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AHAZIAH KING OF JUDAH

ATHALIAH AND JOASH

2 CHRONICLES 22:1-12

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.


AHAZIAH KING OF JUDAH

ATHALIAH AND JOASH Text: 2 Chronicles 22:1-12, 1. Solomon acquired horses from Egypt and from all the lands. 2. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. 3. He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty, for his mother gave him evil advice. 4. He did evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab’s dynasty because, after his father’s death, they gave him advice that led to his destruction. 5. He followed their advice and joined Ahab’s son King Joram of Israel in a battle against King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth Gilead in which the Syrians defeated Joram. 6. Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he received from the Syrians in Ramah when he fought against King Hazael of Syria. Ahaziah son of King Jehoram of Judah went down to visit Joram son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he had been wounded. 7. God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall through his visit to Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had commissioned to wipe out Ahab’s family. 8. While Jehu was dishing out punishment to Ahab’s family, he discovered the officials of Judah and the sons



of Ahaziah’s relatives who were serving Ahaziah and killed them. 9. He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place. 10. When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line of Judah. 11. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So Jehoshabeath the daughter of King Jehoram, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah so she could not execute him. 12. He remained in hiding in God’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET) Introduction: I. Parallel passages:

A. 2 Chronicles 22:1-9, The residents of Jerusalem made his youngest son Ahaziah king in his place, for the raiding party that invaded the city with the Arabs had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah,



the granddaughter of Omri. He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty, for his mother gave him evil advice. He did evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab’s dynasty because, after his father’s death, they gave him advice that led to his destruction. He followed their advice and joined Ahab’s son King Joram of Israel in a battle against King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth Gilead in which the Syrians defeated Joram. Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he received from the Syrians in Ramah when he fought against King Hazael of Syria. Ahaziah son of King Jehoram of Judah went down to visit Joram son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he had been wounded.God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall through his visit to Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had commissioned to wipe out Ahab’s family. While Jehu was dishing out punishment to Ahab’s family, he discovered the officials of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s relatives who were serving Ahaziah and killed them. He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place. (NET)

B. 2 Kings 8:24b-29, His son Ahaziah replaced him as king. In the twelfth year of the reign of Israel’s King Joram, son of Ahab, Jehoram’s son Ahaziah became king over Judah. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for one year in



Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of King Omri of Israel. He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty and did evil in the sight of the Lord, like Ahab’s dynasty, for he was related to Ahab’s family. He joined Ahab’s son Joram in a battle against King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth Gilead in which the Syrians defeated Joram. King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he received from the Syrians in Ramah when he fought against King Hazael of Syria. King Ahaziah son of Jehoram of Judah went down to visit Joram son of Ahab in Jezreel, for he was ill. (NET)

C. 2 Kings 9:21, 27-28, Jehoram ordered, “Hitch up my chariot.” When his chariot had been hitched up, King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah went out in their respective chariots to meet Jehu. They met up with him in the plot of land that had once belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what happened, he took off up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him and ordered, “Shoot him too.” They shot him while he was driving his chariot up the ascent of Gur near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants took his body back to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his ancestors in the City of David. (NET)

D. 2 Chronicles 22:10-12, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line of Judah. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the



rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So Jehoshabeath the daughter of King Jehoram, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah so she could not execute him. 12 He remained in hiding in God’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET)

E. 2 Kings 11:1-3, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line. So Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So he was hidden from Athaliah and escaped execution. He hid out with his nurse in the Lord’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET)

Note: Much of the material in 2 Kings 9:1-26 is not addressed in 2 Chronicles 22. (See Hicks.) 2 Kings 9:1-26, Now Elisha the prophet summoned a member of the prophetic guild and told him, “Tuck your robes into your belt, take this container of olive oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you arrive there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi and take him aside into an inner room. Take the container of olive oil, pour it over his head, and say, ‘This is what the Lord says, “I have designated you as king over Israel.”’ Then open the door and run away quickly!” So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, the officers of the army



were sitting there. So he said, “I have a message for you, O officer.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us?” He replied, “For you, O officer.” So Jehu got up and went inside. Then the prophet poured the olive oil on his head and said to him, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘I have designated you as king over the Lord’s people Israel. You will destroy the family of your master Ahab. I will get revenge against Jezebel for the shed blood of my servants the prophets and for the shed blood of all the Lord’s servants. Ahab’s entire family will die. I will cut off every last male belonging to Ahab in Israel, including even the weak and incapacitated. I will make Ahab’s dynasty like those of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha son of Ahijah. Dogs will devour Jezebel on the plot of ground in Jezreel; she will not be buried.’” Then he opened the door and ran away. When Jehu rejoined his master’s servants, they asked him, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman visit you?” He replied, “Ah, it’s not important. You know what kind of man he is and the kinds of things he says.” But they said, “You’re lying! Tell us what he said.” So he told them what he had said. He also related how he had said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘I have designated you as king over Israel.’” Each of them quickly took off his cloak and they spread them out at Jehu’s feet on the steps. The trumpet was blown and they shouted, “Jehu is king!” Then Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram had been in Ramoth Gilead with the whole Israelite army, guarding against an invasion by King Hazael of Syria. But King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he received from the Syrians when he fought against King Hazael of Syria. Jehu told his supporters, “If you really want me to be king, then don’t let anyone



