Thoughts
Chronicles 21
Jehoshaphat dies, and Jehoram becomes king. He kills all his brothers and some princes of Israel to secure his spot on the throne.
He reigns eight years in Jerusalem and marries Ahab’s daughter. He follows the ways of the kings of Israel. Unfortunately he leads Judah into idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness.
Despite Jehoram’s evil, the Lord does not destroy Judah because of His covenant with David.
Edom rebels against Judah’s rule and establishes its own king. Libnah also revolts because Jehoram abandoned the Lord.
Prophet Elijah sends a letter to Jehoram (even though he mainly spoke in Israel) rebuking him for:
- Killing his brothers.
- Leading Judah astray.
- He declares God’s judgment:
- His family and possessions will be struck.
- He will suffer a terrible intestinal disease.
- ((By the time of Jehoram’s reign, Elijah may have already been taken up to heaven (see 2 Kings 2). That means the writer is either referring to a letter written before Elijah’s departure and delivered later, or this is a posthumous message, or a different Elijah))
Some enemies invade: Philistines and Arabs attack.They carry off Jehoram’s family and possessions. Only his youngest son Jehoahaz (Ahaziah) remains.
Jehoram suffers the prophesied bowel disease for two years until his intestines come out and he dies in agony. No one mourns for him. He is not buried in the tombs of the kings.
Chronicles 22
The people of Jerusalem make Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, king (since the they killed his older brothers). Ahaziah was 22 years old when he began to reign and ruled only one year in Jerusalem.
His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri (Ahab’s father).
Ahaziah walked in the ways of Ahab’s house, influenced by his mother’s wicked advice. He did evil in the sight of the Lord.
He joined Joram (Jehoram) of Israel, Ahab’s son, in battle against Hazael, king of Aram (Syria), at Ramoth-Gilead. Joram is wounded and returns to Jezreel to recover. Ahaziah visits him there.
When Ahaziah visits Joram, he gets caught up in Jehu’s uprising (the one God ordained to destroy Ahab’s house). Jehu kills both Joram and Ahaziah.
Ahaziah’s body is buried because people recognized he was the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord.
When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, sees her son is dead, she kills the entire royal family so she can reign.
Jehoshabeath, Ahaziah’s sister, hides Joash (Ahaziah’s infant son) and his nurse in a bedroom.They remain hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah rules the land.
Chronicles 23
In the seventh year of Athaliah’s rule, Jehoiada the priest (Jehoshabeath’s husband) forms a covenant with military captains and assembles Levites and leaders from all Judah.They travel to Jerusalem and make a covenant in the house of God to reestablish the king’s line.
Jehoiada declares that Joash, the son of Ahaziah, is the rightful king, as God promised concerning David’s descendants.
He gives detailed instructions:
- One-third of the priests and Levites are to guard the temple entrances.
- One-third will guard the king’s palace.
- One-third will guard the Foundation Gate.
- No one should enter the temple except the priests and Levites on duty.
- The Levites are to surround the king with weapons, ready to defend him.
The Levites and officials equip themselves with King David’s spears and shields, stored in the temple. Jehoiada and his sons bring out Joash, place the crown on him, give him the testimony (likely the Law), and anoint him.
Athaliah hears the noise of the people and rushes to the temple.Jehoiada orders the captains to seize her and execute her outside the temple grounds.
Jehoiada makes a covenant declaring that they will be the Lord’s people again. The people destroy the temple of Baal, break its altars and idols, and kill Mattan, Baal’s priest.
Jehoiada brings back temple duties according to David’s instructions Joash is crowned king.
Questions
How did the letter come from Elijah if he had gone up to Heaven? Was this a different Elijah?
How was Joash kept a secret?
Why did they keep going back to idolatry? What did Baal do for them?
Application
Athaliah killed the (almost) entire royal family and took over the throne. At first glance, it looked like God’s promise to David had failed. However, behind the scenes Joash was being raised to bring her down. Even when it seems like evil has won, God’s promises are still alive. Sometimes we can’t see His work in the moment, but we can trust that He has an ultimate plan for us.
Jo Reads The Bible 
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