But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
But the soldiers from the army that Amaziah had sent home, telling them not to go into battle with him, attacked the cities of Judah. They raided from Samaria all the way to Beth-horon, killed three thousand people, and carried off large amounts of treasure and goods.
The writer is showing how the mercenary soldiers that King Amaziah dismissed turned around and attacked his own kingdom, causing great destruction and loss of life.
📚 Historical Context
King Amaziah of Judah had hired 100,000 soldiers from the northern kingdom of Israel to help him fight the Edomites. However, a prophet warned him that God was not with Israel, so Amaziah sent these hired soldiers home, paying them but not allowing them to participate in the battle. These rejected mercenaries were angry about losing their opportunity for plunder and revenge, so they attacked Judean cities on their way back north.
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