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2 Chronicles 22

World English Bible

WEB

1The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place, because the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the oldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3He also walked in the ways of Ahab’s house, because his mother was his counselor in acting wickedly. 4He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, as did Ahab’s house, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5He also followed their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram. 6He returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Azariah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick. 7Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram; for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to cut off Ahab’s house. 8When Jehu was executing judgment on Ahab’s house, he found the princes of Judah and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah serving Ahaziah, and killed them. 9He sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu and killed him; and they buried him, for they said, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart.” The house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom. 10Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring of the house of Judah. 11But Jehoshabeath, the king’s daughter, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stealthily rescued him from among the king’s sons who were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she didn’t kill him. 12He was with them hidden in God’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Chronicles Chapter 22 recounts the tragic events surrounding the reign of King Ahaziah of Judah, who ascended to the throne after the death of his father, King Jehoram. Ahaziah's reign is marked by his alliance with the house of Ahab, as he is influenced by his mother, Athaliah, who is the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. This connection leads Ahaziah to follow the wicked ways of Ahab, which ultimately results in his downfall. The chapter emphasizes the dangers of ungodly alliances and the consequences of turning away from the Lord, as Ahaziah's actions lead to his demise in battle against Hazael, king of Aram (#Hazael).

The narrative also highlights the role of Athaliah, who, upon learning of her son's death, seeks to eliminate the royal line of Judah by killing all potential heirs. However, Jehoiada, the high priest, intervenes by rescuing Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, and hiding him from Athaliah's murderous intentions. This act of preservation is crucial, as it ensures the continuation of the Davidic line, fulfilling God's promise to David that his descendants would reign forever. The chapter serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant, even amidst the chaos and evil that can arise from human actions. The preservation of Joash sets the stage for future events in Judah's history, demonstrating that God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

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Referenced by

  1. 2 Kings 11:2v112 Kings 11:2 and 2 Chronicles 22:11 both describe how Jehosheba, the sister of King Ahaziah, saved Joash from being killed by Athaliah, highlighting God's providential preservation of the Davidic line.

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