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2 Chronicles 25:14
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them upto be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

2 Chronicles 24:2
And Joash didthat which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

2 Chronicles 26:4
And he didthat which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

but not wholeheartedly
This part of the verse reveals a significant shortcoming in Amaziah's devotion. While he performed actions that were outwardly correct, his heart was not fully committed to God. This lack of wholeheartedness is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God desires not just external compliance but internal devotion and sincerity, as seen inDeuteronomy 6:5, which commands love for God with all one's heart. Amaziah's incomplete devotion is further illustrated in2 Chronicles 25:14, where he turns to idolatry after a military victory. This half-heartedness serves as a warning and a lesson about the importance of complete dedication to God, a theme echoed in the New Testament, such as inRevelation 3:16, where lukewarm faith is rebuked.

2 Chronicles 25:2 opens with a simple report: “And he did….”

• The “he” is Amaziah, newly crowned king of Judah (see2 Chronicles 25:1).

• Scripture records the deeds of kings because actions reveal the heart (1 Samuel 16:7;Matthew 7:17-20).

• Amaziah’s reign followed generations marked by both faithfulness and compromise; his choices would steer the nation one way or another, echoing examples like Asa who “did what was good and right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 14:2) and Joash who began well but drifted (2 Chronicles 24:2, 17-18).

“…what was right…” points to objective standards set by God, not shifting human opinion.

• Scripture repeatedly measures kings by this yardstick: David (1 Kings 15:5), Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3), Josiah (2 Kings 22:2).

• “Right” embraces moral obedience, justice, and worship free of idolatry (Micah 6:8;Isaiah 1:17).

• Outward conformity matters; public righteousness influences an entire nation (Proverbs 14:34). Yet outward obedience alone is never the full story.

The standard is divine evaluation: “…in the eyes of the LORD….”

• God sees motives as well as deeds (1 Samuel 16:7;Proverbs 15:3).

• Actions pleasing to people may still fall short before Him (Luke 16:15).

• This phrase reminds us that even kings serve under a higher throne; ultimate accountability rests with the LORD (Romans 14:12).

Here lies the tension: “…but not wholeheartedly.”

• Amaziah obeyed, yet mixture diluted his devotion. After military victory he brought home Edomite idols and bowed to them (2 Chronicles 25:14-15).

• Half-heartedness is dangerous:

– It invites divine displeasure (Psalm 119:2 vs.2 Chronicles 25:15).

– It breeds instability (James 1:8).

– It hinders blessing; contrast Caleb who “followed the LORD fully” (Numbers 14:24) and received his inheritance.

• God seeks undivided hearts:Deuteronomy 6:5 commands love “with all your heart,” andRevelation 3:15-16 warns the lukewarm church.

• Amaziah’s life illustrates how partial obedience eventually unravels—he trusted God to defeat Edom, then trusted idols afterward, and finally provoked his own downfall (2 Chronicles 25:27).

Amaziah performed righteous acts, yet his divided heart limited the lasting fruit of his reign.2 Chronicles 25:2 challenges every believer to move beyond outward conformity to wholehearted devotion, remembering that the LORD, who sees all, delights in obedience that springs from an undivided love for Him.