escape from the city to go and warn Jezreel.” Jehu drove his chariot to Jezreel, for Joram was recuperating there. (Now King Ahaziah of Judah had come down to visit Joram.) Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and saw Jehu’s troops approaching. He said, “I see troops!” Jehoram ordered, “Send a rider out to meet them and have him ask, ‘Is everything all right?’” So the horseman went to meet him and said, “This is what the king says, ‘Is everything all right?’” Jehu replied, “None of your business! Follow me.” The watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but hasn’t started back.” So he sent a second horseman out to them and he said, “This is what the king says, ‘Is everything all right?’” Jehu replied, “None of your business! Follow me.” The watchman reported, “He reached them, but hasn’t started back. The one who drives the lead chariot drives like Jehu son of Nimshi; he drives recklessly.” Jehoram ordered, “Hitch up my chariot.” When his chariot had been hitched up, King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah went out in their respective chariots to meet Jehu. They met up with him in the plot of land that had once belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. When Jehoram saw Jehu, he asked, “Is everything all right, Jehu?” He replied, “How can everything be all right as long as your mother Jezebel promotes idolatry and pagan practices?” Jehoram turned his chariot around and took off. He said to Ahaziah, “It’s a trap, Ahaziah!” Jehu aimed his bow and shot an arrow right between Jehoram’s shoulders. The arrow went through his heart and he fell to his knees in his chariot. Jehu ordered his officer Bidkar, “Pick him up and throw him into the part of the field that once belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Remember, you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, when the



Lord pronounced this judgment on him, ‘“Know for sure that I saw the shed blood of Naboth and his sons yesterday,” says the Lord, “and that I will give you what you deserve right here in this plot of land,” says the Lord.’ So now pick him up and throw him into this plot of land, just as the Lord said.” (NET) II. Questions persist in regard to harmonizing certain passages in 2 Chronicles 22 and 2 Kings 9 and 10. (Hicks)

A. Chronology:

1. 2 Chronicles 22:8, 9, While Jehu was dishing out punishment to Ahab’s family, he discovered the officials of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s relatives who were serving Ahaziah and killed them. He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place.

2. 2 Kings 10:11-14, Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab’s family in Jezreel, and all his nobles, close friends, and priests. He left no survivors. Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria. While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds, Jehu encountered the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. He asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are Ahaziah’s relatives. We have come down to see how the



king’s sons and the queen mother’s sons are doing.” He said, “Capture them alive!” So they captured them alive and then executed all forty-two of them in the cistern at Beth Eked. He left no survivors. (NET)

B. Place of Death:

1. 2 Chronicles 22:9, He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 9:27, When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what happened, he took off up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him and ordered, “Shoot him too.” They shot him while he was driving his chariot up the ascent of Gur near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there. (NET)

C. Place of Burial:

1. 2 Chronicles 22:9, He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in



Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 9:28, Solomon acquired horses from Egypt and from all the lands. (NET)

III. Hicks wrote that no contradictions exist in the above paired references.

A. The Chronicler left unsaid some of what was already known by his readers.

B. Also, the Chronicler omitted certain information that would unduely honor wicked Ahaziah.

C. It appears that the Chronicler wrote to emphasize certain theological perspectives rather than reporting chronologically a series of historic events.

Commentary:

Ahaziah King of Judah 2 Chronicles 22:1, Solomon acquired horses from Egypt and from all the lands. (NET) I. The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram’s (Joram’s) youngest son, king in his place, . . .

A. Ahaziah (the Lord sustains) (Jehoahaz) was the youngest and only surviving son of King Jehoram/Joram who became king of Judah at age twenty-two (22). He reigned for only



one year (841 B.C.). Wicked Athaliah was his mother. He did that which was evil in the sight of God. (Youngblood)

1. 2 Chronicles 21:17, They attacked Judah and swept through it. They carried off everything they found in the royal palace, including his sons and wives. None of his sons was left, except for his youngest, Ahaziah. (NET)

2. “There was nothing unusual about variations in Hebrew names,” Coffman observed.

II. since the raiders, who came with the Arabs into the camp, had killed all the older sons.

A. Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, was the only male heir left alive because the Arabs had killed all his brothers.

1. 2 Chronicles 21:16, 17, The Lord stirred up against Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabs who lived beside the Cushites. They attacked Judah and swept through it. They carried off everything they found in the royal palace, including his sons and wives. None of his sons was left, except for his youngest, Ahaziah. (NET)

III. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram began to reign.

A. 2 Kings 8:25, In the twelfth year of the reign of Israel’s King Joram, son of Ahab, Jehoram’s son Ahaziah became king over Judah. (NET)



2 Chronicles 22:2, Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. (NET) I. Ahaziah was twenty-two (22) years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year.

A. The KJV states in 2 Chronicles 22:2 that Ahaziah was forty-two (42) years of age when he began to reign whereas the NIV states he was twenty-two (22) years of age when he began to reign.

