And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
Joash, king of Israel, captured Amaziah, king of Judah (who was the son of Joash and grandson of Jehoahaz), at Beth Shemesh. He then brought Amaziah to Jerusalem and tore down a section of Jerusalem's wall from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—about 600 feet of wall.
This verse describes how the northern kingdom of Israel defeated the southern kingdom of Judah, capturing their king and destroying part of Jerusalem's protective wall as a show of dominance.
📚 Historical Context
This event occurred around 790 BC when the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah went to war against each other. King Amaziah of Judah had foolishly challenged King Joash of Israel to battle, despite warnings not to do so. The destruction of Jerusalem's wall left the city vulnerable and was a devastating blow to Judah's security and pride.
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