The very evil Queen Athaliah was queen of Judah from 841–835 BC and THE ONLY QUEEN to sit on David’s throne in biblical history. Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel both extremely evil people, she was an enthusiastic Baal supporter (the universal god of fertility), Athaliah EXCEEDED THE WICKEDNESS of the kings who came before and after her. Ahaziah (Athaliah’s son) was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned ONE YEAR in Jerusalem and was killed.
“When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed ALL THE ROYAL HEIRS. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, TOOK JOASH THE SON OF AHAZIAH, and stole him away from among the king’s sons WHO WERE BEING MURDERED; and THEY HID HIM AND HIS NURSE IN THE BEDROOM, from Athaliah, so that HE WAS NOT KILLED. So, he was hidden with her in THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOR SIX YEARS, while Athaliah reigned over the land.” (2 Kings 11:1-3)
Jehoiada the priest decided the time had come to make JOASH THE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY, KING. He called the captains of the guard and influential Levites and other leaders of the people to come to Jerusalem. He LET THEM ALL IN ON THE SECRET that one of the king’s sons still lived, the rightful heir to the throne as A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF DAVID. The soldiers and the people agreed, under oath, to provide PROTECTION and SUPPORT for the king while he was being crowned and anointed in the temple.
Jehoiada said “…you shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within range, let him be put to death. You are to be with the king as he goes out and as he comes in.” So the captains of the hundreds DID ACCORDING TO ALL THAT JEHOIADA THE PRIEST COMMANDED. Each of them took his men who were to be on duty on the Sabbath, with those who were going off duty on the Sabbath and came to Jehoiada the priest.” (2 Kings 11:8-9) The Bible says, God is the One Who anoints kings, even though He typically uses a prophet to do so. Daniel understood this when he wrote “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2:21) God says, for it is “By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just…” (Proverbs 8:15)
“Then he (Jehoiada) took the captains of hundreds, the bodyguards, the escorts, and all the people of the land; and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD and went by way of the gate of the escorts to the king’s house. Then he (Joash) sat on the throne of the kings. So, all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet, for THEY HAD SLAIN ATHALIAH with the sword in the king’s house.” (2 Kings 11:19-20)
ALL THE PEOPLE WENT TO THE TEMPLE OF BAAL AND TORE IT DOWN. THEY THOROUGHLY BROKE IN PIECES ITS ALTARS AND IMAGES AND KILLED MATTAN THE PRIEST OF BAAL BEFORE THE ALTARS.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham