Topical Encyclopedia Ahaziah, a name meaning "Yahweh has grasped," refers to two distinct kings in the biblical narrative, both of whom are associated with the theme of predestination through their divinely ordained fates. The concept of predestination, in this context, refers to the divine foreordaining of events and outcomes, particularly concerning the lives and reigns of these kings.1. Ahaziah of Israel: Ahaziah, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, reigned as the king of Israel from approximately 853 to 852 BC. His reign is characterized by the continuation of his parents' idolatrous practices, particularly the worship of Baal. The Bible records that Ahaziah "did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and mother" (1 Kings 22:52). His reign was marked by a series of unfortunate events, including a severe injury from a fall through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria. Seeking guidance, Ahaziah sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, rather than the God of Israel. This act of apostasy prompted a divine message through the prophet Elijah, who declared, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die" (2 Kings 1:3-4). Ahaziah's death, as foretold by Elijah, underscores the theme of predestination, as his fate was sealed by his rejection of the God of Israel. 2. Ahaziah of Judah: Ahaziah, also known as Jehoahaz, was the son of Jehoram and Athaliah, and he reigned as king of Judah for a brief period around 841 BC. His mother, Athaliah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, linking him to the northern kingdom's idolatrous legacy. Ahaziah's reign was short-lived, lasting only one year, and was marked by his alliance with Joram, king of Israel, against Hazael, king of Aram. The biblical account notes that Ahaziah "walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab, for he was related by marriage to Ahab's family" (2 Kings 8:27). His downfall was orchestrated by divine providence, as he was caught up in the judgment pronounced upon the house of Ahab. During a visit to Joram, who was recovering from wounds inflicted by the Arameans, Ahaziah was caught in Jehu's rebellion. Jehu, anointed by God to destroy the house of Ahab, executed Ahaziah as part of this divine judgment (2 Kings 9:27-28). Ahaziah's death, as part of the broader divine plan to purge Israel and Judah of Ahab's influence, illustrates the concept of predestination in the biblical narrative. In both cases, the lives and deaths of the two Ahaziahs serve as examples of how divine sovereignty and human actions intersect in the biblical understanding of predestination. Their accounts reflect the consequences of turning away from God and the fulfillment of divine prophecy, as their fates were intricately woven into the larger tapestry of God's redemptive plan for His people. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 22:7And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. Nave's Topical Index Library Discussion of the Subject of Permission Resources What is fatalism? What is determinism? | GotQuestions.orgUnconditional election - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Calvinism and Arminianism ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Predestination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |