In 2 Kings 11, we learn about an evil Monarch called Athaliah, who desired to kill all the royal seed from David. After seeing her son Ahaziah had died, she was so upset that she didn’t anyone who was of the royal of David to survive. In her anger, she almost exterminated all the royal sons of the former king and relatives who were left in the palace. However, a lady named Jehosheba changed this evil outcome and snatched Joash from her grasp and hid him. She saw what Athaliah was doing and 1“took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.” (2 Kings 11:2,3) So where did this young lad spend his next six years? In the house of the lord, of course. Wow. And having been raised by the high priests, his upcoming was very good among the circumstances. Now, in 1“the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord, and shewed them the king’s son.” (2 Kings 11:4) They then kept watch over him day and night, so that no evil would fall upon the king, because of someone breaking in. This was all orchestrated by Jehoiada the priest. 1“And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.” (2 Kings 11:11) Therefore, he was safe and David’s royal seed was protected.
It was then that Jehoash became seven years old, and the unthinkable happened. He became king. It is recorded that the guard 1“brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the Lord. And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.” (2 Kings 11:12,14) You see, Athaliah was the ruling Monarch or queen at the time, and the people and priests of the temple were replacing her with this young lad. You could see how upset she would be. However, her displeasure would soon end, for she was then killed and died. Then, soon after this, 1“all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord.” (2 Kings 11:18) Now, the breaking down of the altars of Baal was wonderful, especially since all the people were for the destruction of it. Even Jehoash began to reign as king and do as God commanded, as you will read in the next chapter. Now, praise God that the royal seed of David was preserved through him, however. God be praised for Jehosheba and Jehosheba who raised Jehoash up to know God. We can do the same by raising our children to know and follow the Lord God also.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will have compassion in their hearts to help individuals who are lost and hurting. This world we live in is in dire straights, where darkness has filled the earth. Only by Your light beaming into people’s lives, can new life be restored unto them. Even by Your majestic power, can broken lives be restored in full. I believe in You, Lord. Your ways are higher. I just pray that more people would be willing to take a stand for You in these dark times that we live in. This means walking out our faith and not just saying that we believe. That all people that say they believe in You will go forth and be a light unto this lost generation. People need to know that as Christians, we are made different in Christ the Lord. Our lives are set apart for a greater purpose, and this is to know You and do Your will instead of the world. We can be guided, but only if You have us by the hand. We can make it through difficult times, but only if You are supplying our peace that we need each day. Storms will come and make life difficult for everyone, it just matters if You are there with us, so that things will be easier to bear. As for me, I trust in You. You are the rock of my salvation. To know You, Jesus, is all I desire. To live out what You have called me to is all that I desire to do and accomplish. May Your thoughts become my thoughts. May Your commands become even more sweeter to my taste, as life goes on. I love Your ways, but I pay that I will love them even more, as to serve You more diligently than I ever have in the past. Keep my life unspotted from the evils of this world, while giving me over to that is which is pure and holy. I love You, Lord. I give You praise and glory, this day and forever. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
