This series of battles and contention overlaps in Chapters 11-13 or 14, as the following happens:
1)Solomon Dies
2)Rehoboam is raised to Power in Shechem
3)Rehoboam upon bad advice decides to increase taxes on Israel
4)Jeroboam, rebelling before (see Solomon & Jeroboam instead of being killed
or chastised is given a position in Solomon's Kingdom, where he curries favor and power and is readied for a future
rebellion, unknown to him or the King.
5)As Solomon dies, Jeroboam moves into a position of 'sedition' as Rehoboam angers the people.
6)Rehoboam is counseled by prophets not to put down the division of Jeroboam, as the 12 tribes move north. Though
Rehoboam is the oppressive King, his obedience to God may have prevented the complete destruction of Israel at that time
due to civil war: the division itself was so serious to God, that within a short time, both Kingdoms, Judah and Israel, the
south and the North were carried away captive by Assyria and Babylon. Assyria and Syria took Israel, the northern 10 tribes
captive in what appears to be an even more barbaric and cruel captivity, the allusion being towards the culpability of
Israel of Jeroboam having a)turned to idolatry and emulation of worship-'mocking God' for political expediency, and
and splitting from Judah and turning against her with foreign allies: the very ones who eventually turned on the Northern
Kingdom.
The Object of Jeroboam and the Members of the 10 Northern Tribes was to escape political oppression and create their own
rule: the cry is "What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now to see to thine own house, David..."
I Kings 12:16. They essentially in their carnality denied their part in the House of David, the line of Messiah: it would
take almost 100 years before a unified Israel in peace would return.
The Object of Rehoboam was to keep Israel unified,(vs21) bring down the rebellion, and keep funding the very expensive
political legacy of commerce and allies that Solomon had built up. He was unsuccessful, but obedient.
Strategies of the Battle
Rehoboam declares a harsh tribute (tax); he forsakes the sage counsel of the older advisors of Solomon, who advise
him to console and cooperate with the people of Israel entreating him for Mercy (I Kings 12: 3-4) and instead after 3 days of
advise, seeks to listen to his peers: younger, inexperience, and expressing their own will instead of experienced, weighed advice.
The younger advisors address threat to his machismo if he 'gives in' to the people. Rehoboam speaks reflected words, " My father made
your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips. but I will chastise you with scorpions. I Kings 12:14.
He forsook Mercy and benevolent rule which David and Solomon had held, and in the comfort of inherited riches sought corrupt power.
Jeroboam actually does not initiate the first rebellion: the people of the northern tribes do. Thus in 12:16, above, they
declare their abandonment of the house of David. The battle rises when Adoram is sent to collect the tribute, in 12:18.
He is stoned and killed, and the threat of battle begins.
Rehoboam flees upon Adoram's death to Jerusalem (vs 12:18) The rebellion of Israel is established.
Rehoboam assembles 180,000 warriors upon his return to Israel.
Place of the Battle
Rehoboam is made King in Shechem, the plea for mercy by the people is made there. (12:1)
The exact location of the Division is not clear: Adoram is sent to the 'Children of Israel' and the implication in
another passage is that it is either near but outside Jerusalem or in Jerusalem but at a distance as Rehoboam in the end
'flees to Jerusalem'.
Intelligence
Specific 'Intelligence' of what is going on is not made mention of and hardly necessary:
Rehoboam sends Adoram (Hadoram in II Chr 10:16-19) and is aware of his death. The division is declared openly.
Advice comes from elderly advisors from Solomon's in vs 7, " If thou wilt be a servant unto this people
this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever."
Rehoboam speaks these words offered by his young counterparts instead:
I Kings: 12:10: "Thus shalt thou speak uto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our
yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us: thus shalt thous say unto them, My little finger shall be
thicker than my father's loins."
Results of the Battle
Jeroboam is made King over the Northern Tribes (10) vs 12:20. All Israel follows except Judah (later Benjamin also)
Shemaiah the Prophet speaks : (Word of God) Ye shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children
of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me"
Rehoboam and the 180,000 return in obedience; No physical battle ensues.
