2 Kings 11

The line of the kings of Judah had become mixed with the heritage of Ahab and Jezebel, the corrupt rulers of northern Israel. That period of close connection between the kings of the south and the kings of the north had led to the death of Ahaziah of Judah. When the king's mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was gone, she quickly took steps to consolidate power through the murder of her own descendents. In a shocking and despicable turn of events, this murderous woman ruled over Jerusalem, supposing that she had ended the line of the royal sons of David.

But Ahaziah's sister had saved one baby boy from Athaliah's edict. Little Joash (also known as Jehoash) was protected through six years of strict secrecy. At just the right time, according to the careful direction of Jehoiada the priest, seven-year old Joash, heir to the throne of David, was revealed to the Lord's people.

While the people shouted, “Long live the king,” Athaliah yelled out, “Treason!” She had come to see herself as the true power in Jerusalem and judged that all who stood in her way were dangerous to her own version of a rightly ordered world. Jehoiada and the captains over the army understood the true way of the Lord far better than this usurping queen.

Athaliah was quickly put to death, and the crown rested on the head of little Joash under the guardianship of Jehoiada, who was loyal to the Lord. This priest moved forward to restore spiritual order in Jerusalem, executing God's vengeance against those who were committed to the worship of false gods.

Jehoiada also made a covenant between the Lord, the young king, and the people. This covenant was their pledge of obedience to God, “... that they should be the Lord's people.” It was also a solemn agreement between the people and the king, reestablishing the rightful reign of a son of David over the city where King Solomon had built a holy temple to the Lord.

The unholy influence of the kings of northern Israel on the descendants of David had led to an evil woman taking over all authority in Jerusalem, a “queen” who had no love for the Lord and who did not even value the lives of her own children and grandchildren. All she knew was power and the blindness of idolatry. With a vigorous commitment to her own sovereignty, she was willing to kill anyone who stood in her way.

But the Lord had a better plan for His people. Though even a grandmother might lose all tenderness toward the little ones who came from her own family line, God would never abandon His promises and His chosen people. He has brought us a very great salvation through the provision of Jesus, our holy King.