Topical Encyclopedia The treason of Jehoiada against Athaliah is a pivotal event in the history of the Kingdom of Judah, marking the end of Athaliah's usurpation and the restoration of the Davidic line to the throne. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 23, where the narrative unfolds with divine providence and covenantal faithfulness at its core.Background Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, became queen of Judah following the death of her son, King Ahaziah. Her rise to power was marked by violence and idolatry, as she sought to establish Baal worship in Judah, mirroring the practices of her parents in the northern kingdom of Israel. To secure her position, Athaliah attempted to exterminate the royal lineage of David, a direct threat to God's covenant with David that promised an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Jehoiada's Role Jehoiada, the high priest, emerges as a central figure in the resistance against Athaliah. His loyalty to the Davidic covenant and his commitment to the worship of Yahweh motivated his actions. Jehoiada's wife, Jehosheba, had secretly rescued Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, from Athaliah's massacre. Joash was hidden in the temple for six years, under the protection and tutelage of Jehoiada and Jehosheba (2 Kings 11:2-3). The Coup In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada orchestrated a coup to dethrone her and restore the rightful heir to the throne. He gathered the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, forming a coalition of temple and military forces. Jehoiada revealed Joash to them, securing their allegiance to the young king (2 Kings 11:4-12). Jehoiada's strategic plan involved a Sabbath assembly at the temple, where he armed the guards with spears and shields that had belonged to King David. The guards were stationed around the king, ensuring his protection during the coronation. Jehoiada then anointed Joash as king, presenting him with a copy of the covenant, and the people rejoiced, shouting, "Long live the king!" (2 Kings 11:12). Athaliah's Downfall Athaliah, hearing the commotion, rushed to the temple and witnessed the coronation of Joash. Realizing the betrayal, she cried out, "Treason! Treason!" (2 Kings 11:14). However, her cries were in vain. Jehoiada commanded the captains to remove her from the temple precincts and execute her by the sword, thus ending her tyrannical rule (2 Kings 11:15-16). Aftermath and Significance Following Athaliah's death, Jehoiada led the people in renewing their covenant with the LORD, reaffirming their commitment to serve Him and to uphold the Davidic line. The temple of Baal was destroyed, its altars and images shattered, and its priest, Mattan, was killed before the altars (2 Kings 11:17-18). Jehoiada's actions were instrumental in preserving the Davidic dynasty and re-establishing the worship of Yahweh in Judah. His treason against Athaliah was not merely a political maneuver but a divinely sanctioned act to uphold God's covenantal promises. The restoration of Joash to the throne underscored the faithfulness of God to His covenant with David, ensuring the continuation of the messianic line that would ultimately culminate in the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 11:14-16And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason. Nave's Topical Index Library The Fall of the House of Ahab Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources What does it mean that God is just? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Athaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Treason: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Treason of Aaron and Miriam Against Moses Treason of Abner Against Ish-Bosheth Treason of Jehoiada Against Athaliah Treason of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against Moses and Aaron Treason of Rahab Against Jericho Treason of the Betrayer of Beth-El Treason of the Egyptian Servant Against the Amalekites Treason of the Ephraimites Against Jephthah Treason of the Israelites Against King Saul Treason of the Israelites Against Rehoboam Treason of the Shechemites Against Abimelech Treason: Jesus Falsely Accused of Treason: Paul Falsely Accused of Related Terms |
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