The Kingdoms Divide
Reward
For Jeroboam, the Northern Kingdoms with a new 'capital city,' meant to emulate Jerusalem
Jeroboam sets up an emulation of the House of David: Calves in Bethel and Dan to emulate and represent
Jehovah 'their way';note "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land
of Egypt." vs 28.
Shechem is set up in Mt. Ephraim where Jeroboam dwells. vs 25
Penuel is built for the Northern reign.
Jeroboam makes a "house of high places" vs 31
Jeroboam appoints non-levitical priests of the "lowest of the people".
Jeroboam institutes own 'holy days' or feasts vserse 32
Jeroboam establishes his system of sacrifice instead of God's: wrong place, wrong sacrifice, wrong priests vs33-34
Spiritual Implications
Spiritual Implications are very clear in these passages:
Both Men, Rehoboam and Jeroboam both brought up in the reign of Solomon, sin: Rehoboam in oppressiveness and carnality,
and Jeroboam in division.
The Sin of Jeroboam will be seen as so severe and evil as to be remembered throughout history: division, setting up
an Emulation of God's entire plan in order to offer ritual and religion without obedience, idolatry, and the weakening of
Israel. All this eventually leads to defeat.
The Northern Kingdom proceeds with a line of Kings and Priests outside of the House of David and the Levites. They
also make allies of Syria and Assyria against God's true house: Judah, and everything is done man's way and not God's.
Judah prevails in obedience to the true God twice: 1)when Rehoboam chooses not to fight Jeroboam in direct reponse to the
Word of God; and 2)when Judah in Ahaz listens to the counsel/prophecy of Isaiah against the terrifying threats of Syria
and the northern Kingdoms. (see Assyrian Captivity
The False Worship system has historical implications even today as the Church decides its own paths and ways
and 'liturgies' completely outside the paths of God or any form of surrender and obedience.
Obedience, and being the true line of the Messiah, God-ordained result in favor towards the original Kingdom with
Judah as head in Jerusalem. Both north and south have a series of mostly bad kings with only 2 exceptions, but Judah prevails
the longest even against Israel because of these factors.
Implications for Faith
Obedience lessened an already widening division
An emulation of true worship is as evil as satanism and paganism.
God often sees Division as one of the greatest sins of all in His House: and His wrath against it is
often greater even than against sexual sin and murder! This was true even in cruel oppression: it is better
to implore God to topple tyranny and stand in order against tyranny than to participate in overthrow ---there
are extreme exceptions especially outside of God's House. Martyrs have died for centuries standing against evil,
but not executing and overthrowing governments. Rehoboam would have been within legal rights to have subdued
Jeroboam and brought the Kingdom back under Judah's reign, but instead he obeyed God to let God's way work though
it did not make sense at the time. The split led to bitter captivity and harm, but the Civil war would have been the end
of Israel and God's Plan.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
noteThe setting up of the calves is called a sin in verse 30 "and this thing became a sin" and parallels
This reflects Exodus 32:4 "These be thy gods oh Israel which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt"--an essential direct
quote. It is important to note that while many consider this archaic object worship, in both instances the golden calves
were 'representational' of the God they claimed delivered them: but it was against the direct command to have no graven images
of anything in heaven (Exodus 20, the 10 commandments). Rather than archaic, it is little different than religious icons
and imagery in many churches in which people claim that they are merely 'representational' such as statues of Mary, Jesus and the
Saints, pictures, icons etc, especially when acts of tribute and worship are directed towards them: this directly defies the
commands of God. (In the Old and New Testaments).
