2 Chronicles 22
OGCSUMMARY QUESTIONS LESSON TWENTY 21-23
Locate the royal cemetery.
Who followed Jehoshaphat as king?
Name the sons of Jehoshaphat.
What was one of Jehoram’s first official acts? Evaluate this.
Jehoram ruled in Judah. Why would the record refer to the way of the kings of Israel?
Name Ahab’s daughter. Name Ahab’s wife.
Why was David’s house secure?
How did Jehoram handle his problems with Edom?
Locate Libnah.
How did Jehoram use the high places?
Who is this Elijah and how did he communicate with Jehoram?
List the terrible calamities that were to come upon the king.
What did the Philistines and the Arabians do?
Which of Jehoram’s sons escaped?
How did Jehoram die?
Explain the burning of 2 Chronicles 21:19.
How did Jehoram’s burial differ from that of other kings?
Who succeeded Jehoram as king of Judah?
Who was Omri?
Who counselled Ahaziah?
Carefully locate Rarnoth-gilead. What happened there at this time?
Who went to make a hospital visit and who was the patient?
Identify Jehu.
How was Ahaziah related to Jehoshaphat?
How did Ahaziah die?
Who was Athaliah? Explain her actions at the time of Ahaziah’s death.
Identify Jehoshabeath.
Where was Joash hid?
Who was Jehoiada?
How long was Athaliah in power over Judah?
To what does the seventh year refer in 2 Chronicles 23:1?
Where did Jehoiada go to seek support for his plan?
Where was the covenant agreed upon?
Describe the three-fold organization set up by Jehoiada.
Who would be granted entrance to the Temple?
Why would the Levites be armed?
What special arrangement was set up for the courses of priests according to 2 Chronicles 23:8?
Where did Jehoiada’s men obtain their military equipment?
Name the king who is now crowned.
What was the testimony?
Locate another reference to the cry, Long live the king.
How did Athaliah react when she saw what had happened?
Why use the trumpets?
What happened to the queen mother, Athaliah?
What was the nature of Jehoiada’s covenant?
Identify a special house which the people completely ruined that day.
In re-establishing Temple service what code did Jehoiada follow?
What kind of person was excluded from the Temple?
How old is Joash at this time? Who is the real power behind the throne?
2 Chronicles 22:1-9
- THE REIGN OF AHAZIAH (2 Chronicles 22:1-9)
TEXT
2 Chronicles 22:1. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead; for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. 2. Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. 4. And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did the house of Ahab; for they were his counsellors after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5. He walked also after 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. 6. And he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
- Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went unto Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Jehovah had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 8. And it came to pass, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, that he found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, ministering to Ahaziah, and slew them. 9. And he sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu, and slew him; and they buried him, for they said, He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Jehovah with all his heart. And the house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.
PARAPHRASE
2 Chronicles 22:1. Then the people of Jerusalem chose Ahaziah, his youngest son, as their new king (for the marauding bands of Arabs had killed his older sons), 2. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year, in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri. 3. He, too, walked in the evil ways of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. 4. Yes, he was as evil as Ahab, for Ahab’s family became his advisors after his father’s death, and they led him on to ruin. 5. Following their evil advice, Ahaziah made an alliance with King Jehoram of Israel (the son of Ahab), who was at war with King Hazael of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. Ahaziah led his army there to join the battle. King Jehoram of Israel was wounded. 6. and returned to Jezreel to recover. Ahaziah went to visit him,
- but this turned out to be a fatal mistake; for God had decided to punish Ahaziah for his alliance with Jehoram. It was during this visit that Ahaziah went out with Jehoram to challenge Jehu (son of Nimshi), whom the Lord had appointed to end the dynasty of Ahab. 8. While Jehu was hunting down and killing the family and friends of Ahab, he met King Ahaziah’s nephews, the princes of Judah and killed them. 9. As he and his men were searching for Ahaziah, they found him hiding in the city of Samaria, and brought him to Jehu, who killed him. Even so, Ahaziah was given a royal burial because he was the grandson of King Jehoshaphata man who enthusiastically served the Lord. None of his sons, however, except for Joash, lived to succeed him as king.
