Hostilities remain constant also between Judah and Edom; according to the books of Kings and Chronicles, Amaziah even captures Sela (Petra), the capital.

Amaziah, who began his reign by punishing the murderers of his father (2 Kings 14:5; 2 Chronicles 25:3), is the first to employ a mercenary army of one hundred thousand Israelite soldiers, doing so in his attempt to bring the Edomites again under the yoke of Judah (2 Chr. 25:5, 6).

He is commanded by an unnamed prophet to send back the mercenaries, to whom he acquiesces (2 Chr. 25:7-10, 13), much to the annoyance of the mercenaries.

His obedience to this command is followed by a decisive victory over the Edomites (2 Chr. 25:14-16).