People: The 10 Northern Tribes excluding Judah and Benjamin
Object of the Battle
The object of all the battles, conflict and skirmishes between Rehoboam and Jeroboam can
be best summed up by verse I Kings 15:6: " And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life"
While in the initial confrontation where the northern tribes refuse the tax or tribute and Jeroboam is set up as King
is resolved or left unresolved without war, the division continues and causes contention in Israel and Judah for the
remaining time of the two Kings and the Kings to follow. Judah, weakened, eventually falls prey to Shishak , King of
Egypt who spoils the House of the Lord in Jerusalem. I Kings 14:25-31
Strategies of the Battle
The strategies and course of the battle are not easily laid out because of multiple issues over time.
Jeroboam reigns for 22 years in Israel, Rehoboam reigns for for 17 years. The Sin of Division and mass
idolatrous systems that Jeroboam set up are punished, and that punishment is prophesied. Because Rehoboam did
not fight the division of Jeroboam as God had instructed him not to, the wrath for the division fell on Jeroboam.
Abijah, Jeroboam's son fell sick, and Ahijah the prophet announces judgment on the house of Jeroboam, as the
death of his child, the fall of his kingdom, and wrath upon even the deaths in his house. Only one death is required
though, for God finds some good in Jeroboam. Rather than the battles and conflicts described per se, it is the
judgment and result of Jeroboam's judgment that takes place.
Place of the Battle
Ahijah prophesies the judgment of Jeroboam in Shiloh, interestingly, the first resting place of the Tabernacle.
.
Intelligence
The "intelligence" throughout the northern-southern Kingdom conflicts is mostly in the form of Prophecies. For
the most part, it appears that the North and South know what each are are doing.
Results of the Conflict
Rehoboam obeyed God when he was counseled to let the division alone because God was at work. Because of this,
even though Rehoboam is punished for his oppressiveness, Jeroboam and his family by far receive the blame and greatest
punishment for the division between Israel and Judah..
Reward
The idea of a reward is relative: Rehoboam keeps rule over Judah and Jerusalem, and for obedience receives less
punishment (see above).
Jeroboam gains a kingship and kingdom, but it is wrought with idolatry, false worship, and great personal tragedy
and chastisement for Jeroboam and his family, including the death of his young son not long after he ascends to the
throne of the rebellious tribes.
Spiritual Implications
One of the remarkable things about Rehoboam is that he obeyed God, even to the point of not fighting back further
than he did when Jeroboam took the 10 tribes north. When the word of the Lord comes to Rehoboam, even though he had been
too harsh in his youth on bad advice, he had learned one very important lesson from his father and grandfather, Solomon
and David: he obeyed God. When David and Solomon obeyed God they won all battles and conflicts. When they ceased to obey
God, Israel and their families and courts began to fracture. Rehoboam's loyalty and righteousness here, kept Judah, and while
during the period of division between the northern and southern kingdoms there were not many 'good' kings on either side,
Judah fared better, and the good kings obeyed the Lord, which 1)kept Judah longer from captivity and 2) resulted in horrible tragedy,
but less than the Northern tribes received at Assyria's hands.
Idolatry again in Jeroboam in the North was pronounced in the very false worship of the second major "Golden Calf" in Israel's history.
Both times it was used it was intended to "represent" God, the God of Israel, but God's wrath was against it. Secondly,
the Idolatry followed Rebellion.While most think that the reason that Israel went into captivity was Idolatry and we
tend to be ethnocentric and 'chrono-centric' in our thinking, believing it would never happen here, to us, the truth is that
idolatry was more essentially wrong because it was part of an emulation or a mockery of true worship, and idolatry was not the
only reason for captivity. The problem repeated throughout scripture, the Sin of great mention, is that Israel's heart had
turned away, it had become callous, cold, indifferent, cruel to the poor, weak and infirm, merchandising everything to do with
the LORD and His house, and creating a great, open corrupt 'ecumenism' which allowed everybody, everything, and every
religious system as long as most in Israel could remain comfortable. Hardheartedness led to idolatry and the discounting
of the things of God. God warned Israel throughout Isaiah, Hosea and other of the Prophets, that they had to be brought back,
whatever suffering it took, because they were His 'Bride'.