1. The NIV is obviously correct because Jehoram died at age forty (40).

a. 2 Chronicles 21:5, Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. (NET)

b. 2 Chronicles 21:20, Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. No one regretted his death; he was buried in the City of David, but not in the royal tombs. (NET)

II. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab and a granddaughter of Omri, kings of Israel.

A. Athaliah was the daughter of Israel’s wicked King Ahab and presumably Jezebel and the wife of Jehoram, king of Judah. (Youngblood)



B. The affiliation of certain kings of Judah with the houses of wicked Omri-Ahab in Israel almost ended the Davidic dynasty. (See Hicks.)

1. 2 Chronicles 22:3-4, He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty, for his mother gave him evil advice. He did evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab’s dynasty because, after his father’s death, they gave him advice that led to his destruction. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 8:27, “God does not really live on the earth! Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this temple I have built! (NET)

C. While the dynasty of Omri-Ahab came to an end through Jehu, the Davidic dynasty continued and this was certainly an encouragement to the post-exilic community. (See Hicks.)

2 Chronicles 22:3, He followed in the footsteps of Ahab’s dynasty, for his mother gave him evil advice. (NET) I. He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong.

A. Ahaziah was not his own man, but did the bidding of his wicked mother.



1. “Athaliah, the wicked daughter of a wicked parent, and the wicked spouse of an unprincipled king,” Clarke wrote, was his counselor.

2 Chronicles 22:4, He did evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab’s dynasty because, after his father’s death, they gave him advice that led to his destruction. (NET) I. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, . . .

A. The Lord and the devil seek to influence us all to do their wishes.

1. The Lord would lead us to follow him on the high road.

2. The devil would lead us on the low road to sin and degradation.

B. We see from the histories of Israel and Judah some of the results of our decisions, choices.

1. Joshua 24:14-24, Now obey the Lord and worship him with integrity and loyalty. Put aside the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and worship the Lord. If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!” The people responded,



“Far be it from us to abandon the Lord so we can worship other gods! For the Lord our God took us and our fathers out of slavery in the land of Egypt and performed these awesome miracles before our very eyes. He continually protected us as we traveled and when we passed through nations. The Lord drove out from before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. So we too will worship the Lord, for he is our God!” Joshua warned the people, “You will not keep worshiping the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God who will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. If you abandon the Lord and worship foreign gods, he will turn against you; he will bring disaster on you and destroy you, though he once treated you well.” The people said to Joshua, “No! We really will worship the Lord!” Joshua said to the people, “Do you agree to be witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to worship the Lord?” They replied, “We are witnesses!” Joshua said, “Now put aside the foreign gods that are among you and submit to the Lord God of Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “We will worship the Lord our God and obey him.” (NET)

2. Deuteronomy 28:1-3, 15-19, “If you indeed obey the Lord your God and are careful to observe all his commandments I am giving you today, the Lord your God will elevate you above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city



and blessed in the field. “But if you ignore the Lord your God and are not careful to keep all his commandments and statutes I am giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you in full force: You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the field. Your basket and your mixing bowl will be cursed. Your children will be cursed, as well as the produce of your soil, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. (NET)

II. for after his father’s death they became his advisors in his undoing.

A. It is of utmost importance that we seek and follow the advice of wise, righteous people and avoid heeding the advice of foolish and wicked people.

2 Chronicles 22:5, He followed their advice and joined Ahab’s son King Joram of Israel in a battle against King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth Gilead in which the Syrians defeated Joram. (NET) I. He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram/Jehoram son of Ahab King of Israel to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead.

A. Ramoth Gilead was an important fortified city in the territory of Gad near the border of Israel and Syria located about twenty-five (25) miles east of the Jordan River. (Youngblood)



B. Aram was an area populated by the Arameans and has been referred to also as Syria and Mesopotamia. (Youngblood)

C. Hazael became king of Aram when he assassinated Ben-Hadad. More than one Syrian king was named Ben-Hadad. (Youngblood)

D. Hicks wrote, “It appears that Ahaziah did not join Joram on the battlefield (he visits the wounded Joram in Jezreel), but he probably supplied troops and material.”

1. 2 Kings 8:28, He joined Ahab’s son Joram in a battle against King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth Gilead in which the Syrians defeated Joram. (NET)

II. The Arameans wounded Joram/Jehoram; . . .

A. The Arameans won this battle and Joram was wounded in this military engagement.

B. He retired to recuperate.

III. so he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds they had inflicted on him at Ramoth in his battle with Hazael king of Aram.

A. This Jezreel, a city in northern Israel, was located on the Plain of (Esdraelon) Jezreel in the territory possessed by Issachar between Megiddo and Beth Shean and between



Mount Carmel and Mount Gilboa about fifty-six (56) miles north of Jerusalem.

IV. then Ahaziah son of Jehoram/Joram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram/Jehoram son of Ahab because he had been wounded.

A. Ahaziah, king of Judah, was totally dominated by his mother’s family, the house of Ahab, and this led to his death at the hands of Jehu.

