Summary:
Ahaziah King of Judah
Verses 1-9
The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, the youngest son of Jehoram, king of Judah. The Arabs had killed all the older sons. He was 22 years old when he became king. He reigned for 1 year. His mother was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri. He did evil in God's eyes, encouraged by his mother to follow the ways of Ahab. Ahab's house became his advisers which led to his demise.
Ahaziah went with Joram, the son of Ahab king of Israel, to war with Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram who went back to Jezreel to recover. Ahaziah visited Joram and God brought about his downfall. They both went down to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom God had anointed to destroy Ahab's house. While executing judgment of Ahab's house, Jehu saw the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's relatives who were attending Ahaziah. Jehu killed them, then he went out after Ahaziah. Jehu's men captured him when he was hiding in Samaria. They brought him to Jehu and put him to death. They buried him because he was a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought after God's heart. No one in Ahaziah's house was strong enough to retain the kingdom.
Athaliah and Joash
Verses 10-12
Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that he was dead. She then proceeded to destroy the royal family of Judah's house. Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, wife of the priest Jehoiada, and sister to Ahaziah took Joash, Ahaziah's son, and hid him and his nurse in a bedroom. She did this because his brothers were about to be murdered. Joash remained hidden in the temple of God for 6 years while Athaliah ruled.
Lori's Thoughts:
This story is a good example of the influence others can have on us. In yesterday's entry, we discussed how a student is like his teacher and a servant is like his master. The head of the household was now Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother. She was bent on destroying Judah's line.
However, amidst all this destruction of God's people, forces of good were at work. I'm sure the devil was working to cut off Judah's line, because Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Satan was messing with the Master's plan. But, God cannot be deceived. He had Jehu tear down the stronghold that was Ahab's family, who had so malinfluenced (a word I just made up) God's people. Unfortunately, some from Judah's line were so corrupt that they received the same judgment.
Satan moved Athaliah to remove any future kings of Judah. God moved Jehosheba to protect the line. I bet her marriage to the priest Jehoiada helped her to be connected to God and His will. Although evil reigned for six years, I bet Joash, whom Jehosheba had protected, was being prepared in God's temple to restore Judah back in their faith and covenant with God.
As Christians, we must be willing to act and fight if God tells us to. The war between good and evil continuously rages. Satan still tries to conquer God's children. He will succeed unless we are rooted in God.
Now, sometimes it may seem that evil has won. We may be led to believe that God is absent. Have a little faith. He may be working in secret, preparing someone to be a great leader, while slowly, but surely, demolishing evil.
God is working for the good of those that love Him (see Romans 8:28). Have a little faith and patience.
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