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The history can get pretty confusing when the stories switch back and forth from the northern kingdom to the southern kingdom. In addition, there are details outlined in the book of Chronicles that give us a more complete picture. The story here is taking place in Judah, the southern kingdom, and Athaliah has just set herself up to run the nation. How did this happen?
So, as you can see, the family tree is in shambles. After Jehu killed Jezebel (Athaliah’s mother) as well as her son (Ahaziah), Athaliah decided to eliminate all potential royal offspring (her grandsons) so that she could solely rule over Judah as queen. Apparently, she was the only remnant of the Baal-worshipers who escaped the mass slaughtering.
So, it makes sense that the chapter would open with her retaliation to Jehu’s actions. Why is this so significant? It would have seemed, at the time, that the house of Ahab had successfully eliminated the seed of David and the lineage of Jesus Christ.
When you lay out the facts of the situation, there was little hope. In one slick move, Athaliah had seemingly overcome God. 6 dark years passed and I’m sure most had lost hope in God’s promise. They had possibly even forgotten about it. What was that promise?
Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever.
2 Chronicles 21:7 NASB
Out of the shadows, Jehosheba would arise. She is not a popular Biblical character (and I’m not sure why?), but she played a critical role in preserving the royal line of David which would usher in the Messiah. She would hide away young Joash until he could be crowned king. This is just another example of how God uses the humble to confound the strong.
7-year-old Joash was crowned king. There is no doubt that many were in shock, as it seems so ridiculous. God had a promise and He had a plan. It was far from what man thought it would be, but it allowed for the royal line to continue, and for God’s glory to be put on full display. Human sin cannot stop the plans of God. Where do you need to be reminded of this? Human sin cannot stop the plans of God!