2 Chronicles 22:7, God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall through his visit to Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had commissioned to wipe out Ahab’s family. (NET) I. Through Ahaziah’s visit to Joram, God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall.

A. The destruction of Ahaziah was of God, God’s will, and due to God’s providence.

1. Ahaziah was in close alliance with the house of Ahab and Jehu killed him.

2. How much trouble well intentioned Jehoshaphat brought about by permitting his son to marry Ahab’s daughter! . . . for many years thereafter.

B. “God judged the house of Ahab through the Aramean king and Jehu,” Hicks wrote.

III. whom the Lord had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.



A. 2 Kings 9:1-7, Now Elisha the prophet summoned a member of the prophetic guild and told him, “Tuck your robes into your belt, take this container of olive oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you arrive there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi and take him aside into an inner room. Take the container of olive oil, pour it over his head, and say, ‘This is what the Lord says, “I have designated you as king over Israel.”’ Then open the door and run away quickly!” So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, the officers of the army were sitting there. So he said, “I have a message for you, O officer.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us?” He replied, “For you, O officer.” So Jehu got up and went inside. Then the prophet poured the olive oil on his head and said to him, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘I have designated you as king over the Lord’s people Israel. You will destroy the family of your master Ahab. I will get revenge against Jezebel for the shed blood of my servants the prophets and for the shed blood of all the Lord’s servants. (NET)

B. 1 Kings 19:16, You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. (NET)

1. 1 Kings 19:15-17, The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the Desert of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from



Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 8:11-13, Elisha just stared at him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the prophet started crying. Hazael asked, “Why are you crying, my master?” He replied, “Because I know the trouble you will cause the Israelites. You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, smash their children to bits, and rip open their pregnant women.” Hazael said, “How could your servant, who is as insignificant as a dog, accomplish this great military victory?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has revealed to me that you will be the king of Syria.” (NET)

3. By Ahaziah’s visit to Joram and because of his association with idolatious Israel, he met his death at the hands of Jehu and God’s providence. (See Hicks.)

II. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram/Jehoram to meet Jehu (grand) son of (descendant) of Nimshi, . . .

A. Jehu (the Lord is He) is the name of five (5) men in the Old Testament. This Jehu became the eleventh (11th) king of Israel who reigned for twenty-eight (28) years. Jehu killed many members of the family of Ahab.

B. Ahaziah’s and Joram’s/Jehoram’s going out to meet Jehu did not necessarily involve hostile intentions, Clarke concluded.



1. The purpose of this meeting is elsewhere discussed.

a. 2 Kings 9:14-29, Then Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram had been in Ramoth Gilead with the whole Israelite army, guarding against an invasion by King Hazael of Syria. But King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he received from the Syrians when he fought against King Hazael of Syria. Jehu told his supporters, “If you really want me to be king, then don’t let anyone escape from the city to go and warn Jezreel.” 16 Jehu drove his chariot to Jezreel, for Joram was recuperating there. (Now King Ahaziah of Judah had come down to visit Joram.) Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel and saw Jehu’s troops approaching. He said, “I see troops!” Jehoram ordered, “Send a rider out to meet them and have him ask, ‘Is everything all right?’” So the horseman went to meet him and said, “This is what the king says, ‘Is everything all right?’” Jehu replied, “None of your business! Follow me.” The watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but hasn’t started back.” So he sent a second horseman out to them and he said, “This is what the king says, ‘Is everything all right?’” Jehu replied, “None of your business! Follow me.” The watchman report-



ed, “He reached them, but hasn’t started back. The one who drives the lead chariot drives like Jehu son of Nimshi; he drives recklessly.” Jehoram ordered, “Hitch up my chariot.” When his chariot had been hitched up, King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah went out in their respective chariots to meet Jehu. They met up with him in the plot of land that had once belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. When Jehoram saw Jehu, he asked, “Is everything all right, Jehu?” He replied, “How can everything be all right as long as your mother Jezebel promotes idolatry and pagan practices?” Jehoram turned his chariot around and took off. He said to Ahaziah, “It’s a trap, Ahaziah!” Jehu aimed his bow and shot an arrow right between Jehoram’s shoulders. The arrow went through his heart and he fell to his knees in his chariot. Jehu ordered his officer Bidkar, “Pick him up and throw him into the part of the field that once belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Remember, you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, when the Lord pronounced this judgment on him, ‘“Know for sure that I saw the shed blood of Naboth and his sons yesterday,” says the Lord, “and that I will give you what you deserve right here in this plot of land,” says the Lord.’ So now pick him up and throw him into this plot of land, just as the Lord said.” When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what happened, he took off up the road to



Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him and ordered, “Shoot him too.” They shot him while he was driving his chariot up the ascent of Gur near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants took his body back to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his ancestors in the City of David. Ahaziah had become king over Judah in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab. (NET)

III. whom the Lord had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.

A. 2 Kings 9:1-7, Now Elisha the prophet summoned a member of the prophetic guild and told him, “Tuck your robes into your belt, take this container of olive oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you arrive there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi and take him aside into an inner room. Take the container of olive oil, pour it over his head, and say, ‘This is what the Lord says, “I have designated you as king over Israel.”’ Then open the door and run away quickly!” So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, the officers of the army were sitting there. So he said, “I have a message for you, O officer.” Jehu asked, “For which one of us?” He replied, “For you, O officer.” So Jehu got up and went inside. Then the prophet poured the olive oil on his head and said to him, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘I have designated you as king over the Lord’s people Israel. You will destroy the family of your master Ahab. I will get revenge against Jezebel for the shed blood of my servants the



prophets and for the shed blood of all the Lord’s servants. (NET)

B. 1 Kings 19:16, You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. (NET)

2 Chronicles 22:8, While Jehu was dishing out punishment to Ahab’s family, he discovered the officials of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s relatives who were serving Ahaziah and killed them. (NET) I. While Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, . . .

