Wednesday, October 30 – 2 Chronicles 22, 23 – Additional Reading: Prophets and Kings, Chapter 16, “The Fall of the House of Ahab”

1. Who ruled in Judah when Ahaziah was killed? (2 Chronicles 22:12)

2. Which priest dared to oppose Athaliah? (2 Chronicles 23:1)

3. Which son of Ahaziah was saved by his sister to become king of Judah? (2 Chronicles 22:11)

Commentary and Reflection:

We are reading about a time of great apostasy, sin, and violence in the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The king of Judah, Ahaziah, was under the influence of Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, because his mother, Athaliah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Although verse 2 states that Athaliah was the daughter of Omri, he was her grandfather; Omri was Ahab’s father and the dynasty’s founder. Ahaziah followed the evil counsel of his mother and his uncle, Joram, the king of Israel.

Athaliah was a godless woman, just as ambitious and power-hungry as her mother, Jezebel. Jezebel, the pagan wife of Ahab, king of Israel, was known for her ruthless ways. In a similar fashion, Athaliah wasn’t content with being the power behind the throne. When she saw that her son had died, she orchestrated the massacre of the royal family to seize the throne for herself.

God-fearing people believed that all was lost during this dark time. It was a period of deep spiritual and political crisis, and the dynasty of David was only preserved through the courageous actions of a few individuals. At first glance, these actions appeared to be isolated and desperate efforts with little chance of success, but God’s hand was behind the scenes. Even when evil appears to have triumphed, and all hope seems lost, we can trust that God is still in control. In His perfect time, He will act to restore righteousness and fulfill His promises.

Jehosheba, daughter of Ahaziah and sister of Joash, played a crucial role in preserving the Davidic line. She hid her nephew Joash to save him from Athaliah’s murderous plot, ensuring that the line of David would continue. Athaliah ruled over Judah for six years as an illegitimate queen, for she was not a part of Judah’s royal lineage.

In the seventh year, the high priest Jehoiada courageously organized a revolt against Athaliah. The people responded, and with great caution and careful planning, Joash, the rightful heir, was placed on the throne of Judah.

Athaliah was bold and defiant to the end. When she heard the noise of the celebration, she went to the temple to investigate. Seeing the people rejoicing in their liberation, she cried, “Treason! Treason!” She accused Jehoiada and the people of the very crime she had committed. Athaliah was the true usurper. She had caused the death of her son and massacred the royal family to seize power. She ruled through fear and bloodshed, a reign marked by cruelty and terror. There was no need to argue with her; evil gains ground when the righteous waste time arguing with it. Athaliah was executed as soon as she was taken out of the temple, and with her death, the rightful kingdom of Judah was restored.

“Thus perished the last member of the house of Ahab. The terrible evil that had been wrought through his alliance with Jezebel, continued till the last of his descendants was destroyed. Even in the land of Judah, where the worship of the true God had never been formally set aside, Athaliah had succeeded in seducing many. Immediately after the execution of the impenitent queen “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.” Verse 18.” Prophets and Kings 216

“Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, the people, and the king, that they should be the Lord’s people” (2 Chronicles 23:16).

Let us affirm today that we are the people of God. Do not lose heart when evil seems to triumph. God watches over His people, and in due time, He will raise His chosen instruments to bring justice.