2Ki 14:10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

In 2 Kings 14, Amaziah was the king of Judah. He began to rule when he was 25 and ruled for 29 years. Like his father, he was a good king that worshipped Jehovah God. He had the conspirators who murdered his father killed, but he mercifully did not kill their children (v.1-7). Amaziah made war with the Edomites and won. His next target was Israel. He sent messengers to Jehoash and challenged him to meet him face to face. But, Jehoash didn’t want to fight with him. He said Amaziah was proud because he had defeated Edom. He warned Amaziah he would be meddling to his hurt by going to war with him. He warned Amaziah not to look for trouble (v.8-10). But Amaziah would not listen. So, they met in battle at Bethshemesh. Israel crushed Judah, just like Jehoash said would happen. Jehoash captured Amaziah, marched to Jerusalem and broke down the city wall from Ephraim Gate to Corner Gate, a section about six hundred feet long, and took the gold and silver, as well as everything of value from the Temple and the king's treasury. He also took hostages, and then returned to Samaria (v.12-14). Why did Amaziah fail? The answer is in verse 10 just as Jehoash had said: “Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?” Thy heart hath lifted thee up — Here lies the root of all sins: Pride. Solomon says: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). glory of this, and tarry at home – Jehoash asked Amaziah to be contented with this glory he had in defeating the Edomites and to stay at home and enjoy his success. for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt - He warned him not to let his ambition ruin him. that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee - He warned him of the consequence; that it would be fatal, not to himself only, but to his kingdom, which he ought to protect. It was a piece of sound advice to Amaziah. Unfortunately, Amaziah would not listen. And, just as Jehoash had said, he did meddle to his hurt; he fell, and Judah fell with him. Amaziah looked for trouble and got himself hurt. Pride was his downfall. Just because he could defeat Edom, he thought he could defeat anyone. Proud people have full of ambitions. Their ambitions are the cause of their troubles.                                                                                                               Some folks enjoy going round looking for troubles. They make troubles everywhere they go. Troubles will turn around and trouble them: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7b). Peter says if we want peace, we must seek it and pursue after it (1 Peter 3:11). Amaziah played with fire and got himself burnt. As children of God, let us live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). Let us desire peace and pursue it. Our Lord says: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Hebrews 12:14 exhorts us to “follow peace with all men.” Don’t be troublemakers; be at peace with all men. Peacemakers will be blessed.