COMMENTARY
2 Chronicles 22:1 says that all of Jehoram’s sons, except Jehoahaz, had been murdered by men who were associated with a band of Arabians. If the Davidic succession was to be followed, there was no alternative to setting Jehoahaz on the throne. Jehoahaz is called by the name of Ahaziah in chapter 22. He was Athaliah’s son and she ruled Judah through him. Athaliah was Ahab’s daughter and her grandfather was Omri. The chronicler emphasized the fact that the moral degeneracy of the northern kingdom had spilled over into Judah. Ahaziah’s relationship to Athaliah brought him and Judah into alliance with Jehoram, son of Ahab.[65] The Syrians under Hazael’s kingship had fought with Jehoram and Israel at Ramoth-gilead. In this conflict Jehoram was wounded. He retreated from the battle field and remained at Jezreel while he recovered from his wound. Jezreel was about twenty miles southwest of the southern tip of the Sea of Chinnereth. Ahaziah (here called Azariah) came up from Jerusalem to visit Jehoram. This visit was another indication of the implications of Judah with the idolatrous northern kingdom. Ahaziah’s death was the result of Jehovah’s judgment on his wicked life. Joram is a shortened form of Jehoram. Jehovah never approved Ahaziah’s friendliness with this worshipper of Baal. The record in 2 Kings 9:21 ff describes Ahaziah’s ultimate tragedy. When Elijah met Jehovah at Horeb (Mount Sinai) as recorded in 1 Kings 19:15 ff, the prophet was commissioned to anoint Jehu to be king of Israel. Jehu’s assignment was to annihilate the houses of Omri and Ahab and to cleanse the northern kingdom of its Baalism. When Jehu had been anointed by one of the sons of the prophets at Ramoth-gilead, he hurried to Jezreel to execute judgment on Jehoram. At that time Ahaziah was visiting Jehoram. Both of the kings came out of the city to inquire about Jehu’s mission and both of them were killed. Ahaziah had been able to avoid Jehu briefly while hiding in Samaria. Jehu hunted him and killed him. Even though he was the son of a righteous father, Jehoshaphat, his father’s goodness could not save him. In connection with these events Jehu met brethren of Ahaziah who evidently were coming to Samaria to visit Jehoram and Jezebel (2 Kings 10:12-14). He fell upon them and slew them.
[65] Elmslie, W. A. L., The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. Ill, p. 502.
2 Chronicles 22:10-12
- THE TIMES OF ATHALIAH (2 Chronicles 22:10 to 2 Chronicles 23:15)
TEXT
2 Chronicles 22:10. Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. 11. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedchamber. So Jehqshabeath, 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 slew him not. 12. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
2 Chronicles 23:1. And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroaham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. 2. And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers-’ houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3. And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as Jehovah hath spoken concerning the sons of David. 4. this is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds; 5. and a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of Jehovah. 6. But let none come into the house of Jehovah, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the charge of Jehovah. 7. And the Levites shall compass the king around about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever cometh into the house, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
- So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses. 9. And Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’S, which were in the house of God. 10. And he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king around about. 11. Then they brought out the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, Long live the king.
- And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah: 13. and she looked, and behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets; the singers also played on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason! treason! 14. And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth between the ranks; and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword: for the priest said, Slay her not in the house of Jehovah. 15. So they made way for her; and she went to the entrance of the house gate to the king’s house: and they slew her there.
PARAPHRASE
2 Chronicles 22:10. for their grandmother Athaliah killed them when she heard the news of her son Ahaziah’s death. 11. Joash was rescued by his Aunt Jehosabeath, who was King Ahaziah’s sister, and was hidden away in a storage room in the Temple. She was a daughter of King Jehoram, and the wife of Jehoiada the priest. 12. Joash remained hidden in the Temple for six years while Athaliah reigned as queen. He was cared for by his nurse and by his aunt and uncle.
2 Chronicles 23:1. In the seventh year of the reign of Queen Athaliah, Jehoiada the priest got up his courage and took some of the army officers into his confidence: Azariah (son of Jeroham), Ishmael (son of Jehohanan), Azariah (son of Obed), Maaseiah (son of Adaiah), and Elishaphat (son of Zichri). 2, 3. These men traveled out across the nation secretly, to tell the Levites and clan leaders about his plans and to summon them to Jerusalem. On arrival they swore allegiance to the young king, who was still in hiding at the Temple, at last the time has come for the king’s son to reign! Jehoiada exclaimed. The Lord’s promisethat a descendant of King David shall be our kingwill be true again. 4. This is how we-’ll proceed: a third of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath will stay at the entrance as guards. 5, 6. Another third will go over to the palace, and a third will be at the Lower Gate. Everyone else must stay in the outer courts of the Temple, as required by God’s laws. For only the priests and Levites on duty may enter the Temple itself, for they are sanctified. 7. You Levites, form a bodyguard for the king, weapons in hand, and kill any unauthorized person entering the Temple. Stay right beside the king.
- So all the arrangements were made. Each of the three leaders led a third of the priests arriving for duty that Sabbath, and a third of those whose week’s work was done and were going off dutyfor Jehoiada the chief priest didn-’t release them to go home. 9. Then Jehoiada issued spears and shields to all the army officers. These had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple. 10. These officers, fully armed, formed a line from one side to the other in front of the Temple and around the altar in the outer court. 11. Then they brought out the little prince and placed the crown upon his head and handed him a copy of the law of God, and proclaimed him king. A great shout went up, long live the king! as Jehoiada and his sons anointed him.
