Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Chapter twenty-one brings us the son of Jehoshaphat, who was named Jehoram. He was a wicked man. Killed his brothers to preserve his throne. He did evil and did not worship God. But God wasn’t willing to destroy Judah on account of His covenant with David. But Jehoram had trouble keeping his kingdom together. Edom revolted. Libnah revolted. The Philistines were stirred up. So were the Arabians who were near the Cushites. They even raided his palace and took off all his sons and wives who were there (except one grown son). It all happened because Jehoram led the people astray in idol worship. It happened because he exposed his nation to danger because he did not keep covenant or worship God. He only ruled eight years, dying from a horrible physical disease. They buried him in Jerusalem, but NOT in the tombs of the kings.

Chapter twenty-two sees the one remaining son of Jehoram take the throne. Ahaziah was a man like his father. He was led by his mother to follow after idols. He turned to Ahab’s house for advice on how to live and rule. He ruled for a year. Because of his close ties to Ahab’s family, he went down to visit Joram when he was wounded. While there he was caught up in Jehu’s godly revolt against Joram and Ahab’s house and Ahaziah was killed. His wicked mother seized the throne. She killed off all the royal family she could find so that there were no claimants to the throne, no matter how small. But one of Jehoram’s daughters took a baby son – who had NOT been in the palace when it was raided – and hid him. He lived in the Temple for six years while the wicked mother, Athaliah, ruled the land.

Chapter twenty-three is six years later, or when the child was seven years old. Jehoiada, the high priest, made a covenant with the priests and the Levites. They were tired of Athaliah’s rule and wanted a godly ruler again. They took up arms and guarded the child, brought him to the Temple courts, and anointed him king over Judah. Athaliah was seized and executed. Temple worship was restored and they put the child on the throne. The people rejoiced when it happened and peace came to the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter twenty-four is the rule of Joash. He did good things in God’s eyes throughout the life of his counsellor, Jehoiada. He restored and repaired the Temple. He made good judgments. But then Jehoiada died. Other officials came to advise Joash. And he listened to them. They abandoned the temple and turned to idolatry. Zechariah rose up and prophesied to them about the evilness of their actions, warning them about leaving God’s blessing. They killed him. They did not repent or alter their actions. The Arameans rose up and invaded. They sacked Jerusalem, killed all the evil officials, and sent all the plunder to the king of Damascus. Joash survived the invasion, but his own servants plotted against him and killed him in his bed. He was NOT buried in the tombs of the kings. Joash’s son Amaziah took the throne.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Jehoida, Joash, the Jews.

Key Verse(s): 2 Chronicles 21:1-7; 22:10-12, 23:11-17; 24:17-22