A. 2 Kings 9:24-37, Jehu aimed his bow and shot an arrow right between Jehoram’s shoulders. The arrow went through his heart and he fell to his knees in his chariot. Jehu ordered his officer Bidkar, “Pick him up and throw him into the part of the field that once belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Remember, you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, when the Lord pronounced this judgment on him, ‘“Know for sure that I saw the shed blood of Naboth and his sons yesterday,” says the Lord, “and that I will give you what you deserve right here in this plot of land,” says the Lord.’ So now pick him up and throw him into this plot of land, just as the Lord said.” When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what happened, he took off up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him and ordered, “Shoot him too.” They shot him while he was driving his chariot up the ascent of Gur near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants took his body back to Jerusalem and buried



him in his tomb with his ancestors in the City of David. Ahaziah had become king over Judah in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab. Jehu approached Jezreel. When Jezebel heard the news, she put on some eye liner, fixed up her hair, and leaned out the window. When Jehu came through the gate, she said, “Is everything all right, Zimri, murderer of his master?” He looked up at the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. He said, “Throw her down!” So they threw her down, and when she hit the ground, her blood splattered against the wall and the horses, and Jehu drove his chariot over her. He went inside and had a meal. Then he said, “Dispose of this accursed woman’s corpse. Bury her, for after all, she was a king’s daughter.” But when they went to bury her, they found nothing left but the skull, feet, and palms of the hands. When they went back and told him, he said, “The Lord’s word through his servant, Elijah the Tishbite, has come to pass. He warned, ‘In the plot of land at Jezreel, dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s corpse will be like manure on the surface of the ground in the plot of land at Jezreel. People will not be able to even recognize her.’” (NET)

B. 2 Kings 10:1-36, Ahab had seventy sons living in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the leading officials of Jezreel and to the guardians of Ahab’s dynasty. This is what the letters said, “You have with you the sons of your master, chariots and horses, a fortified city, and weapons. So when this letter arrives, pick the best and most capable of your master’s sons, place him on his



father’s throne, and defend your master’s dynasty.” They were absolutely terrified and said, “Look, two kings could not stop him! How can we?” So the palace supervisor, the city commissioner, the leaders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu, “We are your subjects! Whatever you say, we will do. We will not make anyone king. Do what you consider proper.” He wrote them a second letter, saying, “If you are really on my side and are willing to obey me, then take the heads of your master’s sons and come to me in Jezreel at this time tomorrow.” Now the king had seventy sons, and the prominent men of the city were raising them. When they received the letter, they seized the king’s sons and executed all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to him in Jezreel. The messenger came and told Jehu, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons.” Jehu said, “Stack them in two piles at the entrance of the city gate until morning.” In the morning he went out and stood there. Then he said to all the people, “You are innocent. I conspired against my master and killed him. But who struck down all of these men? Therefore take note that not one of the judgments the Lord announced against Ahab’s dynasty has failed to materialize. The Lord had done what he announced through his servant Elijah.” Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab’s family in Jezreel, and all his nobles, close friends, and priests. He left no survivors. Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria. While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds, Jehu encountered the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. He asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are Ahaziah’s relatives.



We have come down to see how the king’s sons and the queen mother’s sons are doing.” He said, “Capture them alive!” So they captured them alive and then executed all forty-two of them in the cistern at Beth Eked. He left no survivors. When he left there, he met Jehonadab, son of Rekab, who had been looking for him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Are you as committed to me as I am to you?” Jehonadab answered, “I am!” Jehu replied, “If so, give me your hand.” So he offered his hand and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot. Jehu said, “Come with me and see how zealous I am for the Lord’s cause.” So he took him along in his chariot. He went to Samaria and exterminated all the members of Ahab’s family who were still alive in Samaria, just as the Lord had announced to Elijah. Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab worshiped Baal a little; Jehu will worship him with great devotion. So now, bring to me all the prophets of Baal, as well as all his servants and priests. None of them must be absent, for I am offering a great sacrifice to Baal. Any of them who fail to appear will lose their lives.” But Jehu was tricking them so he could destroy the servants of Baal. Then Jehu ordered, “Make arrangements for a celebration for Baal.” So they announced it. Jehu sent invitations throughout Israel, and all the servants of Baal came; not one was absent. They arrived at the temple of Baal and filled it up from end to end. Jehu ordered the one who was in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out robes for all the servants of Baal.” So he brought out robes for them. Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rekab went to the temple of Baal. Jehu said to the servants of