Implications for Faith
Character Issues that resulted in Safety for Judah: Loyalty, Adherence to God's true Ways, Obedience even when it
appalled man's 'rational' mind.
Character Issues that resulted in Division: Idolatry and the "Emulation" of Worship; Fickleness, Pride, Self-direction,
counting the things of God small. In Rehoboam's case, his youth, listening to wrong advice and hardening his heart against
his people for the sake of power led to the initial destruction.
In his lifetime, Rehoboam suffered division in Israel, but his end was not a bad one because he remained faithful in the
ways of God. Jeroboam, on the other hand, suffered greatly and had an ill end prophesied and lost a child, because of his
great sin of division. God take division, the sin of Korah in Exodus very seriously. Korah and his people were 'swallowed up'
and Miriam in her division with Moses over his wife, was punished severely for a season with leprosy. The sin is not
less today than then. Division can cause, Israel, a Church or Synagogue, and a Nation to fall.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
1Rehoboam: name means "he sets at liberty" (a paradox). He reigned seventeen years ( B.C. 975-958). Rehoboam
was the son of an Ammonite Princess, one of the countless wives of Solomon married to promote alliances to presumably keep
Israel safe, instead results in wrong adherence to wrong counsel, the younger set raised in the palace. It leads instead to the
split in Israel.
2 Jeroboam: name means "he that opposes his people."[BLB]
He had been raised in or around the palace also, the son of a servant of Solomon. Jeroboam does not adhere to his father's deep
faith but more to his "ecumenism" to please his wives, and sets up an emulation kingdom and system of worship.
Leaders: King Asa : son of Abijam, Grandson of Rehoboam; Greatgrandson of Solomon, Reigns 41 years over Judah.
Children/Army of Judah:
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Leader: Baasha: Illegitimate king, takes throne by murdering Nadab, son of Jeroboam. Tribe of Issachar King of Israel.
People: Ten Northern Tribes
Object of the Battle
Abijam reigns in Judah after Rehoboam, but still during the reign of Jeroboam. Like fathers and sons, just
as Rehoboam has war with Jeroboam "all the days of his life (15:6), so does Abijam. Abijam is not a 'good' king, but
is described as walking the ways of his fathers, but having been given mercy for David's name sake. Abijam dies and
his son Asa, described as one of the 'good' kings, takes reign, and again, suffers contention with Jeroboam, taking reign
in Jeroboam's 20th year. (Vs. 15:9).
In the second year of Asa, Jeroboam dies, leaving Nadab, his son to rule. Nadab rules only a very short time, before
Baasha, from the tribe of Issachar, murders him and subsequently the rest of Jeroboam's household in Gibbethon (vs15: 27); leaving Asa to contend with Baasha, a murderous illegitimate heir to an
illegitimate throne. [note that the curse against Jeroboam's house for division in Israel continues.}
Scripture notes:
I Kings 15:16 "And there was war between Asa and Baasha, King of Israel, all their days."
The wars and battles between divided Israel had been going on for years. The major contention between Baasha
and Asa, is that Baasha took over and built up the city of Ramah, which is a formidable border to the north of Jerusalem.
and forbid travel, and presumably merchandise and traffic to go into or come out of Judah.
I Kings 15:17
"And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah"
Another issue in "Object of the Battle" is that Asa was one of the few Kings of either Israel or Judah who sold out
to God. He removed the high places in Israel, removed the sodomites, and even the idols of his father and mother, including
burning his mother's idol and removing her from being Queen. Baasha continues in the idolatry of the Northern Kingdoms.
(note: this is a possibility and not explicitly stated, but by building Ramah, and blocking traffic, Baasha could logically
have been threatening a takeover of Judah.
Object: to fortify and free borders of Judah; to put down the threat of Baasha and the northern kingdoms.
Strategies of the Battle
Baasha builds Ramah and blocks traffic to and from Judah
Asa goes to an allie of Baasha, Benhadad the King of Syria in Damascus. (vs. 15:18). He takes gift offerings
from the
"silver and gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house.
