מלכים ב, פרק י״ד, פסוק ז׳

A brilliant military triumph often carries the seeds of ultimate ruin. For King Amaziah, a decisive victory over Edom marked a dramatic turning point that eventually led to his spiritual and political downfall. The military campaign took place in the Dead Sea region [ביאור שטיינזלץ], an area known as the Valley of Salt. During the clash, Amaziah's forces struck down ten thousand Edomite warriors. However, this figure accounts only for the casualties on the battlefield itself. The historical record in the Book of Chronicles provides a broader picture, revealing that an additional ten thousand Edomites were taken captive, marched to the top of a cliff, and thrown to their deaths [רד״ק, אברבנאל].

Following this crushing defeat in the valley, the king advanced to conquer a formidable Edomite fortress built directly into the rock [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. After taking control of this stronghold, Amaziah decided to change its name to Joktheel. The motivation behind this new name is a matter of discussion. It may have been a reference to a specific, well-known event of that generation [רד״ק]. Alternatively, the name is deeply connected to the bitter aftermath of the war and the king's subsequent sin. Following his triumph, Amaziah brought the Edomite idols back with him and bowed down to them. A prophet confronted him, warning that God had advised his destruction as a consequence of this idolatry. In this light, the name Joktheel serves as a dark hint to that Divine counsel and the impending ruin that would soon strike the king [רש״י].

The background of this campaign also sets the stage for Amaziah's next disastrous conflict. Before marching on Edom, the king had paid a massive sum to hire one hundred thousand mercenary warriors from the Kingdom of Israel. A prophet instructed him to send these soldiers home, warning that God was not with them, and assured Amaziah that God would repay his financial loss. Though Amaziah obeyed, the dismissed Israelite soldiers were enraged. As they returned home, they raided the cities of Judah, plundering property and killing thousands. The fury of these raids, combined with the dangerous overconfidence Amaziah developed after his victory over Edom, drove him to provoke the King of Israel. This arrogance sparked a new war that ultimately sealed his complete downfall [אברבנאל, רש״י].