1. Wholeheartedly follow God's word (1-4)

Amaziah king of Judah did right in the LORD's eyes, but not wholeheartedly, for he did not remove idols (2Ki 14:4). He executed the conspirators of his father, but not their children, in keeping with God's word (4; Dt 24:16). When we follow God's word, not our feelings or own ideas, we are on the path of blessing. Loving or obeying God with a divided heart invites disaster.

2. Victory through obedience, not alliance (5-13)

Amaziah appointed commanders for his army of 300,000, and he hired 100,000 Israelites for 100 talents of silver. A man of God warned the king that God was not with Israel and if he fought with their help they would lose. God has power to help or overthrow, and God can give much more than what he spent on hiring idolaters (8-9). Amaziah dismissed the hired troops and suffered some vengeance for it (13), but he won this battle.


Application: Lord, help me by your Spirit to love and serve you wholeheartedly in Jesus' name.
One Word: Wholehearted devotion to God.