King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 25:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 25:13 in the King James Version says “But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities o...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. the soldiers: Heb. the sons of the band”

2 Chronicles 25:13 · KJV

Context

11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

12

And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

13

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. the soldiers: Heb. the sons of the band

14

Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

15

Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

Read 2 Chronicles 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Half-hearted obedience and pride's consequences. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וּבְנֵ֣י1 of 22

“But the soldiers”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַגְּד֗וּד2 of 22

“of the army”

H1416

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵשִׁ֤יב4 of 22

“sent back”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙5 of 22

“which Amaziah”

H558

amatsjah, the name of four israelites

מִלֶּ֤כֶת6 of 22

“that they should not go”

H3212

to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)

עִמּוֹ֙7 of 22
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה8 of 22

“with him to battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וַֽיִּפְשְׁטוּ֙9 of 22

“fell”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

בְּעָרֵ֣י10 of 22

“upon the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֔ה11 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

מִשֹּֽׁמְר֖וֹן12 of 22

“from Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וְעַד13 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בֵּ֣ית14 of 22
H0
חוֹר֑וֹן15 of 22

“even unto Bethhoron”

H1032

beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine

וַיַּכּ֤וּ16 of 22

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֵהֶם֙17 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת18 of 22

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

אֲלָפִ֔ים19 of 22

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַיָּבֹ֖זּוּ20 of 22

“of them and took”

H962

to plunder

בִּזָּ֥ה21 of 22

“spoil”

H961

booty

רַבָּֽה׃22 of 22

“much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 25:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 25:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 8:51 Kings 16:291 Kings 9:171 Kings 16:24

Places in This Verse

Beth-horonSettlement · Modern: Beit Ur al Tahta · 31.89°N, 35.08°E7 verses across 4 books
Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 25 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 25 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes