II Kings 11: A Kingdom Preserved
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, 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.
And 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.
And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king.
And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields, that were in the temple of the Lord.
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.
And he 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.
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord’s people; between the king also and the people.
And 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.
And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the Lord, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king’s house.
Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
II Kings 11 recounts a dramatic episode in the history of Judah, a story of treachery, divine providence, and the restoration of rightful rule. This chapter unveils a critical juncture where the Davidic line, threatened with extinction, is miraculously preserved through courage, loyalty, and the unwavering hand of God.
Athaliah's Treachery and Joash's Rescue (II Kings 11:1-3)
Following Jehu's devastating purge of Ahab's family in the northern kingdom of Israel, the repercussions reached even into Judah. Athaliah, a figure of immense danger, emerges as the central antagonist. As the mother of King Ahaziah (who had been killed by Jehu) and, significantly, the daughter of the infamous Ahab and Jezebel, Athaliah embodied the corrupting influence of Baal worship within Judah. Seizing the opportunity presented by Ahaziah's death, she ruthlessly sought to eliminate all the royal heirs, intending to usurp the throne for herself (II Kings 11:1). Her ambition knew no bounds, and the kingdom teetered on the brink of disaster.
However, God's providential care intervened through an unlikely heroine: Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister. Displaying remarkable courage and loyalty, she rescued Ahaziah's infant son, Joash, from Athaliah's murderous rampage. Jehosheba, along with her husband, the priest Jehoiada, concealed the young prince within the temple for six years, shielding him from Athaliah's grasp (II Kings 11:2-3). This act of bravery ensured the survival of the Davidic lineage, a lineage promised an eternal throne. During those six years, Athaliah reigned wickedly, leading Judah astray with her devotion to Baal.
Jehoiada's Plan and the Overthrow of Athaliah (II Kings 11:4-16)
In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, the high priest Jehoiada recognized that the time for action had come. He was a man of faith and courage, and he understood the importance of restoring righteous rule to Judah. Jehoiada carefully orchestrated a plan to overthrow Athaliah and reinstate the rightful heir, Joash. He gathered a trusted group of men, including the commanders of the Carites and the guards, revealing to them the existence of Joash and his rightful claim to the throne (II Kings 11:4).
Jehoiada meticulously planned the coup, dividing his loyal forces into three groups to secure the temple, the palace, and to protect the young king (II Kings 11:5-7). He armed them with weapons that had belonged to King David, a powerful symbol of legitimacy and divine favor. The high priest commanded that anyone attempting to breach their ranks should be put to death, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the determination to succeed (II Kings 11:8).
With the stage set and the loyal men in position (II Kings 11:9-11), Jehoiada brought forth young Joash, placing the crown upon his head and anointing him as king. The assembled crowd erupted in joyous shouts: "Long live the king!" (II Kings 11:12). The commotion drew Athaliah to the temple, precisely as Jehoiada had anticipated. Upon witnessing Joash, whom she believed to be dead, Athaliah cried out, "Treason! Treason!" (II Kings 11:14). Her accusation, however, rang hollow, given her own treacherous acts of murdering the royal heirs.
It was too late for Athaliah. The commanders, loyal to the rightful king, seized her and led her to the palace entrance, where she was executed, bringing an end to her reign of terror (II Kings 11:15-16).
Covenant Renewal and the Restoration of True Worship (II Kings 11:17-21)
The aftermath of Athaliah's demise was marked by a renewed commitment to the Lord. The people of Judah, weary of Athaliah's wickedness and her promotion of Baal worship, were ready for a return to the true God. Jehoiada led the people in making a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people, reaffirming their faithfulness to God (II Kings 11:17).
The people demonstrated their sincerity by tearing down the temple of Baal, smashing its altars and images, and killing Mattan, the priest of Baal (II Kings 11:18). This act of righteous zeal signified a decisive rejection of idolatry and a wholehearted return to the worship of Yahweh. With order restored and true worship re-established, Joash, a mere seven years old, was officially enthroned, ushering in a new era for Judah (II Kings 11:19, 21).
II Kings 11 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His promises. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, God's plan prevails through the courage and obedience of individuals who are willing to stand for what is right. This chapter also highlights the importance of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God. Just as Judah experienced restoration through repentance and a renewed commitment to the Lord, so too can we experience His blessings when we remain faithful to Him.
