How does the crowning of Joash connect to God's covenant with David? Backdrop: Judah in Crisis • Athaliah, daughter of Ahab, seizes the throne after her son Ahaziah dies (2 Chronicles 22:10). • She sets out “and destroyed the whole royal family of the house of Judah” (2 Chronicles 22:10), apparently wiping out David’s line. • One infant, Joash, is rescued and hidden for six years in the temple by Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehosheba (2 Chronicles 22:11–12). God’s Covenant with David—The Foundation • 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14—God promises David “I will raise up your offspring after you… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” • Psalm 89:34-37 reassures, “I will not violate My covenant… his offspring shall endure forever.” • The promise is unconditional: no matter how dark Judah’s history becomes, a son of David must reign. Athaliah’s Assault vs. the Promise • Humanly speaking, Athaliah’s purge was effective; every visible male heir was eliminated. • Spiritually, her attack was a direct assault on God’s stated word. • The hidden child in the temple becomes living proof that no enemy can overturn divine promises. Joash: The Miracle Child of the Covenant • Concealed within the house of God, Joash grows under priestly care—a picture of God preserving His plan where His name dwells. • At the perfect time (the seventh year), covenant and courage meet; Jehoiada calls the Levites and bodyguards to restore the rightful king (2 Chronicles 23:1-10). 2 Chronicles 23:11—The Covenant in Action “Then they brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, gave him the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and declared, ‘Long live the king!’” Six Ways Joash’s Crowning Connects to the Davidic Covenant 1. Preservation of the Line • Joash is a direct descendant of David (1 Chronicles 3:11-15). • His coronation keeps the genealogical chain unbroken, safeguarding the line that will lead to Messiah (Matthew 1:6-16; Luke 3:31-32). 2. Public Recognition of God’s Choice • Jehoiada gathers priests, Levites, and commanders, echoing Davidic coronations of old (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:38-40). • The crowd’s shout, “Long live the king!” affirms loyalty to God’s covenant, not merely to a political figure. 3. The Crown • Symbol of divine appointment promised to David: “Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). • Placing it on Joash declares God’s promise is still seated on Israel’s throne. 4. The Testimony (Torah Scroll) • Deuteronomy 17:18-19 requires each king to keep a copy of the Law; handing it to Joash ties kingship to covenant obedience. • Reminds the nation that David’s line is to rule under God’s Word, not apart from it. 5. Priestly Anointing • The priest Jehoiada anoints the king, joining priestly and royal offices in harmony—anticipating the ultimate Priest-King (Psalm 110:1-4; Hebrews 7:1-2). 6. Fulfillment Against All Odds • The scene shouts God’s faithfulness: what looked impossible after Athaliah’s massacre becomes a fresh start for David’s house. • Psalm 33:11 rings true: “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.” Echoes of a Greater King • Joash’s rescue foreshadows another child who would escape a murderous monarch—Jesus, born of David’s line, spared from Herod (Matthew 2:13-15). • God’s covenant faithfulness in Joash guarantees the arrival of “the Root and the Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16). • Peter sums it up: “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised” (Acts 13:23). Living Lessons Today • God keeps His word even when circumstances scream otherwise. • No human scheme can annul His covenant plans. • The handing of the Testimony to Joash reminds believers that rulership and obedience to Scripture belong together; authority without the Word soon unravels. • Joash’s coronation invites us to celebrate the steadfast love of the Lord and to look forward with certainty to the day when the true Son of David reigns unopposed and forever. |
    |