What is the meaning of 2 Kings 11:3? And Joash remained hidden • The verse opens with deliberate secrecy: “And Joash remained hidden.” God often shields His chosen ones until the appointed time, as seen when Moses was concealed three months (Exodus 2:3) and when Jesus was taken to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). Psalm 27:5 affirms, “For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me in the cover of His tent.” Joash’s hiding underscores God’s sovereign preservation of the Davidic line despite murderous threats (2 Samuel 7:16; 2 Kings 8:19). with his nurse • A single, faithful caregiver—“his nurse”—became God’s instrument of protection. This echoes Mephibosheth’s nurse, who risked safety for her charge (2 Samuel 4:4). The role highlights God’s concern for vulnerable lives (James 1:27) and shows how ordinary people participate in His redemptive plan (2 Kings 11:2). It reminds believers that faithfulness in small, unseen tasks can have kingdom-wide implications (Colossians 3:23-24). in the house of the LORD • The hiding place was “the house of the LORD,” the temple complex Jehosheba and Jehoiada oversaw (2 Chronicles 23:1-7). God’s house became both sanctuary and strategic center. Psalm 91:1 promises, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” By situating Joash there, the priestly couple trusted God’s presence as fortress (Psalm 46:1). The passage also foreshadows the temple’s role in restoring true worship when Joash is revealed (2 Kings 11:17-18). for six years • “For six years” points to a defined season of waiting. Scripture often uses six as the full course before rest or release (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12). Those years allowed Joash to grow physically and spiritually under priestly guidance, illustrating Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap.” Believers learn the value of patient preparation, trusting God’s timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1). while Athaliah ruled the land • The backdrop is Athaliah’s usurpation (2 Kings 11:1), a reign marked by idolatry and violence (2 Chronicles 24:7). Yet her apparent dominance is temporary; Psalm 37:12-13 assures that the wicked plot in vain because “the Lord laughs at him, for He sees his day is coming.” God’s covenant promise to David (Psalm 132:11-12) stands unbroken, even when evil seems entrenched. This contrast magnifies divine sovereignty: a hidden child is the true king while a murderous queen sits on the throne (Revelation 12:4-6 offers a parallel heavenly perspective). summary 2 Kings 11:3 shows God quietly preserving His covenant through hidden means: a single boy, a devoted nurse, and the sacred shelter of the temple. Six silent years pass under an evil regime, yet the Lord’s plan unfolds unhindered. The verse invites believers to trust God’s protective care, value faithfulness in obscurity, and rest in His timing, confident that no earthly power can overturn His promises. |
    |