Baal, “Make sure there are no servants of the Lord here with you; there must be only servants of Baal.” They went inside to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside. He had told them, “If any of the men inside get away, you will pay with your lives!” When he finished offering the burnt sacrifice, Jehu ordered the royal guard and officers, “Come in and strike them down! Don’t let any escape!” So the royal guard and officers struck them down with the sword and left their bodies lying there. Then they entered the inner sanctuary of the temple of Baal. They hauled out the sacred pillar of the temple of Baal and burned it. They demolished the sacred pillar of Baal and the temple of Baal; it is used as a latrine to this very day. So Jehu eradicated Baal worship from Israel. However, Jehu did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam son of Nebat had encouraged Israel to commit; the golden calves remained in Bethel and Dan. The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well. You have accomplished my will and carried out my wishes with regard to Ahab’s dynasty. Therefore four generations of your descendants will rule over Israel.” But Jehu did not carefully and whole-heartedly obey the law of the Lord God of Israel. He did not repudiate the sins which Jeroboam had encouraged Israel to commit. In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel’s territory. Hazael attacked their eastern border. He conquered all the land of Gilead, including the territory of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh, extending all the way from the Aroer in the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan. The rest of the events of Jehu’s reign, including all his



accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. Jehu passed away and was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoahaz replaced him as king. 36 Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years in Samaria. (NET)

C. 2 Kings 11:1-20, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line. So Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So he was hidden from Athaliah and escaped execution. He hid out with his nurse in the Lord’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. In the seventh year Jehoiada summoned the officers of the units of hundreds of the Carians and the royal bodyguard. He met with them in the Lord’s temple. He made an agreement with them and made them swear an oath of allegiance in the Lord’s temple. Then he showed them the king’s son. He ordered them, “This is what you must do. One third of the unit that is on duty during the Sabbath will guard the royal palace. Another third of you will be stationed at the Foundation Gate. Still another third of you will be stationed at the gate behind the royal guard. You will take turns guarding the palace. The two units who are off duty on the Sabbath will guard the Lord’s temple and protect the king. You must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever approaches your ranks must be killed. You



must accompany the king wherever he goes.” The officers of the units of hundreds did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each of them took his men, those who were on duty during the Sabbath as well as those who were off duty on the Sabbath, and reported to Jehoiada the priest. The priest gave to the officers of the units of hundreds King David’s spears and the shields that were kept in the Lord’s temple. The royal bodyguard took their stations, each holding his weapon in his hand. They lined up from the south side of the temple to the north side and stood near the altar and the temple, surrounding the king. Jehoiada led out the king’s son and placed on him the crown and the royal insignia. They proclaimed him king and poured olive oil on his head. They clapped their hands and cried out, “Long live the king!” When Athaliah heard the royal guard shout, she joined the crowd at the Lord’s temple. Then she saw the king standing by the pillar, according to custom. The officers stood beside the king with their trumpets and all the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!” Jehoiada the priest ordered the officers of the units of hundreds, who were in charge of the army, “Bring her outside the temple to the guards. Put the sword to anyone who follows her.” The priest gave this order because he had decided she should not be executed in the Lord’s temple. They seized her and took her into the precincts of the royal palace through the horses’ entrance. There she was executed. Jehoiada then drew up a covenant between the Lord and the king and people,



stipulating that they should be loyal to the Lord. All the people of the land went and demolished the temple of Baal. They smashed its altars and idols to bits. They killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altar. Jehoiada the priest then placed guards at the Lord’s temple. He took the officers of the units of hundreds, the Carians, the royal bodyguard, and all the people of land, and together they led the king down from the Lord’s temple. They entered the royal palace through the Gate of the Royal Bodyguard, and the king sat down on the royal throne. All the people of the land celebrated, for the city had rest now that they had killed Athaliah with the sword in the royal palace. (NET)

II. he found the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s relatives, who had been attending Ahaziah, and he killed them.

A. Ahaziah’s sins also led to the deaths of Judah’s princes and his relatives who had been attending Ahaziah.

1. 2 Kings 10:7, 11, 12-14, When they received the letter, they seized the king’s sons and executed all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to him in Jezreel. Then Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab’s family in Jezreel, and all his nobles, close friends, and priests. He left no survivors. Jehu then left there and set out for Samaria. While he was traveling through Beth Eked of the Shepherds, Jehu encountered the relatives of King Ahaziah of Judah. He asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are Ahaziah’s relatives.



