# Overview 2 Kings Chapter 11 recounts the dramatic events surrounding the preservation and eventual ascension of #Joash to the throne of #Judah. Following the death of #Ahaziah, #Athaliah, his mother, seizes power by destroying all the royal heirs. However, #Joash, a young prince, is rescued by #Jehosheba, the sister of Ahaziah, and hidden in the #Temple of the Lord for six years, under the protection of #Jehoiada the priest. This act of divine providence ensures the Davidic line is not extinguished. The narrative highlights the faithfulness of #God in preserving His covenant with David, despite the adversities faced by his descendants. In the seventh year, #Jehoiada orchestrates a coup to overthrow the usurper #Athaliah and restore the rightful king. He gathers the commanders, guards, and Levites, making a covenant to protect #Joash. They anoint Joash as king and proclaim him with great rejoicing, signaling God's intervention in upholding His promises. When Athaliah hears the tumult, she enters the temple and is seized and executed, marking the end of her tyrannical reign. The chapter concludes with the people of Judah reaffirming their covenant with the Lord, dismantling the altars of #Baal, and reestablishing worship in the temple, signifying a return to faithfulness and divine order. ## Theological Insights In 2 Kings 11, we witness the divine preservation of the #DavidicLine through #Joash, highlighting God’s faithfulness to His covenant with #David. The chapter recounts how #Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, sought to destroy the royal family, yet #Joash is saved by #Jehosheba and hidden in the temple of the Lord for six years. This narrative underscores the theme of divine protection and the sovereignty of God in preserving His chosen line despite human attempts to thwart His plans. The chapter also emphasizes the role of faithful individuals, such as #Jehoiada the priest, who orchestrates the coup to restore the rightful king, aligning with God’s purposes. Jehoiada’s covenant renewal between the Lord, the king, and the people (2 Kings 11:17) signifies a return to covenant faithfulness and the reestablishment of worship in line with God’s commands. This act of covenant renewal echoes the broader biblical theme of covenantal faithfulness seen throughout the scriptures, as in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 30]]. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the eradication of #Baal worship and the restoration of true worship in the temple, symbolizing a return to spiritual purity and devotion to God. This mirrors similar calls to repentance and renewal found in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18]], where the prophet #Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal. Overall, 2 Kings 11 is a profound testament to God’s unwavering commitment to His promises and His ability to work through faithful servants to bring about His purposes, reinforcing the foundational biblical truth of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in the unfolding of His redemptive history. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Protection and Preservation of the Davidic Line In [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 11]], the preservation of #Joash, a descendant of #David, highlights the theme of divine protection over the Davidic line. This theme connects with God's covenant promise to David in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 7]], where God assures David that his throne will be established forever. The protection of Joash amidst the massacre by #Athaliah reflects God's faithfulness in preserving the promised lineage, which ultimately points to the coming of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. ### Righteous Leadership and Covenant Renewal The chapter also emphasizes the theme of righteous leadership through the actions of #Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada's orchestration of Joash's enthronement and the subsequent covenant renewal between the Lord, the king, and the people mirrors the covenant renewals seen in [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 24]] and [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 34]], where leaders call the nation back to faithfulness to God. This theme underscores the importance of godly leadership in guiding the people toward covenant fidelity and away from idolatry and apostasy. ### The Overthrow of Wickedness Athaliah's downfall and the destruction of Baal worship in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 11]] illustrate the theme of the overthrow of wickedness. This theme is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God raises up leaders to eliminate idolatry and immorality, such as the actions of #Gideon in [[Judges/Judges Chapter 6]] and #Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18]]. This connection highlights God's sovereignty in bringing justice and purifying His people from corruption. ### The Sanctity of the Temple The actions taken by Jehoiada to crown Joash in the house of the Lord underscore the sanctity of the #Temple as a place of divine appointment and the presence of God. The temple's role as the center of worship and covenantal activity aligns with its significance throughout scripture, such as in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 8]], where Solomon dedicates the temple, and in [[John/John Chapter 2]], where Jesus cleanses the temple. This theme points to the centrality of worship and reverence for God's dwelling place among His people. