And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
Jehoash, the king of Israel, captured Amaziah, the king of Judah (who was the son of Jehoash and grandson of Ahaziah), at Beth Shemesh. Then he marched to Jerusalem and tore down a section of Jerusalem's wall from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—about 600 feet of wall.
The writer is describing how the northern king of Israel defeated and humiliated the southern king of Judah by capturing him and destroying part of Jerusalem's protective wall.
📚 Historical Context
This event occurred around 790 BC during a civil war between the divided kingdoms of Israel (north) and Judah (south). King Amaziah of Judah had foolishly challenged King Jehoash of Israel to battle, despite warnings not to do so. The destruction of Jerusalem's wall was a deliberate act of humiliation and left the city vulnerable to future attacks.
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