In vs 19, Asa requests that the league between Baasha and Benhadad be broken; He reminds him that he also has
a league with Judah, and with his fathers.
Benhadad, at Asa's bidding sends the Captains of the Host against Baasha to take Israel and free Judah from
their oppression.
Benhadad fights against the cities of Israel, Asa and his men plunder Ramah when Baasha flees.
Place of the Battle
Initial: Benhadad wars against Israel in Ijon, Dan and Abelbethmaachah, as well as Cinneroth, and "all the land
of Naphtali". vs 20. When he wars against Ramah, Baasha flees to Tirzah. where he reigns for the next 24 years, until
a prophecy is rendered against him to make his house as he made Jeroboam's.
Intelligence
None specifically mentioned: they appear to all have knowledge of what each other is doing.
Results of the Battle
Judah under Asa and Benhadad of Syria take Ramah; Baasha flees to Tirzah.
The building materials of Baasha in Ramah are taken as spoil and used to build up Geba of Benjamin
and Mizpah in Judah.
Victory for Judah
Reward
Baasha is put down.
Ramah is disengaged as a blockade.
Spoils include the building materials of Ramah, redirected to building Judah.
"and they took away the stones of Ramah and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded" vs 22.
Spiritual Implications
One of the greatest spiritual implications is that the murderous Baasha, who becomes a threat to his own people
and to Israel, reaps the exact reward he renders Jeroboam's household: he wipes them out and at the end of a 24 year reign,
he is wiped out too. Why God sometimes allows a long season before rendering justice is one of the hardest issues a believer
has to deal with: God's timing is a mystery that both breaks and establishes faith. The justice against Baasha in the short term
is par for par: he loses the city he was building to defeat Judah, and the 'building blocks' go instead to establish Judah.
His murder though, is not punished for 24 years: but in God's perfect timing, it is punished perfectly. (See I Kings 16:2).
Asa is determined a "good" King largely because of his purification of the land by ridding it of 'sodomites' (homosexuals
and other perversions) and by taking down the high places and idols which had gained entrance in the reign of Soloman
with the intermarriage of many wives from many nations and religions, which had the effect of fracturing the very foundation
of Israel which Solomon sought through the alliances. But conversely, he is questionable in taking treasures from the house
of God to bribe the allegiance of the King of Syria, Benhadad. If it had only been from the treasures of the King's house, it
might have been lesser. While it was for the protection of anointed Judah who had stayed loyal and hence the Temple, it
was still a bribe-gift and begins to show even in the reign of a good King, the disintegration of respect and esteem for the
things of God.
Implications for Faith
Loyalty and hedging division are always upheld in scripture as blessed and strong character traits.
The blockading of God's work will eventually fail: if one tries to stop someone anointed and appointed to the work
of the LORD, through, for example emulation (copying or imitating the work), or stealing the work, or even outright
hindering or stopping of the work, the eventual outcome will be division, chaos, trouble for the person stopping the
work, and overthrow, with the anointed very possibly gaining the spoil to continue the work of God. This happens often
today, as large ministries lose focus on doing things God's way.
Quench not the Holy Spirit.
Wrongful alliances with the world starting back in David and mostly Solomon's time, had consequences generations later
and provided the seeds both of the Division of Israel and of the Captivity of Babylon and Assyria. Idolatry, Emulating true
worship, hard heartedness and division caused Israel to go into captivity. (See Sins of Israel)
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
1Asa means "physician" {OB); Baasha means boldness. Ramah, the City Baasha sought to build to thwart Judah,
was where Deborah reigned (Judges 4:5;); where captives were taken in Jer.40:1, and where a remnant of the return came.Ez.2:26
It is celebrated as the place of Rachel's tomb, and was where Samuel abode. I Sam 7:15. Mizpah (watchtower) is the place
Jacob and Laban make their departing covenant, and where Jephthah lived. Asa uses the materials of spoil to build Mizpah
and later, a remnant of exile returns here.