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### Preservation of the Davidic Line In 2 Kings 11, the preservation of the #DavidicLine through #Joash, the son of #Ahaziah, is a significant fulfillment of God’s promise to David that his descendants would reign over #Israel. This covenant is first established in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 7|2 Samuel 7:12-16]], where God assures David of an everlasting dynasty. Despite the threat posed by #Athaliah's attempt to destroy all royal heirs, Joash is hidden and eventually crowned king, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promise to maintain David's lineage. ### The Role of the Priesthood The involvement of #Jehoiada the priest in protecting Joash and orchestrating his coronation is indicative of the prophetic role of the priesthood in guiding and preserving Israel. This aligns with passages like [[Malachi/Malachi Chapter 2|Malachi 2:7]], which describe the priest's duty to preserve knowledge and mediate God's covenant. Jehoiada's actions highlight the ongoing prophetic role of the priesthood in fulfilling God’s purposes for Israel. ### Restoration of True Worship The overthrow of Athaliah and the subsequent renewal of the covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, as seen in 2 Kings 11:17-18, fulfills the prophetic calls for the restoration of true worship found in books such as [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 12|Deuteronomy 12:5-14]]. This renewal signifies a return to covenant faithfulness and the proper worship of God, fulfilling the prophetic vision of Israel's return to God’s commandments and the eradication of idolatry. ### The Sovereignty of God The events of 2 Kings 11 demonstrate God's sovereign control over the unfolding of history and the fulfillment of His promises. Passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 46|Isaiah 46:9-10]] emphasize God's unique ability to declare the end from the beginning and to accomplish His purposes. Joash's preservation and rise to the throne amidst political turmoil underscore God’s sovereign hand in fulfilling His prophetic word concerning the Davidic dynasty. ## Verses - **2 Kings 11:1** - "When #Athaliah, the mother of #KingAhaziah of #Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of the royal family." - See also [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 22]] for details on Athaliah's actions. - **2 Kings 11:2** - "But #Ahaziah’s sister #Jehosheba, the daughter of King #Jehoram, took #Ahaziah’s son #Joash and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children who were about to be killed. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom, and they hid him from Athaliah, so the child was not murdered." - For more on Jehosheba's actions, see [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 22]]. - **2 Kings 11:3** - "Joash remained hidden in the Temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land." - The Temple of the LORD is central to many events, including the dedication in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 8]]. - **2 Kings 11:4** - "In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, #Jehoiada the priest summoned the commanders, the Carites, and the palace guards to come to the Temple of the LORD. He made a solemn pact with them and made them swear an oath of loyalty there in the LORD’s Temple; then he showed them the king’s son." - Jehoiada's role is further explored in [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 23]]. - **2 Kings 11:5** - "Jehoiada told them, ‘This is what you must do. A third of you who are on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the royal palace itself." - **2 Kings 11:6** - "Another third of you are to stand guard at the Sur Gate, and the final third must stand guard behind the palace guard. These three groups will protect the palace." - **2 Kings 11:7** - "The other two units who are off duty on the Sabbath must stand guard for the king at the LORD’s Temple." - **2 Kings 11:8** - "Form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to break through. Stay with the king wherever he goes." - **2 Kings 11:9** - "So the commanders did everything just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. The commanders took charge of the men reporting for duty that Sabbath, as well as those who were going off duty. They brought them all to Jehoiada the priest." - **2 Kings 11:10** - "And he supplied them with the spears and small shields that had once belonged to #KingDavid and were stored in the Temple of the LORD." - See [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 17]] for more on King David's weaponry. - **2 Kings 11:11** - "The palace guards stationed themselves around the king, with their weapons ready. They formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar." - **2 Kings 11:12** - "Then Jehoiada brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, ‘Long live the king!’" - Similar coronation ceremonies occur in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 10]] with King Saul. - **2 Kings 11:13** - "When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she hurried to the LORD’s Temple to see what was happening." - **2 Kings 11:14** - "When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, ‘Treason! Treason!’" - **2 Kings 11:15** - "Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, ‘Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.’ For the priest had said, ‘She must not be killed in the Temple of the LORD.’" - **2 Kings 11:16** - "So they seized her and led her out to the gate where horses enter the palace grounds, and she was killed there." - **2 Kings 11:17** - "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." - The significance of covenants can be seen in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 9]] with Noah and [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12]] with Abraham. - **2 Kings 11:18** - "And all the people of the land went over to the temple of #Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Jehoiada the priest stationed guards at the Temple of the LORD." - Baal worship is addressed in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18]] with Elijah. - **2 Kings 11:19** - "Then the commanders, the Carites, the palace guards, and all the people of the land escorted the king from the Temple of the LORD. They went through the gate of the guards and into the palace, and the king took his seat on the royal throne." - **2 Kings 11:20** - "So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed at the king’s palace." - **2 Kings 11:21** - "Joash was seven years old when he became king." - For more on Joash's reign, refer to [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 12]].