*2 Kings 11:1-21
Athaliah, seizing power after her son’s death, is overthrown by Jehoiada the priest who crowns the young prince Joash as king.
- Athaliah’s Usurpation:
- Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learns of her son’s death and seizes the opportunity to solidify her hold on power.
- She embarks on a campaign of bloodshed, eliminating potential threats to her rule by executing all the royal heirs.
- The Rescue of Joash:
- Amidst Athaliah’s purge, Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, is secretly rescued by his aunt, Jehosheba, and her husband, Jehoiada the priest.
- Jehosheba hides Joash in the temple of the Lord, shielding him from Athaliah’s murderous intentions.
- Jehoiada’s Plan:
- Jehoiada, recognizing Joash as the rightful heir to the throne, begins to orchestrate a plan to restore him to power.
- He rallies the support of the priests and Levites, organizing them into a formidable force.
- The Coronation of Joash:
- After six years of covert protection, Jehoiada reveals Joash to the leaders of Judah, declaring him the rightful king.
- The people of Judah gather at the temple and pledge their allegiance to Joash, rejoicing at the prospect of a new ruler.
- The Defeat of Athaliah:
- Athaliah, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, cries out in protest but is swiftly apprehended by Jehoiada’s forces.
- She is brought to the entrance of the royal palace and executed, bringing an end to her tyrannical reign.
- The Restoration of Worship:
- With Joash securely on the throne, Jehoiada institutes reforms aimed at restoring the worship of the Lord in Judah.
- The temple of Baal is demolished, and its priests are put to death, signaling a return to the worship of Yahweh.
2 Kings 11:1-21 teaches us about God’s protection and faithfulness, even in dangerous times. When Queen Athaliah tried to wipe out the royal family, God kept young Joash safe and later put him on the throne at the right time. This reminds us that no matter how bad things look, God is always in control. We can trust Him to guide and protect us, even when life feels uncertain. Just as the people in the story stood up for what was right, we should also be courageous in following God and doing what honors Him.
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.