We have come down to see how the king’s sons and the queen mother’s sons are doing.” He said, “Capture them alive!” So they captured them alive and then executed all forty-two of them in the cistern at Beth Eked. He left no survivors. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 11:13-20, When Athaliah heard the royal guard shout, she joined the crowd at the Lord’s temple. Then she saw the king standing by the pillar, according to custom. The officers stood beside the king with their trumpets and all the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!” Jehoiada the priest ordered the officers of the units of hundreds, who were in charge of the army, “Bring her outside the temple to the guards. Put the sword to anyone who follows her.” The priest gave this order because he had decided she should not be executed in the Lord’s temple. They seized her and took her into the precincts of the royal palace through the horses’ entrance. There she was executed. Jehoiada then drew up a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, stipulating that they should be loyal to the Lord. All the people of the land went and demolished the temple of Baal. They smashed its altars and idols to bits. They killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altar. Jehoiada the priest then placed guards at the Lord’s temple. He took the officers of the units of hundreds, the Carians, the royal bodyguard, and all the people



of land, and together they led the king down from the Lord’s temple. They entered the royal palace through the Gate of the Royal Bodyguard, and the king sat down on the royal throne. All the people of the land celebrated, for the city had rest now that they had killed Athaliah with the sword in the royal palace. (NET)

2 Chronicles 22:9, He looked for Ahaziah, who was captured while hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and then executed him. They did give him a burial, for they reasoned, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with his whole heart.” There was no one in Ahaziah’s family strong enough to rule in his place. (NET) I. He (Jehu) then went in search of Ahaziah, and his (Jehu’s) men captured him while he was hiding in Samaria.

A. Samaria was the capital city of the northern kingdom and was located on a hill forty-two (42) miles north of Jerusalem and twenty-five (25) miles east of the Mediterranean Sea on the major north-south road through Palestine.

B. Parallel passages:

1. 2 Chronicles 9:22, King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. (NET)

2. 2 Kings 9:27-28, When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what happened, he took off up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him and ordered,



“Shoot him too.” They shot him while he was driving his chariot up the ascent of Gur near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants took his body back to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his ancestors in the City of David. (NET)

II. He was brought to Jehu and put to death.

A. 2 Kings 9:27-29, When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what happened, he took off up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him and ordered, “Shoot him too.” They shot him while he was driving his chariot up the ascent of Gur near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there. His servants took his body back to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his ancestors in the City of David. Ahaziah had become king over Judah in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab. (NET)

B. Jehu had been anointed by the prophet Elisha as the eleventh (11th) king of Israel and reigned twenty-eight (28) years. (Youngblood)

1. Jehu is known for his violence against the house of Ahab. Jezebel was thrown out of the upper window of the palace and killed. Jehu killed Ahaziah and some of his princes because of their kinship and alliances with the house of Ahab. (See Youngblood.)

III. They buried him, for they said, “He was a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart.”



A. How very different these two men were, Jehoshaphat and his grandson Ahaziah! (See Hicks.)

B. Had it not been for Ahaziah’s kinship with Jehoshaphat, it is inferred that King Ahaziah would have had no honorable interment.

IV. So there was no one in the house of Ahaziah powerful enough to retain the kingdom.

A. Because of this power vacuum, evil Athaliah saw her opportunity to seize power and destroy rivals of the house of David. (See Coffman.)

B. Hicks wrote, “Though this is analogous to the end of Saul, it is best compared with the end of the Davidic line at the time of the exile. This is the situation of the postexilic community. Will the Davidic line rise again?”

1. Jeremiah 22:29-30, O land of Judah, land of Judah, land of Judah! Listen to what the Lord has to say! The Lord says, “Enroll this man in the register as though he were childless. Enroll him as a man who will not enjoy success during his lifetime. For none of his sons will succeed in occupying the throne of David or ever succeed in ruling over Judah.” (NET)

2. Will the Davidic line rise again? (Hicks)

3. The Chronicler answers that the promise has not failed. (Hicks)



4. God will reign again through David. (Hicks)

a. 2 Chronicles 20:20, Early the next morning they marched out to the Desert of Tekoa. When they were ready to march, Jehoshaphat stood up and said: “Listen to me, you people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem! Trust in the Lord your God and you will be safe! Trust in the message of his prophets and you will win.” (NET)

Athaliah and Joash

2 Chronicles 22:10, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line of Judah. (NET) I. When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, . . .

A. 2 Kings 11:1-3, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line. So Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So he was hidden from Athaliah and escaped execution. He hid out with his nurse in the Lord’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET)



II. she proceeded (attempted) to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah, even murdering her grandchildren.

A. Joash was the sole surviving male heir of the Davidic house.

1. The High priest Jehoiada and Jehosheba, the daughter of Jehoram and the aunt of Joash, were instrumental in sparing the life of Joash.

B. The Chronicler gives little attention to the six (6) year reign of Athaliah, the wicked, idolatrous usurper, and no more attention to this “queen mother” is warranted!

C. “Nothing but the miraculous intervention of the divine providence could have saved the line of David at this time, and preserved the prophecy relative to the Messiah,” Clarke wrote.

2 Chronicles 22:11, So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So Jehoshabeath the daughter of King Jehoram, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah so she could not execute him. (NET) I. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, . . .