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, 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.
And 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.
And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king.
And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields, that were in the temple of the Lord.
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.
And he 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.
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord’s people; between the king also and the people.
And 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.
And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the Lord, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king’s house.
Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
II Kings 11 recounts a dramatic episode in the history of Judah, a story of treachery, divine providence, and the restoration of rightful rule. This chapter unveils a critical juncture where the Davidic line, threatened with extinction, is miraculously preserved through courage, loyalty, and the unwavering hand of God.
Athaliah's Treachery and Joash's Rescue (II Kings 11:1-3)
Following Jehu's devastating purge of Ahab's family in the northern kingdom of Israel, the repercussions reached even into Judah. Athaliah, a figure of immense danger, emerges as the central antagonist. As the mother of King Ahaziah (who had been killed by Jehu) and, significantly, the daughter of the infamous Ahab and Jezebel, Athaliah embodied the corrupting influence of Baal worship within Judah. Seizing the opportunity presented by Ahaziah's death, she ruthlessly sought to eliminate all the royal heirs, intending to usurp the throne for herself (II Kings 11:1). Her ambition knew no bounds, and the kingdom teetered on the brink of disaster.
However, God's providential care intervened through an unlikely heroine: Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister. Displaying remarkable courage and loyalty, she rescued Ahaziah's infant son, Joash, from Athaliah's murderous rampage. Jehosheba, along with her husband, the priest Jehoiada, concealed the young prince within the temple for six years, shielding him from Athaliah's grasp (II Kings 11:2-3). This act of bravery ensured the survival of the Davidic lineage, a lineage promised an eternal throne. During those six years, Athaliah reigned wickedly, leading Judah astray with her devotion to Baal.
Jehoiada's Plan and the Overthrow of Athaliah (II Kings 11:4-16)
In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, the high priest Jehoiada recognized that the time for action had come. He was a man of faith and courage, and he understood the importance of restoring righteous rule to Judah. Jehoiada carefully orchestrated a plan to overthrow Athaliah and reinstate the rightful heir, Joash. He gathered a trusted group of men, including the commanders of the Carites and the guards, revealing to them the existence of Joash and his rightful claim to the throne (II Kings 11:4).
Jehoiada meticulously planned the coup, dividing his loyal forces into three groups to secure the temple, the palace, and to protect the young king (II Kings 11:5-7). He armed them with weapons that had belonged to King David, a powerful symbol of legitimacy and divine favor. The high priest commanded that anyone attempting to breach their ranks should be put to death, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the determination to succeed (II Kings 11:8).
With the stage set and the loyal men in position (II Kings 11:9-11), Jehoiada brought forth young Joash, placing the crown upon his head and anointing him as king. The assembled crowd erupted in joyous shouts: "Long live the king!" (II Kings 11:12). The commotion drew Athaliah to the temple, precisely as Jehoiada had anticipated. Upon witnessing Joash, whom she believed to be dead, Athaliah cried out, "Treason! Treason!" (II Kings 11:14). Her accusation, however, rang hollow, given her own treacherous acts of murdering the royal heirs.
It was too late for Athaliah. The commanders, loyal to the rightful king, seized her and led her to the palace entrance, where she was executed, bringing an end to her reign of terror (II Kings 11:15-16).
Covenant Renewal and the Restoration of True Worship (II Kings 11:17-21)
The aftermath of Athaliah's demise was marked by a renewed commitment to the Lord. The people of Judah, weary of Athaliah's wickedness and her promotion of Baal worship, were ready for a return to the true God. Jehoiada led the people in making a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people, reaffirming their faithfulness to God (II Kings 11:17).
The people demonstrated their sincerity by tearing down the temple of Baal, smashing its altars and images, and killing Mattan, the priest of Baal (II Kings 11:18). This act of righteous zeal signified a decisive rejection of idolatry and a wholehearted return to the worship of Yahweh. With order restored and true worship re-established, Joash, a mere seven years old, was officially enthroned, ushering in a new era for Judah (II Kings 11:19, 21).
II Kings 11 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His promises. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, God's plan prevails through the courage and obedience of individuals who are willing to stand for what is right. This chapter also highlights the importance of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God. Just as Judah experienced restoration through repentance and a renewed commitment to the Lord, so too can we experience His blessings when we remain faithful to Him.