And Joash 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 Joash king of Israel sent this message to Amaziah king of Judah: '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 the thistle bush.'
King Joash is telling King Amaziah through a parable that he's like a small thistle trying to challenge a mighty cedar, and will be easily crushed.
📚 Historical Context
This exchange happened around 790 BC when Amaziah of Judah, after defeating the Edomites, became overconfident and challenged the more powerful northern kingdom of Israel to battle. Joash used this parable to warn Amaziah that he was vastly outmatched, comparing himself to a mighty cedar and Amaziah to a lowly thistle that would be easily destroyed.
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