Amaziah

 

    Amaziah means "the strength of the Lord". Strengthened by Yahweh", or "Yahweh is mighty".  Amaziah in Hebrew is Ămaṣyāhū (אֲמַצְיָהוּ,).  In Greek it is Amasias (Αμασίας).  In Latin it is Amasias.  We got the name Amaziah in English by using the Latin, Greek, and Anglo-Saxon languages creating the Old English word in 400AD.  

    Amaziah was a popular name at one point in history.  In the Bible the most famous Amaziah was the ninth king of Judah.  He became king at 25 after his father Joash died.  He reigned 29 years.  He was considered a righteous king that followed the Mosaic law.  However, he did not give his whole heart to God like his ancestor, David.  He allowed pagan shrines to remain and did not stop his people from sacrificing to them.  

    Amaziah did lead his army and killed 10,000 Edomites and captured another 10,000 to throw off the top of a cliff to be torn apart by the rocks below.  He had hired some troops to help and when he sent them home, they pillaged several towns on the way killing 3,000 people and taking away a lot of wealth.

    Instead of giving God the glory for his victory, Amaziah chose to take the enemies idols and begin to worship them.  This made God angry.  He would not listen to God's prophet who tried to warn him of his foolish behavior.  

    Amaziah went on to challenge the King of Israel (Jehoash).  Jehoash tried to be reasonable, but Amaziah would not listen.  They drew their armies at the battle lines. It was an embarrassing defeat for Amaziah.  Amaziah was captured and taken to Jerusalem to see 600 ft of their wall destroyed and have his wealth carried off.  

    King Amaziah lived another 15 years after that humiliation.  He turned from God and his life along with his kingdom suffered for it.  He was finally assassinated and returned home to Jerusalem to be buried.  He chose pride, unwilling to listen, and independence over a relationship with God.  It cost him relationships, wealth, comfort, respect, and eventually his life.

2 Kings 14:1-4 & 2 Chronicles 25:11-27