2 Kings 10:13,14

Were Ahaziah’s brothers slain or were they his brother’s sons? (See comments on 2 Chronicles 22:8) 2 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 14:7 —Why is Amaziah commended for abhorring Edomites when God said not to do so?

PROBLEM: The record says that Amaziah did “what was right in the sight of the Lord” (v. 3) and that “he killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt” (v. 7). This is in spite of the fact that the law commanded, “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother” (Deuteronomy 23:7).

SOLUTION: It should be observed in response to this objection, first of all, that although Amaziah’s life was commended in general, the passage does not explicitly approve of this particular action. In fact, even his general commendation is not without stated reservation by God (cf. v. 3).