2 Chronicles – Chapter 25

Old Testament28 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 25 of 2 Chronicles begins: "Amasias was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem, the name of his mother was…" The chapter centers on David and Moses. Across its 28 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Amasias was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem, the name of his mother was Joadan of Jerusalem.

2And he did what was good in the sight of the Lord: but yet not with a perfect heart.

3And when he saw himself strengthened in his kingdom, he put to death the servants that had slain the king his father.

4But he slew not their children, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying: The fathers shall not be slain for the children, nor the children for their fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.

5Amasias therefore gathered Juda together, and appointed them by families, and captains of thousands and of hundreds in all Juda, and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upwards, and found three hundred thousand young men that could go out to battle, and could hold the spear and shield.

6He hired also of Israel a hundred thousand valiant men, for a hundred talents of silver.

7But a man of God came to him, and said: O king, let not the army of Israel go out with thee, for the Lord is not with Israel, and all the children of Ephraim:

8And if thou think that battles consist in the strength of the army, God will make thee to be overcome by the enemies: for it belongeth to God both to help, and to put to flight.

9And Amasias said to the man of God: What will then become of the hundred talents which I have given to the soldiers of Israel? and the man of God answered him: The Lord is rich enough to be able to give thee much more than this.

10Then Amasias separated the army, that came to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: but they being much enraged against Juda, returned to their own country.

11And Amasias taking courage led forth his people, and went to the vale of saltpits, and slew of the children of Seir ten thousand.

12And other ten thousand men the sons of Juda took, and brought to the steep of a certain rock, and cast them down headlong from the top, and they all were broken to pieces.

13But that army which Amasias had sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, spread themselves among the cities of Juda, from Samaria to Beth-horon, and having killed three thousand took away much spoil.

14But Amasias after he had slain the Edomites, set up the gods of the children of Seir, which he had brought thence, to be his gods, and adored them, and burnt incense to them.

15Wherefore the Lord being angry against Amasias, sent a prophet to him, to say to him: Why hast thou adored gods that have not delivered their own people out of thy hand?

16And when he spoke these things, he answered him: Art thou the king's counsellor? be quiet, lest I kill thee. And the prophet departing, said: I know that God is minded to kill thee, because thou hast done this evil, and moreover hast not hearkened to my counsel.

17Then Amasias king of Juda taking very bad counsel, sent to Joas the son of Joachaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying: Come, let us see one another.

18But he sent back the messengers, saying: The thistle that is in Libanus, sent to the cedar in Libanus, saying: Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and behold the beasts that were in the wood of Libanus passed by and trod down the thistle.

19Thou hast said: I have overthrown Edom, and therefore thy heart is lifted up with pride: stay at home, why dost thou provoke evil against thee, that both thou shouldst fall and Juda with thee.

20Amasias would not hearken to him, because it was the Lord's will that he should be delivered into the hands of enemies, because of the gods of Edom.

21So Joas king of Israel went up, and they presented themselves to be seen by one another: and Amasias king of Juda was in Bethsames of Juda:

22And Juda fell before Israel, and they fled to their dwellings.

23And Joas king of Israel took Amasias king of Juda, the son of Joas, the son of Joachaz, in Bethsames, and brought him to Jerusalem: and broke down the walls thereof from the gate of Ephraim, to the gate of the corner, four hundred cubits.

24And he took all the gold, and silver, and all the vessels, that he found in the house of God, and with Obededom, and in the treasures of the king's house, moreover also the sons of the hostages, he brought back to Samaria.

25And Amasias the son of Joas king of Juda lived, after the death of Joas the son of Joachaz king of Israel, fifteen years.

26Now the rest of the acts of Amasias, the first and last, are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.

27And after he revolted from the Lord, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. And he fled into Lachis, and they sent, and killed him there.

28And they brought him back upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of David.

Important Verses in 2 Chronicles 25

And he did what was good in the sight of the Lord: but yet not with a perfect heart.

2 Chronicles 25:2

But a man of God came to him, and said: O king, let not the army of Israel go out with thee, for the Lord is not with Israel, and all the children of Ephraim:

2 Chronicles 25:7

Wherefore the Lord being angry against Amasias, sent a prophet to him, to say to him: Why hast thou adored gods that have not delivered their own people out of thy hand?

2 Chronicles 25:15

Amasias would not hearken to him, because it was the Lord's will that he should be delivered into the hands of enemies, because of the gods of Edom.

2 Chronicles 25:20

Historical Context

2 Chronicles addresses the restored community, urged to keep worship pure and hearts humble within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 25 of 36 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 28 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David and Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Amasias was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem, the…" The final verse reads: "And they brought him back upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of David. " In terms of historical background, Second Chronicles spans from Solomon's Temple to the decree of Cyrus allowing the exiles to return home. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 2 Chronicles around After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler')

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the genealogy establishes continuity between generations and validates the claims of later narratives. A pivotal line is verse 2: "And he did what was good in the sight of the Lord: but yet not with a perfect heart." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Chronicles 25 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 26).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

David1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

2 Chronicles Chapter 25 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). Here the believer is invited to ponder the beatitudes as a program of life.

May your reading of 2 Chronicles Chapter 25 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how True worship requires a pure heart applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Chronicles Chapter 25 about?

2 Chronicles 25 contains 28 verses. It opens with "Amasias was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem, the…" and closes with "And they brought him back upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of David. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Chronicles 25?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "And he did what was good in the sight of the Lord: but yet not with a perfect heart." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Chronicles Chapter 25?

This chapter mentions David, Moses.

Who wrote 2 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler'). After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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