Jehoahaz, also known as Ahaziah, was the son of Jehoram (also called Joram) and the sixth king of the Kingdom of Judah. His reign is recorded in the historical books of the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Kings 8:24-29 and 2 Chronicles 22:1-9. Jehoahaz's rule was notably brief, lasting only one year around 841 BC.

Family Background and Ascension to the Throne

Jehoahaz was born into the royal lineage of David, being the son of Jehoram and the grandson of Jehoshaphat, both of whom were kings of Judah. His mother was Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, which linked him to the northern Kingdom of Israel. This connection to the house of Ahab would have significant implications for his reign and the spiritual state of Judah.

Upon the death of his father Jehoram, Jehoahaz ascended to the throne. His rise to power was marked by the political and religious influences of his mother Athaliah, who was a strong proponent of Baal worship, a practice that had been introduced and promoted by her parents in Israel.

Reign and Religious Influence

Jehoahaz's reign was characterized by the continuation of idolatrous practices that had been established during his father's rule. The influence of his mother Athaliah and the house of Ahab was evident in his governance. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 8:27 states, "And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab, for he was a son-in-law to the house of Ahab."

His reign was a period of spiritual decline for Judah, as the worship of Baal and other Canaanite deities was prevalent. This idolatry was in direct opposition to the covenantal laws given to Israel, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Military Campaigns and Death

During Jehoahaz's short reign, Judah was involved in military conflicts, particularly with the neighboring kingdom of Aram (Syria). The biblical account in 2 Kings 8:28-29 describes how Jehoahaz joined forces with Joram, king of Israel, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth-gilead. In this battle, Joram was wounded, and Jehoahaz went to visit him in Jezreel.

Jehoahaz's reign came to an abrupt end when he was assassinated by Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, not to be confused with Jehoahaz's grandfather. Jehu was anointed by the prophet Elisha to execute judgment on the house of Ahab, and in his zeal, he killed both Joram of Israel and Jehoahaz of Judah. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 9:27, "When Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled up the road to Beth-haggan. Jehu pursued him, shouting, 'Shoot him too!' So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur near Ibleam, but he escaped to Megiddo and died there."

Legacy

Jehoahaz's death marked a turbulent period in Judah's history, as his mother Athaliah seized the throne and attempted to exterminate the royal line of David. However, Jehoahaz's legacy is overshadowed by the idolatry and political instability that characterized his reign. His brief rule serves as a reminder of the consequences of departing from the ways of the LORD and the influence of ungodly alliances.2 Chronicles 21:17
And they came up into Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
Nave's Topical Index

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... of this prophecy "the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit ... also, and his wives;
so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz [Ahaziah, Azariah ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... He was buried in Samaria, and left Jehoahaz his son his successor in ... and repairing
of the temple, which was brought to decay by Jehoram, and Athaliah and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... In the year 884 Jehoram was slain in his chariot; Jezebel ... So much broken was the
force of Jehoahaz, Jehu's son ... Joash, his son, was a mighty king, and would have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... Jehoahaz, 2:K.13:1-9. Reigned 17 years and died. ... whose unhappy alliance with Ahab,
led his son, who followed ... all the evil of the reign of Jehoram, Ahaziah and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... that by the Philistines and Arabians under Jehoram.2 Chron ... and punishment of these
king's children"Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. ... 5:1; 6:14), the word son being used ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... 5. Concerning The Wickedness Of Jehoram King O Jerusalem ... As Also How Neco Carried
Jehoahaz, Who Had ... Jews, And Slew Jehoiakim, And Made Jeholachin His Son King. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Questions.
... How did Jehoram act on coming to the throne? ... Who was set up instead of Jehoahaz? ... of
another branch of David's family, or else it meant that his son should not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Madara belonged to a certain Lapturi, son of Tubusi, mentioned in the campaign
of the king's second year. In comparing the facts ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Gilead and the cities previously annexed by Jehoahaz must, therefore ... to a letter
from Elijah to Jehoram of Juda ... and to the "History of Jehu the son of Hanani ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Who was King Josiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Jehu in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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