Hidden for a Purpose – The Rescue and Reign of King Joash (2 Kings 11:1–21)
Sometimes, in the darkest moments, God is still working behind the scenes. The story of Joash in 2 Kings 11 shows how God protected a little boy and used brave people to bring hope and change to a nation.
A Wicked Plan to Take the Throne
After the king of Judah, Ahaziah, died, his mother Athaliah saw an opportunity to take power. She wanted to be queen, and she was willing to do anything to make it happen—even if it meant killing her own grandchildren.
To make sure no one from the royal family could take the throne, Athaliah gave orders to have them all killed. It was a heartbreaking and dangerous time for Judah.
A Baby Is Rescued
But one baby was saved. His name was Joash, the son of the late king. His aunt, Jehosheba, was brave enough to rescue him. She hid Joash and his nurse in a room inside the temple of the Lord.
For six years, Joash lived in secret while Athaliah ruled the land. But God had not forgotten him.
A Plan to Restore the True King
In the seventh year, a godly priest named Jehoiada decided it was time to act. He knew Joash was the rightful king, and he wanted to bring him back to the throne.
Jehoiada gathered loyal guards and leaders. He made a careful plan to protect Joash and crown him in public. They all agreed to stand by the young king, no matter what happened.
Joash Is Crowned King
The big moment came at the temple. Joash was brought out and crowned in front of the people. The priest anointed him and gave him a copy of God’s law. Everyone clapped, shouted with joy, and celebrated, saying, “Long live the king!”
For the first time in years, the people had hope.
Athaliah’s Downfall
Athaliah heard the loud cheering and rushed to the temple. When she saw Joash standing as king, she cried out, “Treason!” But no one stood with her.
Jehoiada gave orders for her to be taken out of the temple and put to death. Her time of ruling through fear and violence had come to an end.
A Fresh Start for the Nation
With Joash on the throne, Jehoiada led the people in making a new promise to follow God again. They destroyed the temple of Baal, tore down idols, and removed its priest.
Joash began his rule with the support of the people and the guidance of Jehoiada. The city became peaceful, and proper worship was restored.
What This Story Teaches Us
This powerful story reminds us that even when things seem hopeless, God is still at work. He protected Joash and used faithful people like Jehosheba and Jehoiada to do what was right.
It also shows us the importance of courage. One woman saved a life. One priest made a plan. And a nation was changed.
God often uses everyday people to make a big difference—people who are willing to stand for truth, protect what’s right, and trust Him, even when it’s risky.
2 Kings 11:1-21 (WEB)
11:1 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. 3 He was with her hidden in the LORD’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the LORD’s house; and he made a covenant with them, and made a covenant with them in the LORD’s house, and showed them the king’s son. 5 He commanded them, saying, “This is what you must do: a third of you, who come in on the Sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king’s house; 6 a third of you shall be at the gate Sur; and a third of you at the gate behind the guard. So you shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier. 7 The two companies of you, even all who go out on the Sabbath, shall keep the watch of the LORD’s house around the king. 8 You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.”9 The captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 The priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David’s, which were in the LORD’s house. 11 The guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king. 12 Then he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, “Long live the king!”13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the LORD’s house; 14 and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”15 Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks. Kill anyone who follows her with the sword.” For the priest said, “Don’t let her be slain in the LORD’s house.” 16 So they seized her; and she went by the way of the horses’ entry to the king’s house, and she was slain there.17 Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’s people; also between the king and the people. 18 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over the LORD’s house. 19 He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the LORD’s house, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. He sat on the throne of the kings. 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house.21 Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.