Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 25:7
But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A man of God confronts King Amaziah immediately after the king has paid a hundred talents of silver to hire a hundred thousand Israelite mercenaries. The prophet delivers this warning during the king’s preparations for battle against the Edomites.
The words — The phrase אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים ('ish ha'elohim) literally means "man of God," identifying the speaker as a divinely authorized messenger. The command אַל־יָבֹא ('al-yavo) translates to "may not go" or "do not let go," stressing the prohibition against the foreign troops.
The thread — This confrontation mirrors Jehu’s rebuke of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 19:2 and Nathan’s direct address to David in 2 Samuel 12:1. Both precedents show prophets intervening when kings rely on political or military alliances rather than divine guidance.
Why it lands — The text demands that a leader evaluate the source of his strength before committing to war. It requires readers to reject hired security when it contradicts the explicit word of God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 19:2 Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
- 2 Samuel 12:1 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.
- 1 Kings 12:28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
- 1 Kings 13:1 Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 13:12 Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”
- Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine.
- Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
- Hosea 9:13 I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 2 Timothy 3:17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.