8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash , the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu , king of Israel , saying , " Come , let us face e each other." 9 Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah , saying , " The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon , saying , 'Give your daughter to my son in marriage .' But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon , and trampled the thorn bush . 10 " You have indeed defeated Edom , and your heart has become proud . Enjoy your glory and stay at home ; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall , and Judah with you?" 11 But Amaziah would not listen . So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced e each other at Beth-shemesh , which belongs to Judah . 12 Judah was defeated by Israel , and they fled each to his tent . 13 Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah , the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah , at Beth-shemesh , and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate , 400 e cubits . 14 He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of the Lord , and in the treasuries of the king's house , the hostages also, and returned to Samaria .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 14:8-14
Commentary on 2 Kings 14:8-14
(Read 2 Kings 14:8-14)
For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa's time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance made with them. Now we meet with hostility between them again. How may a humble man smile to hear two proud and scornful men set their wits on work, to vilify and undervalue one another! Unholy success excites pride; pride excites contentions. The effects of pride in others, are insufferable to those who are proud themselves. These are the sources of trouble and sin in private life; but when they arise between princes, they become the misery of their whole kingdoms. Jehoash shows Amaziah the folly of his challenge; Thine heart has lifted thee up. The root of all sin is in the heart, thence it flows. It is not Providence, the event, the occasion, whatever it is, that makes men proud, secure, discontented, or the like, but their own hearts do it.