2 Kings 14 18

2 Kings 14:18 kjv

And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 14:18 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 14:18 niv

As for the other events of Amaziah's reign, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 14:18 esv

Now the rest of the deeds of Amaziah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

2 Kings 14:18 nlt

The rest of the events in Amaziah's reign are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah.

2 Kings 14 verses

2 Kings 14 18 Meaning

This verse serves as a summary concluding formula for the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, directing the reader to a historical source where further details of his rule can be found. It emphasizes that the biblical account in Kings is a selective theological narrative, pointing to more exhaustive, secular royal annals for comprehensive historical information.

2 Kings 14 18 Context

Chapter 14 of 2 Kings details the reign of Amaziah, son of Joash, as king of Judah. It opens by noting his twenty-nine-year rule in Jerusalem and that he generally "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, though not as David his father." It recounts his initial acts, including the just execution of his father's assassins but not their children (in obedience to the Law). A significant part of the chapter focuses on his successful war against Edom, displaying initial strength. However, intoxicated by this victory, Amaziah challenged Jehoash king of Israel to battle. Despite a warning, Amaziah proceeded, leading to a humiliating defeat where Jerusalem's wall was breached, and temple treasures were plundered. This humiliation, compounded by his pride and potentially idol worship (as recorded in 2 Chronicles 25), ultimately led to a conspiracy against him, forcing him to flee to Lachish, where he was assassinated. Verse 18 is a formulaic summary marking the conclusion of the writer's main narrative for Amaziah, directing the reader to broader royal annals for details outside the immediate theological scope.

2 Kings 14 18 Word analysis

• Now the rest of the acts: הֲלֹא־הֵמָּה כְּתוּבִים (halo'-hemah ketuvim) - This rhetorical question ("are they not written?") emphatically asserts that the following details are indeed recorded. "Acts" (דְּבָרִים - devarim) literally means "words" or "matters/affairs," encompassing events, deeds, and official business. Its use here indicates that the Kings author focuses on specific, theologically pertinent events of a king's reign, while acknowledging that a complete secular historical record, including all administrative and mundane activities, exists elsewhere.
• of Amaziah: אֲמַצְיָהוּ (Amatsyahu) - "Strength of Yahweh" or "Yahweh has strengthened." His name reflects divine empowerment, yet his actions often deviated from trusting in Yahweh, culminating in a downfall partly due to pride after victory and engaging in idolatry (2 Chr 25:14-15).
• are they not written: (Included in the "Now the rest of the acts" section above as it is part of the Hebrew phrase) This phrase serves as a scribal reference pointer. It confirms the existence of contemporary, official, external documents that corroborate and supplement the biblical account. This lends historical credibility to the narrative by grounding it in publicly accessible records.
• in the Book of the Chronicles: סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים (sepher divrey hayamim) - Literally "book of the words of the days," this is an idiom for "annals," "journal," or "official history." This refers to specific royal state archives maintained by the kingdom, not the canonical biblical book of 1 or 2 Chronicles, though the biblical Chronicles likely drew upon these official records, alongside prophetic narratives. This practice highlights a sophisticated level of record-keeping in ancient Israelite monarchies.
• of the Kings of Judah: לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה (le-malchey Yehudah) - This specifies the governmental archive as belonging to the southern kingdom. Such records would have documented royal decrees, foreign relations, military campaigns, building projects, and other affairs of state, forming a comprehensive historical database for the monarchy. This designation implies a distinct, centralized system of royal documentation for the kingdom of Judah.

2 Kings 14 18 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of this concluding formula for nearly every king underscores the theological consistency and unified perspective of the Books of Kings. It is not merely a literary device but a recurring pointer to the overarching theological framework. The biblical author trusts in the reliability of these secular royal records as legitimate historical sources, even while his own emphasis lies elsewhere—on divine providence and covenant faithfulness. The existence of these separate, comprehensive records speaks to the sophisticated scribal traditions and historical consciousness prevalent in the ancient Near East, which God's chosen nation also participated in, allowing for historical events to be recorded for posterity, both within and outside the sacred canon.

2 Kings 14 18 Commentary

2 Kings 14:18 provides a classic concluding statement found frequently throughout the books of Kings for the kings of Judah and Israel. It serves several crucial functions. Firstly, it assures the reader that the concise account presented in Kings is not exhaustive; a fuller, more detailed record exists in contemporary royal archives. This affirms the historical grounding of the biblical narrative, showcasing that it's rooted in verifiable facts, not mythical constructs. Secondly, by referencing "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah," the text implicitly declares its own purpose: it is not a mere secular history aiming for exhaustive documentation. Instead, the writer of Kings selectively presents the deeds of the kings, focusing primarily on their fidelity to God's covenant, their worship (or idolatry), and the resulting divine consequences (blessing or judgment). The details necessary for understanding God's relationship with His people and the Davidic covenant's trajectory are retained, while general administrative details are referred to an external source. This selective approach transforms history into theology, illustrating principles of obedience, judgment, and grace in action through the lives of the monarchs.