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The chronicler gives this king, like many others, a mixed review. He is obedient to God concerning Israelite mercenaries but is disobedient with regard to Edomite deities and a battle with Israel.
Amaziah executes his father’s murderers but spares their children. To fortify his army, he hires Israelite mercenaries. A man of God declares the Lord’s displeasure with this alliance. To avert punishment and gain victory, Amaziah dismisses the mercenaries. As a sign of God’s blessing, the obedient Amaziah captures Edom.
Unfortunately, Amaziah was not steadfast in his piety. In a paragraph unique to Chronicles, the author relates that this king worshiped the defeated Edomite gods. This time, however, Amaziah refuses to heed God’s message of warning and hears a word of judgment.
Amaziah’s counselors encourage him to challenge Jehoash of Israel. The northern king, empowered by God to bring Amaziah’s downfall, defeats Judah. Judean conspirators kill Amaziah at Lachish. The chronicler explicitly links this tragedy to the king’s worship of Edomite deities (v.27).