←2 Kings 11→BSB

In This Chapter 14 people 1 place 11 terms 4 resources

People

Athaliah 11 Jehoiada 7 Ahaziah (Son of Jehoram) 6 Jehosheba 2 Jehoahaz (Ahaziah) Azariah (Ahaziah) Jehoshabeath (Jehosheba) Joram (Jehoram) Jehoram Joash Jehoash (Joash) Barachiah (Jehoiada) David Mattan

Places

    Key Terms

    Sabbath 13 Swear 5 Testimony 5 Covenant 4 Smear 3 Appoint 3 Covenant (NT) Covenant of Salt Sabbath (Day of Week) Sabbath Rest Deal With

    Resources

    Ahaziah Articles Athaliah Articles Family Life and Relations Articles Temple Articles

    Athaliah and Joash

    (2 Chronicles 22:10–12)

    ⓘ Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah,...

    Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and the wife of King Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:18, 26). As queen mother, she had significant influence, but she used it for evil (2 Kings 8:18, 27; 2 Chronicles 22:3–4). Her plans included destroying the rest of the royal family (see 2 Chronicles 22:10).

    While Ahab’s family in Samaria was completely destroyed, Athaliah took control in Judah through a massacre similar to Jehu’s slaughter of her family in Samaria.

    1When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. 2But Jehosheba† daughter of King Joram,† the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed.

    3And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

    Joash Anointed King of Judah

    (2 Chronicles 23:1–11)

    4Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites,† and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath.

    He showed them the king’s son

    ⓘ Jehoiada organized the royal guard into specific groups....

    Jehoiada organized the royal guard into specific groups. Some protected the young king. Others took positions at the palace, the Sur Gate (also called the Foundation Gate, 2 Chronicles 23:5), and behind the palace guard. Additional guards stood watch at the Lord’s temple. Every effort was made to secure the king and the anointing site.

    5and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall guard the royal palace, 6a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple— 7the two divisions that would go off duty on the Sabbath are to guard the house of the LORD for the king. 8You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

    9So the commanders of hundreds did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10Then the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields of King David from the house of the LORD.

    ⓘ With all the palace guards in place and...

    With all the palace guards in place and their weapons ready, Jehoiada brought out Joash before the people and crowned him king. He also gave him a copy of God's laws. The king was to receive a copy of the law, make his own copy, and "read from it all the days of his life" (Deuteronomy 17:18–19). Jehoiada's actions strongly contrast with Athaliah's pagan rule.

    11And the guards stood with weapons in hand surrounding the king by the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

    12Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

    The Death of Athaliah

    (2 Chronicles 23:12–15)

    ⓘ The pillar might be one of the two...

    • The pillar might be one of the two that Solomon placed at the temple entrance (1 Kings 7:15–22; 2 Chronicles 23:13). Or the Hebrew word could mean a raised platform built for the occasion so that everyone could see the new king.

    • Athaliah cried out “Treason!” But this was ironic, since she herself had murdered to make herself queen (2 Kings 11:1).

    13When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD. 14And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”

    15And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks,† and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”

    16So they seized Athaliah as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.

    Jehoiada Restores the Worship of the LORD

    (2 Chronicles 23:16–21)

    17Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.

    18So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

    And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD.

    ⓘ The city was calm, showing that the kingdom...

    The city was calm, showing that the kingdom respects God and his laws (Isaiah 35:10; 65:18–24; Jeremiah 33:6–16).

    19He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD and entered the royal palace by way of the Gate of the Guards.

    Then Joash took his seat on the royal throne, 20and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace.

    ⓘ The record of Joash's reign follows a typical...

    The record of Joash's reign follows a typical format:

    1. It describes when he became king (2 Kings 11:21–12:3)

    2. It tells about his royal activities (2 Kings 12:4–18)

    3. It gives the closing notice of his reign (2 Kings 12:19–21).

    The main focus is Joash’s efforts to repair the temple of the Lord (2 Kings 12:4–16). Later, when the army of Aram [the Arameans] invaded, Joash took treasures from the temple and gave them away to protect his city (2 Kings 12:17–18).

    21Joash† was seven years old when he became king.