There is contention and a 'dare between Amaziah and Jehoash- a continuation of contentions between the North and the South.
Jehoash acknowledges that Amaziah and Judah have "smitten Edom"(II Kg 14`10)& 14:7, but he compares
Amaziah to a trifling thistle when Amaziah requests his daughter for marriage to his son.(14:9).
In a veiled threat (a wild beast that treads down a thistle), he suggests that Amaziah is far less
than he is and that Judah will fall. (14:10)
The Kings Meet: II Kings 14:11, in Bethshemesh to 'face off' in a battle in which Jehoash makes good
his threat to harm Judah and
"Judah was put to the worse before Israel;
and they fled every man to their their tents."
.
Strategies of the Battle
Judah takes Edom and then tries to negotiate a peace with Israel and Jehoash
by a marriage agreement between children.
Jehoash and Israel refuse the agreement, citing Judah's weakness before Israel.
Jehoash sends a warning to Amaziah 14:10, not to "meddle to thy hurt" and fall.
The Kings meet and "look one another in the face at Bethshemesh" in Judah.
The strategies here are primarily first negotiation, and diplomacy, and then
war in a 'winner take all' when 'negotiations' and an alliance is outright refused.
Place of the Battle
Bethshemesh of Judah: Where Amaziah and Jehoash meet, near the border near Dan.
The battle/confrontation continues to Jerusalem, where the wall is paritally broken.
"And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits. " 2 Kings 14:13
Intelligence
None directly mentioned: a direct confrontation between Kings leads to a frontal battle
in Judah
Results of the Battle
Judah and Amaziah are defeated at Bethshemesh by Amaziah and Israel.
Jehoash and Israel continue to Jerusalem and break the wall down between
the gates of Ephraim and the corner Gate. 2 Kings 14:13. (400 cubits or @600ft.).
Takes spoil from the house of the Lord and the Kings House.
Jehoash returns with victory and spoil to Samaria.
After this battle, Jehoash dies and is succeed in Israel by Jeroboam II (not the original divider)
And Amaziah dies 15 years later, assasinated after a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem
, and is succeed by 16 year old Azariah.
Reward & Spoil
Victory for the Northern Kingdom and Jehoash.
From the House of the Lord in Jerusalem: Gold and Silver, all the vessels. 14:14.
From the King's House: Treasures and hostages.
Spiritual Implications
National Hubris had become so great in Israel and Judah, that after victories against the border states such
as Edom, they finally turn once again on each other. Judah, having always been slightly more obedience than Israel
at first seeks an alliance by marriage: since David and Solomon this had been an easy way of subduing Kingdoms and creating
worldly allies.
The alliance is refused with the insinuation that that Amaziah's son is not good enough for Jehoash's daughter,
and that Judah is overly puffed up in their confidence in their own strength having just taken Edom. Jehoash promises
to crush Judah, which he does, on Judaen territory (Bethshemesh) and then breaks down the wall of Jerusalem and robs
the treasures of The Kings House and God's house. This is
1) a show of the terrible rebellious power of the Northern
Kingdom that has no regard for
a)correct headship of Judah,
b)the sin of division or
c)the Holiness of the things of
the Lord, and
2)it shows the power that idolatry and emulation has had over the northern tribes: they not only provided
a replacement and imitation of true worship and right relationship of God, they are now willing and eager to overthrow
it, ransacking the house of God for worldly riches. They become the enemy of Judah and themselves: what Child of Israel
would ever break down the wall of Jerusalem and spoil the house of God? It is inconceivable.
