The Queen Who Committed Treason
The life and reign of Queen Athaliah.
After Jehu’s purge of Ahab’s family, Athaliah is the sole remaining family member of Ahab - she is Ahab’s daughter (2 Chronicles 21:6).
She behaves very wickedly, just like her father and his house, but we should also expect her to meet an untimely end - just like the rest of her father’s house. For this is the word of the Lord (2 Kings 9:8).
Athaliah Seizes the Throne.
After Jehu killed Ahaziah, king of Judah, Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah seized the throne of Judah for herself. She had advised her son to do wickedly (2 Chronicles 22:3-4), and now, she would “practice what she preached.”
She destroyed all remaining royal heirs in Judah (2 Chronicles 22:10) - or so she thought. There was one secretly saved alive.
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being murdered, and put him and his nurse in a 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 did not kill him. (2 Chronicles 22:11)
Since Athaliah had no interest in the Lord God, Jehoshabeath and her husband, Jehoiada the priest, were able to hide Joash in the priest’s living quarters in the house of God (2 Chronicles 22:12). The young heir to the throne remained hidden for six years while Athaliah reigned over Judah.
Athaliah is Killed.
In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, the priest Jehoiada “took courage” (ESV) and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds (2 Chronicles 23:1). They went throughout Judah and gathered all the Levites as well as the family leaders, and came together in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 23:2).
So the priests, the military, and the local community leaders make a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada says:
"Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD has said of the sons of David. This is what you shall do: One-third of you entering on the Sabbath, of the priests and the Levites, shall be keeping watch over the doors; one-third shall be at the king's house; and one-third at the Gate of the Foundation. All the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD. But let no one come into the house of the LORD except the priests and those of the Levites who serve. They may go in, for they are holy; but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. And the Levites shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let him be put to death. You are to be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out." (2 Chronicles 23:3-7)
They trusted in the Lord’s word and promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and carefully guarded the young king - the sole remaining descendant of David.
Jehoiada armed the military commanders and their men with spears and shields stored in the temple belonging to King David (2 Chronicles 23:8-9). They were all positioned around the temple grounds and all around the king (2 Chronicles 23:10). They crowned Joash as king, gave him the testimony, and after anointing him, everyone shouted, “Long live the king!” (2 Chronicles 23:11).
Athaliah hears the commotion and comes to the temple - and there she sees the king and the people rejoicing and praising God. She tore her clothes and cried out, “Treason! Treason!” (2 Chronicles 23:13). Treason had, in fact, occurred - but she was the traitor.
Jehoiada gave the order, “Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her” (2 Chronicles 23:14). So they took her out and killed her (2 Chronicles 23:15).
Then Jehoiada makes a covenant between himself, the nation, and the king, that they would be the LORD’s people (2 Chronicles 23:16). They destroyed the temple of Baal along with its altars and images, and executed the priest of Baal (2 Chronicles 23:17).
The priests and gatekeepers were restored to the Lord’s house - restoring the worship of the Lord according to the Law of Moses (2 Chronicles 23:18-19). Then the king was taken into the king’s house and set on the throne (2 Chronicles 23:20).
The people rejoiced and the city “had rest” because Athaliah had been killed with the sword (2 Chronicles 23:21).
Crowning Principles.
God kept His promise to bring the Messiah into the world through the line of David.
God promised David that one of his descendants would reign as king forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Through this descendant, David’s throne would “be established forever.”
But here, after Athaliah kills all the remaining royal family, David’s seedline is down to a single baby boy - Joash. Without Joash, there are no more descendants of David.
God’s providence was at work during this moment to protect the family of David so He could bring His Son into the world (Matthew 1:1, 18-25; Galatians 4:4). Again, we notice another example of God always keeping His promises.
Courage is necessary among God’s people.
It took courage for Jehoshabeath to save Joash alive. It took courage for Jehoiada and Jehoshabeath to hide Joash and his nurse in their house until the boy was seven years old. It also took courage for Jehoiada to put the carefully made plans into action.
Throughout this entire process, their lives were constantly at risk. But they “took courage” because they trusted in God’s promises.
Just as this godly couple demonstrated courage, so God’s people must be people of courage. The Lord encouraged Joshua to “be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6-9) after the death of Moses and before he led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land.
When we face hardships or the unknown, we must “take courage” and act with trust in God’s word and His promises.
His promises always honored. And He returns soon. Holy holy is He who sits at the right hand of the Father. Amen