King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, July 05, 2025
Chapters: II Chronicles 22-24
Message: II Chronicles: Joash Becomes King in Judah
Hello My Friend,
As we return to the reading of II Chronicles we learn that as Christians it is important to have a like minded faith church home or least a person we can go to for spiritual guidance in the Word of God on a continual basis. Take it from someone who has gotten herself into trouble when she did not have spiritual guidance, we can go from being on fire for God to fizzling in the blink of an eye. And if you think that it could never happen to you like I thought it could never happen to me, think again, that is actually the first step to a fall, [Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The Spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.]
We also learn that even though God’s people mess up quite a bit, He still has their back and it has nothing to do with our obedience and everything to do with our faith in His Son, [Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;]
II Chronicles, also gives the account of wicked Athaliah taking the throne in Judah for herself after her son was killed as Jehu conspired to have all who were related to Ahab executed. If we thought that Ahab and Jezebel was ruthless and cruel, they were nothing compared to his sister, who somehow was forgotten. After Jehoram was judged by God basically for killing his own brothers to keep any of them from taking the throne if he died. Now, his son Ahaziah begins to reign.
[2 Chronicles 22:1-4 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. His mother’s name also 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 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.]
Did you notice that it was his mother that influenced him? She was the one who was calling the shots just like Jezebel was when Ahab was king in Israel. Believe it or not, women play a key role in the decisions that men make, and sadly that is why they are not to be in authority in the Church, [1 Timothy 2:12-14 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.]
So, Ahaziah, went with the king of Israel, who happened to also be named Jehoram, to help them take on Syria, but they failed and when Jehoram was wounded Ahaziah went to visit with him, which led to his death.
[2 Chronicles 22:6-8 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. 7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 8 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.]
Last night there was a massive thunderstorm and the first thing I thought was who angered God, and while I was being figurative with all that is going on lately and massive storms forming all over the seaboard it just might have been God. We may think that God does not play a part in these wars, famines, and storms that the world blames climate change on, but He does. God, will use any means necessary to bring judgment both on the wicked and His own as well as vengeance for His people. This is what was going on here, and while Athaliah thought that she had everything under her control, she did not realize that God was one step ahead of her.
[2 Chronicles 22:9-11 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. 10 But 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 from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. 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 slew him not.]
This was Satan’s attempt to overthrow God’s Word in His Son descending from the royal descendants of Judah, but again, his plan did not work, but for six years it appeared that he had. Joash was hid for seven years, this gave them enough time to prepare, and get rid of Athaliah once and for all. Jehoiada, got everyone together and came up a plan to make Joash king.
[2 Chronicles 23:1-3 And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, 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 chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.]
In the six years that Athaliah was in charge, Jehoiada prepared his heart and spirit in the strength and power of God to do what He called him to do, but he also had the help of other God fearing people to keep him encouraged and motivated to follow through. And now, the plan that they had prepared six years for was put into action.
[2 Chronicles 23:6,8,11 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. 8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses. 11 Then they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.]
While we are not all called be to pastors, teachers, or even laymen in Christ’s Church, we are all called to be ministers (servants) to help assist those who are. In fact, we all need God fearing faithful men and women in our lives to assist and encourage us to do what He calls us to do, [1 Corinthians 12:24-27 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.]
Now, with all the shouting and cheering Athaliah and her people came running to the temple to see what was going on only to discover this little kid with a crown on his head. She immediately shouted, “Treason, Treason!”, but the only one guilty of treason was her. Immediately they took her off temple grounds and executed her, and anyone who followed her as well.
[2 Chronicles 23:12-15 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD: 13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD. 15 So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there.]
Anyone who followed her would be executed too, this is an illustration that it does not matter if one follows false religion, including “Christian” based, those who do will not be saved from hell, [Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]
Now, God is not going to send us out there to kill our corrupt leaders because they are going to turn on themselves as we can see that happening already, but He will send us out there to find as many lost souls as we can before things get out of hand and we will not have that opportunity. Since we do not have the guarantee of tomorrow all we is today. Now, Jehoiada, and all the people did not just stop with Athaliah, they went into the house of worship they had set up for Baal and tore it down as well.
[2 Chronicles 23:16-18,20 And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’S people. 17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David. 20 And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.]
Can you imagine what this young boy thought as he sat on the throne? I imagine he was a little excited, scared, and confused, but he had the help of the priest as well as the elders to help him govern the land until he was of age. The very first thing that Joash wanted to do after he was confirmed was have the temple repaired.
[2 Chronicles 24:2-5,7 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters. 4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD. 5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.]
It is a proven fact that when Godly people rule a nation there is peace and prosperity. Joash, did very well as king in the beginning, as long as Jehoiada was alive he did right in the eyes of God. One of his first acts as king was an order to have the temple repaired, but as we learned yesterday they had not touched it in years.
[2 Chronicles 24:9,11-12 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. 11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.]
The other day I was speaking with one of my store managers and the conversation came up that I use to have my own online bakery, then he asked me if I would consider making some cupcakes to see how they sell in the store. Then all these thoughts came back about wanting my own food truck as I still want to use my passion for baking to do work for God along with my ministry. Let me tell you, there is nothing more rewarding than to serve God and be able to earn an income as well and interestingly enough God will allow us to use our talents for both, [1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.]
It does not matter how strong we are in our faith, if we do not have a Godly minister to guide us and keep ourselves accountable we will fall away from it. All it takes is one step into the world for a Christian to backslide, Satan is all too willing to lead us away into its web. After Jehoiada died, apparently not all of the wicked were gone from Judah, everything went downhill as Joash allowed his worldly cousins to influence him and turn his heart away from God.
[2 Chronicles 24:15-18 But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. 16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house. 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. 18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.]
God, did the same thing that He always does when His people backslide, He sent someone to warn Joash to repent before something worse happens. However, Joash did not take the warning too kindly.
[2 Chronicles 24:19-22 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. 20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. 21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. 22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.]
Can you see that God’s judgments are not solely for the wicked, He will judge His people too, and Joash will pay dearly for having one of His men in His ministry executed, especially for only being the messenger here. And by the end of that year he was executed.
[2 Chronicles 24:23-25 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. 24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. 25 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.]
Satan, may be in his glory right now, but there will come a day when he will pay for all the souls he took to hell with him for the lies he told. And on that same day he will pay for all the innocent lives lost, and the babies that never got an opportunity to be born, [Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me. Even when I am at my worse, You still see the best in me. I can never thank You enough for catching me from my fall, and for the life You have given me since I made the choice to live my life with Your Son in it. You are my strength, I know that I mess up a lot, but You never stop watching over me and defending me. Thank You for Your endless mercy and grace, and for never letting me go. Lord, Lead us and guide us, open the hearts of Your faithful, backslidden, and the lost, let us all rise up together as one, and fight for the freedoms that You have given us. Raise up Godly leaders that are grounded in Your Word to keep us free, and remove those from office who are set to destroy us. Let us all be willing to learn and teach the truth. Protect and watch over us, give us Your power to stand up and boldly do what we need to do to take back our nation at least until Your Son returns. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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