APRIL 10 2 KINGS 9-12

2 Kings 9-12

Once Elisha fades from the scene, keeping track of the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah gets challenging, especially when they share the same name. The 8th king of Israel was Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, who reigned for just two years, serving Baal just like his mom (Jezebel), and dying from injuries he received in an accident: he fell through the lattice in his upper room (2 Kings 1). Around 11 years later, another Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram, began to reign in Judah. He was killed because he was friends with Joram, king of Israel. How did this happen?

God had had enough of Israel’s Baal worship (and God wasn’t so happy with Judah’s Baal worship, either!) So, Elisha called a young prophet to pay a quick visit to the commanders of Israel’s army. Elisha instructed him to anoint Jehu king, tell him to strike down Ahab’s household, and then run! Once Jehu is anointed and proclaimed king, he begins a house-cleaning like Israel had never seen. All Ahab’s family is destroyed, including Jezebel. The image her putting on make-up, just before being tossed out her window, is striking (2 Kings 9:30-37). Because Judah’s king Ahaziah is visiting his buddy, Joram, they are both killed when Jehu arrives. After Jehu has assassinated the kings of Israel and Judah, Jezebel, and all the descendants of Ahab, he strikes down the prophets of Baal using a cunning ruse. Despite this zeal, Jehu never disposed of the golden calves Jeroboam set up in Dan and Bethel.

When Judah’s Ahaziah is killed, his mother, Athaliah, seizes power. No sooner had Jehu disposed of one wicked queen (Jezebel) in the north, another wicked queen springs up in the south, killing most of her family to do so. Only one infant grandson, Joash, was saved from Athaliah’s wrath. Six years later, when Joash was seven, the high priest, Jehoiada, was able to crown the boy king and execute the wicked grandmother. 

As king, Joash “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days.” Forty years he reigned, and the repair of the temple was one of his greatest works. In my home church, Salem E. U. B. Church in Barrington, Illinois, there was an offering box in the narthex for the building fund. They named it the “Joash Box” after a box fashioned by Joash’ high priest for collecting building offerings (2 Kings 12:9f). 

Sadly, but not surprisingly, a conspiracy of his servants led to Joash’ death.

Until Tomorrow,
Pastor Gary