2 Kings 14

Amaziah, the son of Joash of Judah, reigned for twenty-nine years. He did what was right, at least in part, “... yet not like David his father.” This brief statement reminds us how far the nation and her kings had fallen in the 200 years since the Lord chose David to be king over Israel and Judah. David, with all his faults, was a man of God's choosing, devoted to the Lord in worship and life. David was zealous for the God of Israel. Others, like Amaziah, might avoid some of the worst excesses of truly evil kings, yet they could not be rightly compared to David.

Amaziah showed some concern for justice, yet he became entangled in war with Israel in the north by provoking the king of Israel. Judah was defeated in the conflict that ensued, which meant a loss in security and treasure for the one who sat on David's throne. Amaziah was eventually put to death through a conspiracy that arose against him. His son Azariah, also known as Uzziah, reigned in his place.

Meanwhile, though the northern tribes experienced something of a resurgence in prominence at this time, the Lord's appointed time for Israel's discipline would soon come. The great-grandson of Jehu, Jeroboam II, would reign for forty-one years, but the prosperity that the nation experienced during these decades would not be able to save them from the force of the Assyrian empire in 722 BC.

Despite the evil of the Israelites in the north and the unfaithfulness of their rulers, God had made promises to His people that He intended to keep. “For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam....”

Israel would soon go away as a place of political, economic, and military power. Yet during the reign of Jeroboam II the Lord would aid His people in the north. It was the Lord's merciful plan to save them from the hand of their enemies, at least for a time.

These were not the best days in the history of Israel and Judah. The mercies that they were experiencing were only for a season. The fundamental need for a righteous ruler and an obedient nation had not been met by the people who lived their lives in the eighth century before the coming of the Christ.

The mercies that God did show to them were a testimony to a larger purpose that would extend far beyond the lives of those who lived in the promised land at that time. A Son of David who was more than worthy of the name “David” would eventually be born. He would obey the Lord's commandments, and lead His people in love by dying for their sins. This Messiah is the true David. His kingdom will never end.