In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.

2 KINGS 14:1KJV
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2 Kings 14:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 14:1 mean?

2 Kings 14:1 marks the beginning of Amaziah’s reign as king of Judah, stating that he began to rule in the second year of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, who was king of Israel. This verse sets the timeline and introduces Amaziah as the new ruler in the southern kingdom, Judah, while Joash was ruling in the northern kingdom, Israel.

This verse is part of the historical record in the book of Kings, which tracks the rulers of both Israel and Judah. The writer is giving a chronological marker, helping readers see how the reigns of different kings overlapped. By mentioning both Amaziah and Joash, the verse connects the stories of the two kingdoms and prepares the reader for the events that will follow in Amaziah’s reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 14:1

  • מָלַךְ (malakh, “reigned”): This verb indicates the formal beginning of Amaziah’s rule, not just his presence as a royal figure. It marks a new phase in Judah’s leadership.
  • שָׁנָה (shanah, “year”): The use of “second year” shows the careful tracking of time between the two kingdoms, emphasizing the importance of synchronizing their histories.
  • יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, “Judah”) and יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra’el, “Israel”): Naming both kingdoms highlights the divided state of God’s people at this point in history, with separate lines of kings.

Why 2 Kings 14:1 matters

  • This verse helps clear up confusion about the timeline of Israel and Judah’s kings by showing how their reigns overlapped, which is important for understanding the sequence of events in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
  • By introducing Amaziah in relation to Joash of Israel, the verse emphasizes the interconnectedness of the two kingdoms, even though they were politically separate.
  • The verse sets the stage for the coming chapters, where the actions and character of Amaziah will be explored, and how his reign fits into the larger story of Judah.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoahaz” Hebrew H3099 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:2 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

“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 15:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
  • 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.

“Joash” Hebrew H3101 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • 2 Kings 13:9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;