141 In the second year of Joash, son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah, the son of Joash, became king of Judah. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king; and he was ruling in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years; his mother's name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. 3 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, though not like David his father; he did as Joash his father had done. 4 But still the high places were not taken away; the people went on making offerings and burning them in the high places. 5 Now when he became strong in the kingdom, straight away he put to death those servants who had taken the life of the king his father; 6 But he did not put their children to death; for the orders of the Lord recorded in the book of the law of Moses say, The fathers are not to be put to death for the children, or the children for their fathers; but a man is to be put to death for the sin which he himself has done. 7 He put to the sword twelve thousand men of Edom in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela in war, naming it Joktheel, as it is to this day.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 14:1-7
Commentary on 2 Kings 14:1-7
(Read 2 Kings 14:1-7)
Amaziah began well, but did not go on so. It is not enough to do that which our pious predecessors did, merely to keep up the common usage, but we must do it as they did, from the same principle of faith and devotion, and with the same sincerity and resolution.