2 Chronicles 25:16-18

Expanded Bible

¹⁶ As the prophet spoke, Amaziah said to him, “·We never gave you the job of advising the king [^LWho made you the royal counselor?]. Stop, or you will be killed.”

The prophet stopped speaking except to say, “I know that God has ·decided [advised/counseled himself; ^Ca play on words since the king had rejected God’s counsel through the prophet] to destroy you because you have done this. You did not listen to my ·advice [counsel].”

¹⁷ Amaziah king of Judah ·talked with those who advised him [took counsel; sought advice]. Then he sent a message to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, who was the son of Jehu king of Israel. Amaziah said to Jehoash, “Come, let’s meet face to face [^Cpossibly a call to negotiate, but more likely a challenge to battle].”

¹⁸ Then Jehoash king of Israel answered Amaziah king of Judah, “A ·thornbush [thistle] in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar tree in Lebanon. It said, ‘Let your daughter marry my son.’ But then a wild animal from Lebanon came by, ·walking on and crushing [trampling] the ·thornbush [thistle].