Implications for Faith
There are two major lines of implication here: the first is the terrible consequence of rebuking correct headship
and obedience concilliatory efforts , and the Second is the awesome power, although demonic that false religion can
exercise against true worship: both are critical lessons for the believer. When we not only do not go along with
correct authority in God's will which is seeking in righteousness to get rid of division, then the consequence can
be one of our own spoiling. Even though Jehoash wins this horrible victory against Judah, he dies immediately after:
his sin is great. It also increases the "sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat" in continuing the division that leads to the
detruction of Judah and the Northern Kingdoms. The second is that when we walk away from the LORD into either false
or perfunctory worship or idolatry in which things other than God's right way become forefront, we may have a 'power'
for a time even against those which are true, but that destructive power is not of God. Jehoash had enough power
to detroy the wall and temple of Jerusalem and win against the true line of Kings, but only for a season and not completely.
In the end Jehoash dies, and Judah still maintains headship. Worldly religion even in the Evangelical and Fundamental
Christian Church can look like the things and people of God, but do things the world's way, beating down righteous opponents
to maintain the status quo of Christianity conducted like a corporate business instead of a Holy Spirit filled body.
All of us have seen nominal Christian institutions err in the direction of destroying reputations for gain, taking the
'spoil' of Holy Spirit-filled work in order to merchandise, and deciding ethics the way the World and not the Word does.
THEY CAN Prevail, but not forever, eventually the truth will be uncovered. But in the meantime, they promote idolatry,
division, the weakening of faith and the eroding of the Gospel's effect in a generation: in Revelation it is mentioned
as the thing that brings down the House of God and turns a form of it into a 'harlot'. They spoil the house of God and
its treasures and break down the protective wall of real Christianity, harming us all: we can agree not to participate
in it.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
The Name Amaziah means: the strength of the Lord. He is the 8th King of Judah in the Division, his son Azariah follows.
From Blue Letter Bible Commentaries: "He began his reign by punishing the murderers of his father ( 5-7; 2Ch 25:3-5). He was the first to employ a mercenary army of 100,000 Israelite soldiers, which he did in his attempt to bring the Edomites again under the yoke of Judah ( 2Ch 25:5,6). He was commanded by a prophet of the Lord to send back the mercenaries, which he did ( 2Ch 25:7-10,13), much to their annoyance.
His obedience to this command was followed by a decisive victory over the Edomites ( 2Ch 25:14-16)."
The Name Jehoash means: the fire of Jehovah. He was the infant saved by his aunt in the massacre of Jeroboam's family and he
is the son of the King Jehoahaz 2 Kings 14:1. He does have the devotion to Elisha, the prophet of
God, though and cries the same, "My Father my Father" at the end of his life. . A remarkable thing about
these two kings in contention is they are 2 of the three not mentioned in any genealogy of Jesus.[BLB Commentary]
Leaders: King Ahaz of Judah, 20 years old, Son of Jotham, Grandson of Uzziah;
Children/Army of Judah:
The Enemy's People & Leaders
Leader: King Pekah of Ephraim/Samaria, son of Remaliah,
King Rezin of Damascus in Syria.
People: Ten Northern Tribes & Syrian Army
Object of the Battle
Rezin, King of syria and King Pekah of Israel come to Jerusalem to war against Ahaz without success.
The Object is to instill fear in and destroy and take Judah.
Strategies of the Battle
Rezin and Pekah, Syria and Israel-Northern Kingdoms, ally against Judah
Isaiah instructs Ahaz to be quiet and have no fear (Isaiah 7:4).
Ahaz told the conspiracy for war against him will not stand (Is 4:7) in 7:9 told to
believe or not be established.
The LORD sets up the adversaries of Rezin and joins his enemies against him: Syrians before and Philistines behind.
(Isaiah 9:11).
LORD allows Ahaz to ask for a sign confirmation of the requested trust of Isaiah's prophecy: Ahaz refuses 'tempting'
God, although, this angers God in this case because he required it of Ahaz. God gives the sign to come of Immanuel, God
With Us, first in the son to come and secondly in Messiah. (vs 7:11-12)
Enemies of Judah prophesied to be gone before the prophesied child reaches the age of accountability.. (Isaiah 7:16, 8:4).
