⁸ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: “Come, let us face each other in battle.”

⁹ But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle^(A) in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle underfoot. ¹⁰ You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant.^(B) Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”

¹¹ Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh^(C) in Judah. ¹² Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home.^{(D) 13} Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall^(E) of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate^(F) to the Corner Gate^(G)—a section about four hundred cubits long.^{[a] 14} He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace. He also took hostages and returned to Samaria.

¹⁰ Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He attacked him in front of the people,^[a] assassinated^(A) him and succeeded him as king.

Shallum King of Israel

¹³ Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned in Samaria^(A) one month. ¹⁴ Then Menahem son of Gadi went from Tirzah^(B) up to Samaria. He attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria, assassinated^(C) him and succeeded him as king.

¹⁶ At that time Menahem, starting out from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah^(A) and everyone in the city and its vicinity, because they refused to open^(B) their gates. He sacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.