Recordings:

Kings rise and fall, dynasties wax and wane. Ascending the throne is easy; safeguarding the kingdom is difficult. There is no need to envy the temporary glory of others; he who laughs last laughs best. The message in this chapter will give us a warning: if people do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord, what kind of ending awaits them?

Questions for reflection:

When you see others gaining fame and fortune and enjoying the limelight through illegitimate means, do you feel resentful? Why?

Through the message of this chapter, what kind of ending do you hope your life will have? What efforts should you make to achieve this?

The Meaning Behind Ahaziah's Name

There is a hidden theme in this chapter. Although this chapter narrates an event, behind the development of the event, we can see that: When a person is evil, he will usurp the throne, but the end of usurpation is being killed! When we look at today's history, everyone must learn to see the ending of people.

This chapter talks about Ahaziah. Ahaziah's mother was Athaliah, and Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and the granddaughter of Omri. Actually, this matter is very interesting. Athaliah's brother was also called Ahaziah when he was king in Israel. In Athaliah's mind, she felt that the name Ahaziah was very good, so she gave her son the same name as his uncle. So how did Athaliah's brother, this Ahaziah, die? He fell and died from a railing (see 2 Kings Chapter 1). There is an interesting thing here, that is, we don’t know whether Athaliah named her son Ahaziah before or after her brother Ahaziah died.

If it was before his death that she named her son Ahaziah, then Athaliah might be thinking about one thing: hoping that the house of Judah and the house of Israel can continue to be reconciled. I also hope that his children can continue the tradition of the house of Ahab. If Athaliah named her child after her child's uncle fell to his death, then Athaliah may have had such thoughts: I want this child to die early and curse this child. In this way, she can seize power and usurp the throne. There are many complex plots here. But in any case, this Athaliah either inherited the sin of the house of Ahab's worship of Baal, or hoped to usurp the throne, hoping that her son Ahaziah would die early. As a result, her son really got very close to the house of Ahab. Ahaziah went to see Joram, the king of Israel. At this time, he was killed by Jehu on the way (see 2 Kings 9:21-29). Chronicles actually mentioned this matter, Ahaziah was killed by the Lord (see Chronicles 22:7). All the prophecies concerning the house of Ahab were fulfilled, including the usurpation and killing of his daughter Athaliah.

Stay Away from the Cursed

Regarding this hidden theme, the author wants to highlight one thing: Although the scenery is temporary, it is useless. As long as you touch the edge of Ahab's family, you will share the curse of Ahab's family. Athaliah became king and was able to do it for more than six years, but the result after six years was still being killed. From this matter, we must begin to read something: there are many people in this generation who live in this situation, many people do not know what the future will be like, and these people do not care about the ending. It is actually very dangerous if people don't look far enough. In the Books of Kings, if we slowly and carefully ponder, we will find that many people do not have a long-term vision. If what people pursue in the world is only this life, they will actually die miserably. We only make arrangements for the things of this life and work hard. If we read the Bible carefully, we will come to a conclusion: those who die will die miserably.

Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab, so she inherited the curse of the house of Ahab. Her own child, Ahaziah, took the same name as Ahab's son, and as a result, he was also cursed. Athaliah killed all the princes of her royal family, leaving only one, Joash. Making friends is a very important thing. Don't just think that people look good on the surface and are very talkative and good at chatting, and then rashly make friends with him/her. Ahab or Jezebel are both very smart, but no matter how smart they are, if they are cursed, you have to be especially careful if you are friends with them. Once this curse is contaminated, evil spirits will come to attack.

Do Not Be Shortsighted

These people may have enjoyed temporary glory, but regrettably, they were shortsighted and unaware of their fate. Ahaziah was killed by Jehu after reigning for only one year. Athaliah ruled for over six years before being killed by Jehoiada. We must cultivate the idea: Do not envy the temporary glory of others; instead, envy those who live their entire lives under God's protection, in peace and joy. Do not assume that glory is necessarily a good thing; it comes with a price! When I read about the tragic stories behind the glamorous lives of some celebrities, I think, God, let me live under your protection for my entire life. I do not desire fame; I only wish to live peacefully in this world. Please protect me. There are several individuals in the Bible, including Samuel, who lived peacefully throughout their lives. That is why my wife gave me the English name Samuel. We should emulate the way they lived, not pursue temporary glory.

Doing What Is Right in the Eyes of the Lord

Whether Jehoiada's actions constituted a coup is unclear, but regardless, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He restored the royal family, the priesthood, and the traditions and regulations of worshiping God. He also demolished the temple of Baal and killed the priests of Baal (see 2 Kings 11:15-20). Upon carefully reading the Bible, one discovers that Joash reigned for several decades, while Jehoiada served as the priest of the temple throughout that generation. Therefore, let us begin to reflect on these stories and, from now on, cease envying those who enjoy temporary glory. Instead, let us be cautious and distance ourselves from those who are cursed. Let us pursue a life of peace, protected by God. Let us yearn to serve God and live a life of abundance under His protection; that is truly a blessing!

Scripture

2Ki 11:1 And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed.
2Ki 11:2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
2Ki 11:3 And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
2Ki 11:4 And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord, and shewed them the king's son.
2Ki 11:5 And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;
2Ki 11:6 And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
2Ki 11:7 And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king.
2Ki 11:8 And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
2Ki 11:9 And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
2Ki 11:10 And the priest gave the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of the Lord.
2Ki 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
2Ki 11:12 And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
2Ki 11:13 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the house of the Lord.
2Ki 11:14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
2Ki 11:15 But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.
2Ki 11:16 And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
2Ki 11:17 And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord's people; between the king also and the people.
2Ki 11:18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord.
2Ki 11:19 And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the Lord, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
2Ki 11:20 And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
2Ki 11:21 Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.