This verse reveals the greatest military success Amaziah had. He killed 10,000 men from Edom in the Valley of Salt. He also conquered Sela and renamed it Joktheel. While this success he had is described only in one verse, 2 Chronicles 25:5-13 filled up some details for us.
Second
Chronicles 25:5 said that Amaziah had a census and found that he had 300,000
choice men above the age of 20 years, capable of handling spear and shied and
were able to go to war. On top of these men, he also hired 100,000 men
from Israel for 100 talents of silver. But he was stopped by a man of God who
told him not to involve the men of Israel in the war, for God would not be with
those men. In other words, God only wanted the men of Judah to fight the
battle without the help of Israel. And if he heeded his instruction, God would
be with them in the battle. So Amaziah listened to the man of God and sent the
men of Israel back.
Second
Chronicles 25:11-12 then said that “Amaziah strengthened himself and led his
people …and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 of the sons
of Seir… captured 10,000 alive and brought them to the top of the cliff and
threw them down from the top of the cliff, so that they were all dashed to
pieces.” However what he did to the mercenary soldiers from Israel
incurred the wrath of those men. We are told that they “raided the cities of
Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon, and struck down 3,000 of them and plundered
much spoil.”
The man of God’s words to Amaziah suggest that it was foolish of him to enter into an alliance with people whom God would not approve of. God alone could provide all the assistance that he needed for the success that he was looking for. So he obeyed God, sent the mercenaries back, and experienced victory with God. This is the lesson that we can learn from Amaziah’s victory here. Obeying God may require that we cut loss. It is better that we cut loss than lose God and His help.
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