2 Kings 14:8

8 Then Amatzyah sent messengers to Yeho'ash, the son of Yeho'achaz son of Yehu, king of Yisra'el, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

2 Kings 14:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 14:8

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz the
son of Jehu king of Israel
The occasion of it was this, when Amaziah dismissed the hired soldiers of Israel they were displeased, and fell upon the cities of Judea from Samaria to Bethhoron, slew 3000 men, and took much spoil, ( 2 Chronicles 25:13 ) , wherefore, when Amaziah returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, being elated with his victories, he sent the following message to the king of Israel, in order to revenge the injuries his soldiers had done; and perhaps retaining an old grudge for what Jehu, the grandfather of the king of Israel, had done to his ancestors, and it may be in hope of reducing the ten tribes to obedience to the house of David:

saying, come, let us look one another in the face;
that is, in battle, as the Targum adds; it was a challenge to meet him in the field of battle, and fight with him, and try each other's courage, and see who was the best man.

2 Kings 14:8 In-Context

6 but the children of the murderers he didn't put to death; according to that which is written in the book of the law of Moshe, as the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.

7 He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by war, and called the name of it Yokte'el, to this day.

8 Then Amatzyah sent messengers to Yeho'ash, the son of Yeho'achaz son of Yehu, king of Yisra'el, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

9 Yeho'ash the king of Yisra'el sent to Amatzyah king of Yehudah, saying, The thistle that was in Levanon sent to the cedar that was in Levanon, saying, Give your daughter to my son as wife: and there passed by a wild animal that was in Levanon, and trod down the thistle.

10 You have indeed struck Edom, and your heart has lifted you up: glory of it, and abide at home; for why should you meddle to [your] hurt, that you should fall, even you, and Yehudah with you?