- When Queen Athaliah heard all the noise and commotion, and the shouts of praise to the king, she rushed over to the Temple to see what was going onand there stood the king by his pillar at the entrance, with the army officers and trumpeters surrounding him, and people from all over the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers singing, accompanied by an orchestra leading the people in a great psalm of praise. Athaliah ripped her clothes and screamed, Treason! Treason! 13, 14. Take her out and kill her, Jehoiada the priest shouted to the army officers. Don-’t do it here at the Temple. And kill anyone who tries to help her. 15, 16, 17. So the crowd opened up for them to take her out and they killed her at the palace stables. Then Jehoiada made a solemn contract that he and the king and the people would be the Lord’S. And all the people rushed over to the temple of Baal and knocked it down, and broke up the altars and knocked down the idols, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before his altar.
COMMENTARY
The scene of action quickly transfers to Jerusalem where the queen mother, Athaliah, moved to make certain her claim to the throne.[66] Upon Ahaziah’s death at the hands of Jehu, Athaliah set out to kill every person who through David’s line might claim the throne. Jehoshabeath (Jehosheba) was the daughter of Jerhoram and the sister of Ahaziah. She acted quickly and wisely in taking Ahaziah’s young son, Joash, and hiding him in a room in the Temple. Jehoshabeath was also the wife of Jehoiada, the high priest. Jehoiada was destined to become the power behind the throne in Judah. Most likely, Athaliah feverishly hunted this little boy; however, his aunt was able to hide him for six years. During this difficult period, Athaliah reigned as queen over Judah. She did not fear Jehovah and she used her influence to establish Baalism in the southern kingdom.
[66] Pfeiffer, Charles H., The Divided Kingdom Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1967, p. 20.
When Joash passed the sixth anniversary of his birth, the high priest, Jehoiada, made his move to depose Athaliah and put the true Davidic king on the throne of Judah. The five men named in this account are not named in 2 Kings 11:5-7. They are Azariah, Ishmael, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah, and Elishaphat. The whole group of soldiers over which they had charge probably numbered about five hundred. In addition to these soldiers, there was a representative group of Levites and elders who had agreed with Jehoiada to put Joash on the throne. All of this work was done without Athaliah’s knowledge. It is possible that many people were surprised to learn that Joash was alive, supposing that all the princes had been killed in Athaliah’s purge. Jehoiada proceeded with great care to organize the men at his disposal. One third of the patriots would be priests and Levites who would be stationed at the doors of Jehovah’s Temple. One third of the men would take up their positions at the king’s house, the place where Joash had been living. One third of the high priest’s helpers were assigned to guard a particular gate in the vicinity of the Temple. The people would fill the courts to which they normally were allowed access. The Temple was not to be desecrated even for this important occasion. The charge of Jehovah concerning the sacredness of the Temple had to be observed. On this occasion the Levites were equipped with swords and at the proper time they were co form a protective shield around the boy, Joash. They were to guard this child with their own lives and they had orders to kill anybody who would attempt to harm him.
In order to carry out this very important project, Jehoiada kept all of the priests and Levites in service at the Temple. All of those who were responsible for groups of men were briefed concerning their assignments. Military equipment was taken out of the museum in the Temple and placed in the hands of Levites and others who were ready to put Joash on the throne. When all preparations had been completed, Joash was brought into the court of priests and stationed near the altar of burnt offering as Jehovah had instructed in Deuteronomy 17:18, when Joash was crowned. He was also presented a copy of the Law (the testimony) and the high priest anointed him to be king. The blessing, Long live the king, was used when Saul was chosen for that office (1 Samuel 10:24). It was also employed in the rebellion of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:25).
No attempt was made to conceal the coronation. Athaliah had not been invited. From her quarters she heard the shouting of the congregation and the festival sounds of a free people. Upon leaving her house she hurried to Jehovah’s Temple where she saw the boy king and the soldiers who blocked her access to him, She tarried long enough to hear the sound of the trumpets and to hear a few words of the spirited singing. Not being able to contain herself, in a burst of emotion she ripped her queenly robes and charged the whole assembly with treason. Jehoiada answered this demonstration by ordering her to be led from the Temple. Careful attention was to be given to any who might come to Athaliah’s defense. Such persons were to be put to death. The queen was not to be killed in the Temple, thus avoiding defiling the house of God. As she made her way back to her residence, she was slain. Her departure was as dramatic as that of her mother, Jezebel.