King Jehoash of Israel reacts with the telling of a fable (compare Judges 9:8–18). Perhaps Amaziah had become overconfident after his victory over Edom and according to Jehoash that was surely the case (see 2 Kings 14:10). But Jehoash, too, is certainly not modest, as he compares himself to a cedar; after all, something is requested from the cedar as Amaziah requests something from Jehoash. The thistle Amaziah is being trampled by wild beasts (these could be the armies of Israel).
9 Et Joas, roi d'Israël, fit dire à Amatsia, roi de Juda: L'épine du Liban envoya dire au cèdre du Liban: Donne ta fille en mariage à mon fils! Et les bêtes sauvages qui sont au Liban passèrent et foulèrent l'épine.