2 Chronicles 25:18

16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

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.

19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
KJV
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.
WEB
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 your daughter to my son as his wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle.
ASV
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 trod down the thistle.
DARBY
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thorn-bush that is in Lebanon sent to the cedar that is in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son as wife; and there passed by the wild beast that is in Lebanon, and trode down the thorn-bush.
BLB
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 your daughter to my son as wife.’ And passed by a wild beast that [was] in Lebanon, and trampled the thistle.
ÅB
Men Israels konge Joas sendte bud til Judas konge Amasja og svarte: Tornebusken på Libanon sendte bud til sederen på Libanon og lot si: La min sønn få din datter til hustru! Men de ville dyr på Libanon for fram og trådte tornebusken ned.
OTB
Men Joasj, kongen av Israel, sendte et svar til Amasja, kongen av Juda, og sa: "Tornebusken som var i Libanon sendte bud til sedertreet som var i Libanon, og sa: 'Gi din datter til min sønn i ekteskap.' Men et vilt dyr som var i Libanon, gikk forbi og trampet ned tornebusken.
B1930
Men Israels konge Joas sendte bud til Judas konge Amasja og svarte: Tornebusken på Libanon sendte bud til sederen på Libanon og lot si: La min sønn få din datter til hustru! Men de ville dyr på Libanon for frem og trådte tornebusken ned.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 9:8–15

    The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 80:13

    The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 4:33

    And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

    Read in context