And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
And Jehoash the king of Israel sent a message to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, 'A thistle bush in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar tree in Lebanon, saying, "Give your daughter to my son as his wife." But a wild animal in Lebanon came by and trampled down the thistle bush.'
King Jehoash is telling King Amaziah through a parable that he's being foolishly arrogant—like a small thistle trying to make deals with a mighty cedar, only to be crushed.
📚 Historical Context
This was Jehoash's response to Amaziah's challenge for battle after Amaziah had defeated the Edomites and become overconfident. Jehoash was using a parable to warn Amaziah that he was punching above his weight—Israel was much stronger than Judah at this time. The cedar represents the powerful kingdom of Israel, while the thistle represents the smaller, weaker kingdom of Judah.
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