2 Kings 11:13 – 21 “When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD. And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.
Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”
And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” So they seized Athaliah as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.
So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD. He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD and entered the royal palace by way of the Gate of the Guards.
Then Joash took his seat on the royal throne, and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace. Joash was seven years old when he became king.”
Righteous Jehoiada, the high priest, has arranged a hasty coronation for Joash. Traditionally, kings of Judah were crowned by having them stand next to the king’s pillar in the temple. The high priest would then anoint the king, confirming his ascension to the throne, and trumpets would sound a fanfare. There might also be priests blowing shofars.
Athaliah, the pretender to the throne, is relaxing in the palace when she suddenly hears all kinds of noise in the temple next door. Trumpets and shofars are blowing, and people are shouting so loudly that the earth is shaking. Athaliah hops up off her luxurious couch and stalks out of the palace, entering the temple by the royal entrance. The sight that meets Athaliah’s eyes is the stuff of her worst nightmares. Jehoiada, the high priest, is standing at the king’s pillar with little Joash next to him. To make matters worse, Joash is wearing a simple crown, and all the people are screaming, “Long live King Joash! Long live the King! Hosannah!” Athaliah refuses to believe this is happening; tearing her clothes, she cries, “Treason! Treason!” But things soon get far worse for Athaliah.
As soon as Jehoiada sees Athaliah, he orders commanders of hundreds in charge of the army to drag Athaliah out of the temple and to kill anyone who tries to help her. Athaliah, meanwhile, has turned and is running back to the palace. The soldiers catch Athaliah just as she reaches the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds and kill her there, spilling her blood on the ground so that horses will trample it and dogs will lick it up. This daughter of wicked King Ahab who has schemed, murdered, manipulated, and terrorized the people of Judah has met a fitting end, one that was predicted by the prophet Elijah.
Jehoiada then proceeds to make a covenant between the people and the Lord, that they will be the Lord’s people. Fueled by a passion to see justice done, the people swarm to the temple of Baal and tear it down. The mob smashes the altars and idols to pieces and kills Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of his own altars. Joash ascends the throne, and all the people of Judah rejoice. There is peace in Jerusalem because Athaliah is no longer alive to practice her witchcraft and to terrorize people. King Joash is only seven years old, but Jehoiada is there to advise him. The nation draws a collective breath and sighs a sigh of relief.
APPLICATION: The Book of Proverbs Chapter 29 has many things to say about just and unjust rulers. V. 2 “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” V.4. “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.” V.12 “If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.” V. 14 “If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.” V. 16 “When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.”
Queen Athaliah seized power; however, she was never anointed of the Lord to rule. As a usurper, Athaliah felt that she did not need the blessing of God; after all, she was serving Baal and all kinds of other demons. In the end, Athaliah died a shameful death and people celebrated when she died. The only people who might have felt sorry about Athaliah’s death were her chosen assassins and other agents who had made become rich serving Athaliah. But even these people were probably relieved. Athaliah was a woman with a whim of iron, and nobody could predict her next target. Today you might be Athaliah’s favorite, but tomorrow, you might find yourself with a garrot wire around your neck or a knife between your shoulder blades, quietly dying in a corner.
What happened to bring Athaliah down? People prayed! As the high priest, Jehoiada had a calling to intercede for his nation. Rest assured that as a righteous man, Jehoiada would have prayed long and hard to counteract the floodtide of evil that Athaliah brought to Judah. There were probably others in Judah who were just as grieved by Athaliah’s wickedness and who were also interceding.
Jehoiada was undoubtedly a brilliant man and an excellent tactician, but without Jehosheba hiding Joash and his nurse in the first place, there would have been no legitimate heir to be crowned as king. It was prayer that gave Jehosheba the courage to keep moving Joash and his nurse around the palace one step ahead of Athaliah. It was prayer that gave Jehoiada the inspiration for the timing of Joash’s coronation. And it was prayer that caused the nation of Judah to accept a seven – year – old as king in the face of stern opposition from wicked Athaliah.
Nations may have changed and dynasties have crumbled, but God is still on the throne. Are you upset about recent events around the world? God is still answering prayer. The same God who protected Joash and Jehoiada and Jehosheba is still on the throne. Want things to change? PRAY!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to pray and not lose heart! Help us to remember that You work through answering our prayers. Encourage all who read these words. Thank you for sending Jesus to die as the blood offering for our sins so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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