KING AMAZIAH

2 CHRONICLES 25

Choose your battles carefully.Never offend the wrong person.

“Have we made you the King's counsellor? Cease!! Why should you be killed?”

Ancient kings would always bring back hostages and gold  from the countries that they had conquered.But Amaziah's souvenirs were unique- he brought back their gods. After defeating the Edomites,he subjected them to unbelievable cruelty. He took ten thousand captives and brought them to a high cliff and threw them all down, “so that they were all dashed to pieces” When a prophet cautioned him about his new religion, Amaziah threatened him with death too.

Amaziah then began provoking the King of Israel to war with his belligerence. But King Joash told the king to tone down, stay at home and celebrate his victory.But Amaziah was determined to meet Joash in war. In the ensuing battle, Joash decimated his army and ransacked all his treasures.

Having ruined the army, Amaziah returned home only to find that there was a political conspiracy against him. The problem with political conspiracies is that you just can't differentiate  friends and foes anymore.Silent enemies are everywhere.And they smile sweetly while hiding a dagger and bidding their time.Amaziah fled,but someone found him hiding in Lachish.And that was that. The last thing we are told about him is that they carried his corpse on horses and brought it back to Judah.

In a world which is increasingly  filled with stressful and sensitive people, it is the height of  stupidity to be ruffling anyones feathers or to be pushing someones buttons. Avoid all battles and do not offend the wrong person because forgiveness is not found in their vocabulary.There is no reversal of this law. Don't bother looking for one.As Amaziah found out.

It is my opinion the most fitting epithaph on Amaziah's tombstone  would be “ I SHOULD HAVE STAYED AT HOME.”

                                   "Provocation comes before swords." (Arabic proverb)