Place of the Battle
Battle of Rezin/Pekah vs Ahaz is at Jerusalem
Isaiah meets Ahaz at "conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field"
Intelligence
House of David told of Syrian Confederacy with Ephraim, which terrifies and disheartens Judah.
"And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim.
And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind." vs 7:2
Isaiah and son, Shearjashub sent to bolster demoralized Judah/Ahaz, in fear because of rumors of Conspiracy
Outcome of the Battle
Rezin of Syria recovers Elath to Syria and drives the Jews from there.
Syrians also come to Elath
Israel devoured, Judah safe for the time.
Reward
The recovery of Elath
The capture of Jewish Slaves by Syria, later.
Spiritual Implications
The contention here heralds the one great thing that Ahaz does in Judah: he trusts God. Ahaz is not a great
character in the annals of Judah's Kings though: II Kings states,
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
.
Also, Ahaz is only 20 years old when Syria and Israel threatens Judah with great brutality. He is demoralized, but he listens
to and trusts the prophecy of Isaiah: the prophecies come true. Within a short time Judah is safe and Israel is brutalized
because of its division, false loyalties, assaults on Judah, and alliances with a false nation. Ahaz was young and imperfect:
he 'won' only because he allowed God to lead through the Prophet Isaiah. Much that he did did not speak to a great faith,
but in this one act, he shows great faith and trust: one of the greatest in Israel because he trusts God with the fate of
Israel and the birth of a son who is a type and shadow of the Promised Son to come. The effects of this trust last centuries
and have an eternal consequence.
Just as Ahaz's adherence and surrender to God's prophet ends in victory for Judah against 2 allied nations,
Israel's disloyalty and false alliance, characteristic of her behavior during this time turns the brutal nation of Syria
back on her. Israel, the Northern Kingdoms, falls to captivity and defeat by trusting worldly strengths at all costs.
Implications for Faith
The Implications for faith are pretty clear here: surrender and obedience, even in the most difficult and important
situations can be ONLY what will win. It must have been terribly difficult for a 20 year old inexperienced King to trust
God and his prophet, but he did. We often trust God in the small things of life, but in the large things like vocation,
trials, or money, we make decisions in the same way the world does. This is the truest test of faith: we are afraid if
we do it God's way we will not 'win' or have the desired outcome. Complete trust does not always make sense in the natural,
it often required great faith in the 'unseen' God. Ahaz though not terribly loyal otherwise, buys time and security for Judah
until the unfaithfulness of him and others in Judah causes Judah too, to fall to Babylon.
Mentioned before, a form of religion, a false religion, or weak religion has no effect other than to defeat the believer
and cause dissension. Trust is not ritual. Relationship is not rote practice.
The promise of the son, is characteristic of the twin "mountain peaks" of prophecy: the immediate prophecy is fulfilled
in a short time, in the generation of Isaiah, the Great Promise of the Son of God, Immanuel, God-With-Us is promised even more
fully, also in a greater deliverance of Israel.
Cross-references & Other Critical Facts
Pekah means "State of liberty, he that opens".
[BLB] In Pekah's reign, the captivity begins:
He is slain afterwards by Hoshea.
Ahaz: "One that takes or possesses"
[BLB] Ahaz perverts the right ways of
God throughout most of his reign, so much that he does not receive a royal burial. His son Hezekiah rules in his place.
He reigns young and dies young: 16 at the start and 35 at death: he was the grandson of Jonathan. While in this battle
he saves Judah by obedience to God, he later also makes a false alliance causing great harm to the Kingdom.
These men are contemporaries of Isaiah, Micah and Hosea.
Elath, which is recovered, was once in the land of Esau, on the plain near Mt. Seir. In Deuteronomy the children
of Israel were cautioned to take none of the land there which had been given to Esau. Deut 2.
1Notes and Research by E. Best footnotes and
references available upon request. noteTopical Index, The Open
Bible, King James Version
note: Bible text and study tools:
Crosswalk.com, Blueletterbible.com
I Kings 15:17
"And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah"