Summary:
Athaliah and Joash
Verses 1-21
(From chapter 22: Athaliah had been in power for 6 years, while Joash was hidden in the Lord's temple.)
In the 7th year, Jehoiada the priest and uncle of Joash showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri. They all went to unite the Levites from Judah and the heads of the Israelite families from all other towns and went to Jerusalem. All of them made a covenant with the king at the Lord's temple.
Jehoiada spoke to the people. Joash would reign as God had promised, in regards to David's descendants. 1/3 of the priests and Levites going on duty on the Sabbath would keep watch at the doors. 1/3 of them would be stationed at the royal palace and another 1/3 at the Foundation Gate. All other men would be in the courtyards of the Lord's temple. No one was to enter the temple, except the priests and Levites on duty, because they were consecrated. Levites were to station around the king, with their weapons, and kill those that entered. They were to stay close to the king.
Everyone did as Jehoiada had ordered. Those on and off duty went to work. Jehoiada gave the spears, large and small shields, that had been David's and were placed in God's temple, to the commanders. They were stationed around the king near the altar and temple, from the south to the north sides of the temple.
Jehoiada and his sons brought Joash out and crowned him. They presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, " 'Long live the king!' " (Verse 11b) Athaliah heard the noise and went to investigate. All the people, including the trumpeters, were rejoicing and playing music, in praise. Athaliah tore her robe and shouted, " 'Treason! Treason!' " (Verse 13b) Jehoiada sent the commanders and told them to take her outside, killing anyone that followed her. They were not to kill her in the temple. So, they took her to the Horse Gate, at the palace grounds, and put her to death.
Jehoiada, the king, and the people made a covenant to be God's people. They tore down the temple of Baal. They smashed the altars and idols, killing Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. Jehoiada placed the Levite priests, whom David had assigned to the temple, in charge. They were to present the burnt offerings, according to the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had instructed. He stationed doorkeepers at the gates of the Lord's temple, so no unclean person could enter.
The commanders, nobles, and rulers brought the king from the temple to the palace, through the Upper Gate. They seated him on the throne and everyone rejoiced. The city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain by the sword.
Lori's Thoughts:
I knew God had something incredible planned! A few people is all it took. A few loyal to the Creator rose up and fought for their faith. They reclaimed themselves as His chosen people. They united Israel, not just Judah.
Living for God is not for the idle or weak. If we stand, we build up our faith. If we move, we act out in faith. We defend ourselves and His people. We take the offensive against God's enemies. But, we do nothing without the direct instructions from God. To hear Him clearly, we must be that closely connected to Him.
Everyone had a job to do to make this revolution possible and successful.
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church, God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues." (I Corinthians 12:27-28)
You have a purpose, a special gift! You are being prepared for something amazing! Join in the revolution to revive the spirits of people. Show them Christ through your actions and in your life. Prepare their hearts to accept Him. He still knocks.
Let's all go Home!!!
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