Today I read 2 Chronicles 22 and 23, in which Ahaziah, king of Judah, only reigned one year, Athaliah murdered the royal family, but David’s line was saved by Jehoshabeath. Today I considered that we need to be careful about being around people with enemies, God continues to keep His promises, and the love and dedication of an aunt saved David’s line.
Be Careful of Other People’s Enemies
King Ahaziah went to another kingdom to aid the king of Israel and was killed (2 Chronicles 22:1-9). Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram and Athaliah, became king of Judah. He committed evil, like his parents and Ahab the king of Israel. Ahab’s son Jehoram was the current king of Israel. Ahaziah joined with Jehoram to war against Syria. God had Jehu anointed to pass judgment on Ahab’s line. When Jehu was destroying Ahab’s line, he found Ahaziah and other princes of Judah. Jehu killed them and buried Ahaziah. We have to be careful of the company we keep or the people we are around so we do not end up being targeted by their enemies.
Saving David’s Line
The future king was saved from death, hidden, and restored to the throne (2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21). After her son Ahaziah died, Athaliah killed the royals of Judah and reigned over the land. King Jehoram’s daughter Jehoshabeath saved Ahaziah’s son Joash by hiding him. Jehoshabeath and her priest husband Jehoiada hid Joash for six years in God’s house. In the seventh year, Jehoiada had the captains of the hundreds, the Levites, and chief fathers of Israel come to Jerusalem and pledge that David’s son would reign as God had promised. They planned for safety and anointed Joash king. Athaliah heard and came to the temple. They took her away and killed her. Jehoiada made a covenant with the people and the king to be God’s people. They tore down the house of Baal and killed Baal’s priest. Jehoiada appointed officers for the temple, made offering to God, and had Joash go to sit on the throne of the kingdom. God keeps his promises even when difficulties come just like he kept his promise to David through the works of God’s people.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
This event does not show the emotion I imagine that was going on at that time (2 Chronicles 22:10-12). A mother Athaliah lost her son and went on a killing spree even killing her grandchildren. A sister Jehoshabeath lost her brother and other relatives and had to choose which child to save. This loving and dedicated aunt Jehoshabeath risked her life and her husband’s life to save her brother’s son, and they kept him hidden for six years.
Have you heard of anyone or know anyone who had enough love and dedication in their heart to hide someone for years to save their life?