The post-victory apostasy — idol worship — 'But Amaziah did not take the gods of the people of Seir home with him, and set them up as his gods, and worshiped them, and made offerings to them' (והלוואי לא הביא אמציה את אלהי בני שׂעיר ויעמידם לו לאלהים וישׁתחו לפניהם ויקטר להם). Contradicting the expected pattern (taking the gods of conquered peoples), Amaziah instead 'set them up as his gods' (יעמידם לו לאלהים) and worships them. The verbs ישׁתחו (worship) and יקטר (make offerings) indicate cultic devotion. The apostasy represents the spiritual consequence of the military victory; military strength leads the king away from covenantal loyalty.

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