2 Kings 14:19

Now[R.V. And] they made a conspiracy This was evidently the work of his own subjects. The Chronicler's statement is that the conspiracy was commenced -after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord". But this we see was immediately after the conquest of the Edomites, when the king -brought the gods of the children of Seir" into the land. There must then have been a feeling of hostility to Amaziah among the right-minded of his own people, even before the battle of Beth-shemesh. We cannot tell whether the conspiracy came to a head in a short time, or only gained strength when the forces of Judah had been so thoroughly overcome by the northern army. But everything points to a desire on the part of the people of Judah to put down Amaziah on the first possible opportunity.

and he fled to Lachish Lachish was considerably south of Jerusalem, and Amaziah probably thought that from it he could more easily escape to Edom, or elsewhere, out of harm's way. The place must have been of the nature of a fortress. For when the Israelites entered Canaan it had a king of its own, who joined in the league for the chastisement of the Gibeonites. The king is described as belonging to the Amorites who dwell in the mountains, so that it must have been in a hilly country (Joshua 10:6). We may note also that this city was made one of his fortresses by Rehoboam after the revolt of the ten tribes (2 Chronicles 11:9). Hence Amaziah after he escaped thither may have remained in security and held this place against the conspirators for a considerable time, living indeed, but hardly to be said to be reigning.

they sent after him But we may conclude that his pursuers were not allowed to seize him without some resistance, which may have lasted a considerable time.