A. 2 Kings 11:1-3, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line. So



Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So he was hidden from Athaliah and escaped execution. He hid out with his nurse in the Lord’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET)

B. Jehosheba was the half-sister of King Ahaziah, daughter of King Jehoram. “Jehosheba’s courageous act preserved ‘the house and lineage of David’, from which Jesus was descended.” (Youngblood)

II. took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered . . .

A. Jehosheba had access to the royal family and to the priestly quarters by reasons of blood relations and marriage.

B. Brave Jehosheba, Hicks wrote, reminds us, in regard to saving Joash’s life, of:

1. Moses’ family, . . .

a. Exodus 2:1-10, A man from the household of Levi married a woman who was a descendant of Levi. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a healthy child, she hid him for three months. But when she was no longer able to hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him and sealed it with bitumen



and pitch. She put the child in it and set it among the reeds along the edge of the Nile. His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him. Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself by the Nile, while her attendants were walking alongside the river, and she saw the basket among the reeds. She sent one of her attendants, took it, opened it, and saw the child—a boy, crying!—and she felt compassion for him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get a nursing woman for you from the Hebrews, so that she may nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes, do so.” So the young girl went and got the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “Because I drew him from the water.” (NET)

2. Jesus’ family.

a. Matthew 2:1-23, After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is



born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country. After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt,



and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him.” Then he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and went to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud wailing, Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were gone.” After Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” So he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee. He came to a town called Nazareth and lived there. Then what had been spoken by the prophets was



fulfilled, that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. (NET)

III. and put him and his nurse in a bedroom.

A. Joash at this time was a very small child, perhaps approximately one (1) year of age.

B. God can save by many or by few, the strong or the weak, the old or the new, . . .

IV. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, . . .

A. Jehosheba was a most courageous woman who rescued her baby nephew Joash from death at the hand of Athaliah and kept the Davidic lineage alive. (See Youngblood.)

B. Jehoida was a righteous priest who hid the infant Joash and, when Joash was seven (7) years of age, anointed him king of Judah. Thereafter, Jehoiada was a righteous advisor for Joash until Jehoiada died. (Youngblood)

C. May the Lord raise up unnumbered hosts of his servants made in the mold of Jehosheba and Jehoiada!

V. she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him.

A. 2 Kings 11:1-3, When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line. So Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and sneaked him



away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So he was hidden from Athaliah and escaped execution. He hid out with his nurse in the Lord’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET)

B. Brave, courageous, righteous, devoted to preserving the lineage of David and the coming Messiah, thanks be to God for Jehoiada and Jehosheba.

2 Chronicles 22:12, He remained in hiding in God’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land. (NET) I. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six (6) 0 years while Athaliah ruled the land.

A. 2 Chronicles 24:1, Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. He reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother was Zibiah, who was from Beer Sheba. (NET)

B. Joash, in the care of the high priest, was hidden among the priestly children in the house of God, the sanctuary of God, . . .

1. To this sacred place profane Athaliah had no access.

2. 1 Kings 6:5-10, He built an extension all around the walls of the temple’s main hall and holy place and constructed side rooms in it. The bottom floor of the extension was seven and a



half feet wide, the middle floor nine feet wide, and the third floor ten and a half feet wide. He made ledges on the temple’s outer walls so the beams would not have to be inserted into the walls. As the temple was being built, only stones shaped at the quarry were used; the sound of hammers, pickaxes, or any other iron tool was not heard at the temple while it was being built. The entrance to the bottom level of side rooms was on the south side of the temple; stairs went up to the middle floor and then on up to the third floor. He finished building the temple and covered it with rafters and boards made of cedar. He built an extension all around the temple; it was seven and a half feet high and it was attached to the temple by cedar beams. (NET)

3. 2 Kings 11:21, Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign. (NET)

Conclusion: I. Ahaziah became king of Judah upon the death of Jehoram, his brothers having been killed at the hands of the Arabs.

A. Ahaziah was only twenty-two (22) years of age at his coronation and he ruled eight (8) years.

B. Young and impressionable, Athaliah, the wicked “queen mother”, encouraged Ahaziah in doing wrong.



C. Among these evils was following in the ways of and forming alliances with the house of Ahab.

D. Ahaziah’s friendship with Joram led to his and Joram’s deaths at the hands of Jehu.

II. No proper successor for Ahaziah was available because wicked Athaliah had killed all eligible heirs to the throne . . . except for the child Joash who was hidden and cared for by Jehoiada the priest.

A. Evil Athaliah ruled for six years and was deposed when Jehoida anointed Joash king.



Questions

2 Chronicles 22:1-12 1. How came Ahaziah to become king of Judah? What circumstances led to his coronation? _______________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. How old was Ahaziah when he began to reign? ____________ How long did he reign? ____________ Explain any discrepancies in regard to those numbers. How long was he king? __________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What wicked things did Ahaziah do? _____________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What caused Ahaziah to do wickedly? ____________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Who was Athaliah? Describe her character. List her evil deeds. Whatever became of her? _______________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Who was Jehu? Describe his life, deeds and character? How did his life interact with Ahaziah, Athaliah and Joram/Jehoram? _ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. How did Athaliah become ruler of Judah? By what right did she assume the throne? How long did she reign? Describe her tenure in office. _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Who were Jehosheba, Joash and Jehoiada? What kind of people were they? How did they change the history of Judah and the world? ____________________________________________



_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. When is it right and when is it wrong to disobey rulers? _____ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. What lessons have you learned from this study of 2 Chronicles 22 which will change your life for the better? _______ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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