Topical Bible: Obedience: Jehoiada

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Jehoiada, a prominent figure in the history of Judah, serves as a profound example of obedience to God and His commandments. As a high priest during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, Jehoiada's actions were pivotal in preserving the Davidic line and restoring true worship in the kingdom. His life and deeds are primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Background and Role

Jehoiada was married to Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah and sister of King Ahaziah. This connection placed him in a unique position within the royal family. During the reign of Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, who seized the throne after her son's death, Jehoiada's obedience to God became evident. Athaliah, a worshiper of Baal, sought to exterminate the royal line of David, but Jehoiada and Jehosheba courageously hid Joash, the rightful heir, in the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:2-3; 2 Chronicles 22:11-12).

Covenant and Coronation

In the seventh year, Jehoiada demonstrated his obedience to God's covenant with David by orchestrating a coup to dethrone Athaliah and install Joash as king. Jehoiada's careful planning and reliance on God's guidance were crucial. He gathered the commanders, the Carites, and the guards, making a covenant with them in the house of the LORD (2 Kings 11:4). Jehoiada's actions were not merely political but deeply spiritual, as he sought to restore the Davidic line in accordance with God's promises.

Jehoiada's obedience is further highlighted during the coronation of Joash. He brought out the king's son, placed the crown on him, and presented him with the Testimony, an act signifying the king's duty to govern according to God's law (2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chronicles 23:11). The people rejoiced, and Athaliah was executed, marking the end of her usurpation.

Religious Reforms

Jehoiada's obedience extended beyond political restoration to religious reform. He led the people in renewing their covenant with the LORD, declaring that they would be His people (2 Kings 11:17; 2 Chronicles 23:16). Under his guidance, the temple of Baal was destroyed, its altars and images were broken, and the priest of Baal was executed (2 Kings 11:18; 2 Chronicles 23:17).

Jehoiada's influence on King Joash was significant. As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Kings 12:2; 2 Chronicles 24:2). Jehoiada's commitment to God's law and his role in guiding the young king underscore the importance of godly leadership and mentorship.

Legacy

Jehoiada's obedience left a lasting legacy in Judah. His dedication to God's covenant and his decisive actions preserved the Davidic line and reestablished the worship of Yahweh. His life exemplifies the blessings of obedience, as seen in the peace and stability that followed his reforms.

Jehoiada lived to a ripe old age, and upon his death, he was honored by being buried among the kings in the City of David, a testament to his faithfulness and the high regard in which he was held (2 Chronicles 24:15-16). His life serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that faithful obedience to God can have on individuals and nations.

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2 Chronicles 24:16
And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
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Library

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... No doubt Rehoboam's obedience saved him from sharing the fate of the other kings
whom ... from her fury by his aunt, the wife of the High Priest Jehoiada; and when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... stoned, none is more famous than Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, "who was ... It must
be recollected, too, that religious obedience was under the Jewish covenant ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... which He had showed to Israel, and which should have inspired them to glad obedience. ...
is 'right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

The Strait Gate;
... we, as part of the body of Christ, must, in him, render perfect obedience.2. In ... And
so it is written, Jehoiada set "porters at the gates of the house of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Covenant Duties.
... "Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they ...
and if they dispense in a righteous manner its just laws, obedience is due by ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

First Sunday in Lent
... King Joash did what was right so long as the high priest Jehoiada lived, but ... of any
things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday in lent.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... Covenant of the Lord to whom they vow or swear to give obedience, is explicitly ...
"Jehoiada made a Covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... First, he serves God with the heart. The hypocrite does but make a show of
obedience. ... How good was Joash while Jehoiada the priest lived! ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... the gate of the Tigris and the adjoining wall at Assur, he enlarged its principal
sanctuary, reduced several rebellious provinces to obedience, and waged a ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... 26, where the death of Joash is mentioned as one of the consequences of the Syrian
invasion, and as a punishment for his crime in killing the sons of Jehoiada. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm