1 & 2 Kings – Page 7

2 Kings 11:13-21 – A New Day

At last, the Queen’s reign concludes! Wasn’t it refreshing to read that “all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed at the king’s palace”? It will definitely be a new day in the land of Judah!

The priest Jehoiada was instrumental in bringing the LORD back into focus. It seems the covenants being made were making all things right with the world again. At least in Judah for that moment in time! When we are in alignment with God, things just feel “right.”

2 Kings 11:1-12 – Meanwhile in Judah…

Read 2 Kings 11:1-12

Jehu’s actions also initiated some drama in Judah. You’ll recall that Jehu also killed Ahaziah, the king of Judah. As Ahaziah’s wife, Queen Athaliah was apparently power hungry and without skipping a beat stepped into the leadership role of her deceased husband. So there would be no question, she made sure all her husband’s potential heirs to the throne were killed.

Little did she know her sister-in-law had taken her brother’s infant son, Joash, and stashed him safely away in the temple of the Lord. From the sounds of it, Athaliah was not the sort to be interested in spending time in the temple of the Lord. So the young boy was safe for the next six years.

2 Kings 10:18-36 – The Final Purge

Read 2 Kings 10:18-36

garbage worker brushing question mark bubbles into a pile

Jehu’s rampage to cleanse Israel was finished…almost. Why did he leave the golden calves in Bethel and Dan? Despite that, God was pleased. “You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the family of Ahab. Therefore, your descendants will be kings of Israel down to the fourth generation.”

In this climactic act of violence, Jehu rids Israel of all Baal worship. Tragically, it sounds like a lot of people lost their life that day. Yet, I can almost imagine the sky looked a little brighter and the sun shone more brilliantly that day with so much evil purged from society. Unfortunately, a “weed” was left behind to grow and spread again.

2 Kings 10:1-17 – Taking God Seriously

Read 2 Kings 10:1-17

hands open and pointing toward lighted cross

Jehu is taking his job very seriously. While I’m not a fan of killing people, I am a fan of following God’s command. Sometimes God calls us to do things we feel unprepared to accomplish. In Jehu’s case, he had been prepared as an army commander. Death is not foreign to him.

Jehu has been very methodical in his elimination of Ahab’s family. Of course, he had to take out the king first to have authority. The queen would be next because of her approval rating with the people. Now it was time for Ahab’s family. I don’t know about you, but I was surprised to learn Ahab had seventy children tucked safely away. Seventy! Let that number sink in a bit.

2 Kings 9:30-37 – Jezebel’s Demise

Read 2 Kings 9:30-37

Jezebel had to be the vilest woman in the Bible. Her husband, King Ahab, was also evil, but he met his demise years earlier. Jezebel was the daughter of a foreign king who made it her life mission to have all of Israel worshipping her god, Baal.

Jezebel’s life is an interesting story of how a pagan queen became the villain of God’s people. One might applaud her for her commitment; however, it was hugely misguided. Imagine if she had been that determined to bring the people to repentance and to then follow the LORD! She had the financial means as well as the royal authority to get attention.