. This verse shows the consequences of Amaziah’s earlier decision to dismiss these hired troops.

The setting is the time when King Amaziah of Judah hired soldiers from Israel to help him fight Edom, but then sent them back after a prophet warned him not to use them. The dismissed soldiers, angry at being excluded and losing out on potential rewards, retaliated by raiding Judah’s towns from Samaria to Bethhoron, causing much destruction and loss.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 25:13

  • "Soldiers" (בְּנֵי־הַחַיִל, b’nei-hachayil): This phrase means "sons of the army" or "valiant men," emphasizing that these were experienced fighters, not just ordinary people.
  • "Fell" (וַיִּפְשְׁטוּ, vayiphsh’tu): This word often means to rush upon or attack violently, highlighting the suddenness and aggression of their actions against the Judean cities.
  • "Spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal): This term refers to plunder or loot taken in war, underlining that the soldiers were motivated by the desire for material gain after being dismissed.

Why 2 Chronicles 25:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Amaziah’s decision to send the Israelite soldiers away had serious unintended consequences for his own people, showing the ripple effects of leadership choices.
  • The detail about the soldiers attacking "from Samaria even unto Bethhoron" helps readers see the geographical spread of the violence, making the event more concrete and tragic.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by explaining why there was internal strife in Judah at this time, setting the stage for later conflicts and highlighting the fragile relationship between Judah and Israel.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H961 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
  • Nehemiah 4:4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
  • Esther 9:16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

“Bethhoron” Hebrew H1032 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
  • Joshua 18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
  • 1 Kings 9:17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,

“army” Hebrew H1416 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 49:19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
  • 2 Kings 6:23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:10 Then 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.

“Amaziah” Hebrew H558 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 12:21 For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 15:1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:17 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.