Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Chronicles 19-23.
Part of today’s reading describes a tumultuous period in the history of Judah. Jehoram reigned for eight years before dying of sickness (21:5, 18-19). He was such a miserable king that “he departed with no one’s regret” (21:20). His youngest son, Ahaziah succeeded him after his older sons were killed (22:1). Ahaziah reigned for one year before being put to death by Jehu (22:2, 7-9). The killing of Ahaziah came as a result of God’s commission to Jehu to “cut off the house of Ahab” (22:7).
Ahab had been the king of Israel. But Ahaziah was the son of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah – not to be confused with another Ahaziah, Ahab’s son who reigned for two years over Israel (1 Kings 22:40). How was Ahaziah, king of Judah, connected to the house of Ahab? By marriage (2 Chronicles 18:1).
“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned on year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri” (22:2).
Omri, of course, was Ahab’s father (1 Kings 16:28). This would make Athaliah Ahab’s daughter, and Ahaziah, king of Judah, Ahab’s grandson.
When Jehu killed Ahaziah, Athaliah “destroyed all the royal offspring of the house of Judah” (22:10) and reigned for six years (22:12). However, one of the king’s sons, Joash, was hidden and spared from execution (22:11).
In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest determined to make Joash king. The reason why he did this was not simply to be rebellious, but because it was the will of God.
“Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, ‘Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the Lord has spoken concerning the sons of David’” (23:3).
As could be expected, Athaliah was not happy with this act of rebellion against her.
“When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came into the house of the Lord to the people. She looked, and behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters were beside the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets, and singers with their musical instruments leading the praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, ‘Treason! Treason!’” (23:12-13).
At this point, Jehoiada had Athaliah and her followers put to death (23:14-15).
This account is not only an interesting bit of history, but it contains an important reminder to us. Jehoiada was carrying out God’s will. But the head of the civil authority thought him to be rebellious and engaged in treason.
In our service to God, we may be forced to act contrary to the will of the powers that be. If this is the case, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). They may cry, “Treason!” In their eyes that may be true. But we must carry out God’s will, no matter what others, even those in power, think of it.
Tomorrow’s reading: Obadiah 1; Psalm 82-83
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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