King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 25:16 Mean?

2 Chronicles 25:16 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; w...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel. determined: Heb. counselled”

2 Chronicles 25:16 · KJV

Context

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?

16

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel. determined: Heb. counselled

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.

18

And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. thistle: or, furze bush, or, thorn a wild: Heb. a beast of the field

Read 2 Chronicles 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

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 · 26 words
וַיְהִ֣י׀1 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּדַבְּר֣וֹ2 of 26

“And it came to pass as he talked”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלָ֗יו3 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙4 of 26

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙5 of 26
H0
יָעַ֤ץ6 of 26

“counsel”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙7 of 26

“of the king's”

H4428

a king

נְתַנּ֔וּךָ8 of 26

“unto him Art thou made”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וַיֶּחְדַּ֣ל9 of 26

“forbare”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

לְךָ֖10 of 26
H0
לָ֣מָּה11 of 26
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יַכּ֑וּךָ12 of 26

“why shouldest thou be smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וַיֶּחְדַּ֣ל13 of 26

“forbare”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

הַנָּבִ֗יא14 of 26

“Then the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙15 of 26

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יָדַ֗עְתִּי16 of 26

“I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי17 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָעַ֤ץ18 of 26

“counsel”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

אֱלֹהִים֙19 of 26

“that God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְהַשְׁחִיתֶ֔ךָ20 of 26

“to destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

כִּֽי21 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָשִׂ֣יתָ22 of 26

“thee because thou hast done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

זֹּ֔את23 of 26
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְלֹ֥א24 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ25 of 26

“this and hast not hearkened”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

לַֽעֲצָתִֽי׃26 of 26

“unto my counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

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 25:16 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 25:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 2:30Isaiah 46:10Romans 9:222 Chronicles 18:20-21Revelation 11:10Isaiah 30:10-11

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