2 Chronicles 25: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Chronicles 25 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

2 Chronicles chapter 25 tells the story of Amaziah, the king of Judah, who begins his reign by executing the officials who murdered his father, Joash. He then demonstrates his ambition by organizing an army and hiring mercenaries from Israel. However, a prophet warns him that the Lord is not with Israel, prompting Amaziah to dismiss the hired troops.

Key verse

“A man of God came to him, saying, “O king, don’t let the army of Israel go with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel, with all the children of Ephraim.”
2 Chronicles 25:7 (WEB)

Outline

2 Chronicles 25:1–4 Amaziah's Rise to Power
2 Chronicles 25:5–10 Preparation for Battle
2 Chronicles 25:11–14 Victory Over Edom
2 Chronicles 25:15–20 Prophet's Warning and Refusal
2 Chronicles 25:21–24 Defeat by Israel
2 Chronicles 25:25–28 Amaziah's Downfall

Discussion questions

In v2, what does it mean that Amaziah did right 'but not with a perfect heart'?
Why does Amaziah send the army from Israel home in v10?
Joash's warning in vv. 18-19: what does this fable suggest about Amaziah's ambitions?
In v20, what does it imply that Amaziah would not listen to the prophet's advice?
When has a win made you pick a fight you did not need?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Chronicles 25: 2 Kings 14, Ephesians 3, Deuteronomy 24.

Before next time: read 2 Chronicles 26.