Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother's name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. AhaziahThe name "Ahaziah" means "Yahweh has grasped" or "Yahweh holds firm." This name reflects the theocratic belief that God is sovereign over the affairs of kings and nations. Ahaziah's reign, though brief, is a testament to the divine orchestration of leadership in Israel, even when the leaders themselves may not fully adhere to God's commandments. was twenty-two years old
The age of Ahaziah at the time of his ascension to the throne is significant. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a young king often faced challenges in establishing authority and wisdom. This age suggests a lack of experience, which may have contributed to his short and tumultuous reign. It also highlights the vulnerability of the kingdom during transitions of power. when he became king
The phrase underscores the moment of transition and the divine right of kingship in the biblical narrative. In the context of Israel and Judah, becoming king was not merely a political event but a spiritual one, where the king was expected to lead the people in covenant faithfulness to God. and he reigned in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, is central to the identity of the kingdom of Judah. It is the political and spiritual heart of the nation. Ahaziah's reign in Jerusalem ties him to the Davidic line and the promises God made to David regarding his descendants and the enduring throne. one year
The brevity of Ahaziah's reign is notable and serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human power and the consequences of unfaithfulness. In the biblical narrative, short reigns often indicate divine disfavor or judgment, reflecting the instability that comes from departing from God's ways. His mother’s name was Athaliah
Athaliah, a significant figure in her own right, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, notorious for leading Israel into idolatry. Her influence on Ahaziah suggests a continuation of the spiritual and moral decline that characterized the house of Ahab. This maternal connection highlights the importance of family and lineage in shaping the spiritual direction of a leader. a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel
Omri was a powerful and influential king of Israel, known for establishing Samaria as the capital and for his political and military achievements. However, he is also noted for his idolatry and leading Israel away from God. The mention of Omri connects Ahaziah to a legacy of political strength but spiritual compromise, emphasizing the tension between worldly success and covenant faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. AhaziahThe king of Judah who began his reign at the age of twenty-two. His reign was notably short, lasting only one year. 2. AthaliahThe mother of Ahaziah, described as a granddaughter of Omri. She played a significant role in the royal lineage and had a strong influence on Ahaziah. 3. OmriA former king of Israel, known for establishing a powerful dynasty. His legacy continued through his descendants, including Athaliah. 4. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where Ahaziah reigned as king. It was the political and spiritual center of the kingdom. 5. Reign of AhaziahA brief period marked by political alliances and familial influences, particularly from his mother, Athaliah. Teaching Points Influence of Family LegacyThe legacy of our family can have a profound impact on our lives and decisions. Ahaziah's reign was influenced by his mother and her lineage. We should be aware of the positive and negative influences in our own family history and seek to align our lives with God's will. The Importance of Godly CounselAhaziah's short reign and the influence of his mother Athaliah highlight the importance of seeking godly counsel. Surrounding ourselves with wise and godly advisors can help us make decisions that honor God. The Consequences of Ungodly AlliancesAhaziah's connection to the house of Omri, known for its idolatry and wickedness, serves as a warning against forming alliances that lead us away from God. We should be cautious about the relationships and partnerships we form. The Brevity of Life and LeadershipAhaziah's one-year reign reminds us of the brevity of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have. We should strive to live each day with purpose and in service to God. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Ahaziah's family background influence his reign as king, and what can we learn from this about the impact of our own family history? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking godly counsel in our decision-making processes? 3. What are some modern-day examples of ungodly alliances, and how can we avoid them in our personal and professional lives? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the brevity of life. How did it change your perspective on living with purpose? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Ahaziah's reign to our roles as leaders in our families, workplaces, and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 22:2Provides additional details about Ahaziah's age and reign, offering a slightly different perspective on his age when he became king. 1 Kings 16:29-31Discusses Omri's reign and his establishment of a dynasty, providing context for Athaliah's lineage and influence. 2 Kings 11:1-3Describes Athaliah's actions following Ahaziah's death, highlighting her ambition and the continuation of her family's influence. 2 Chronicles 21:6Explains the influence of Athaliah's family on Jehoram, Ahaziah's father, which set the stage for Ahaziah's reign. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Ahaziah, Ahazi'ah, Athaliah, Athali'ah, Daughter, Granddaughter, Jerusalem, Mother's, Omri, Reign, Reigned, Reigning, Ruling, Twenty, Twenty-twoDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:26 5696 grandchildren 2 Kings 8:16-29 5366 king 2 Kings 8:26-27 8739 evil, examples of Library The Story of Hazael
'So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 8:26 NIV2 Kings 8:26 NLT2 Kings 8:26 ESV2 Kings 8:26 NASB2 Kings 8:26 KJV
2 Kings 8:26 Commentaries
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