2 Chronicles 22
2 Chronicles 22 deals with the accession of Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, the brief and tragic reign that followed, and the appearance of Athaliah. The main focus of the passage is on how Ahaziah was king for only one year, his alliance with Jehoram (king of Israel), and the incident in which he was killed by Jehu.
1verseThe inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place, because the band of men who came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the oldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
2verseAhaziah was forty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
3verseHe also walked in the ways of Ahab’s house, because his mother was his counselor in acting wickedly.
4verseHe did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, as did Ahab’s house, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.
5verseHe also followed their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
6verseHe returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. Azariah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
7verseNow the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram; for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off Ahab’s house.
8verseWhen Jehu was executing judgment on Ahab’s house, he found the princes of Judah and the sons of the brothers of Ahaziah serving Ahaziah, and killed them.
9verseHe sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (now he was hiding in Samaria), and they brought him to Jehu and killed him; and they buried him, for they said, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart.” The house of Ahaziah had no power to hold the kingdom.
10verseNow when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring of the house of Judah.
11verseBut Jehoshabeath, the king’s daughter, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stealthily rescued him from among the king’s sons who were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she didn’t kill him.
12verseHe was with them hidden in God’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
Structure of the Chapter and Key Events
- Verses 1-4: Ahaziah’s accession and background, his relationship with the house of Ahab, and his mother Athaliah’s influence
- Verses 5-9: Ahaziah goes to war with Jehoram king of Israel in Gilead and is killed through Jehu
- Verses 10-12: After Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah kills all the royal family and hides and preserves the infant Joash
Overall Meaning and Reflection
This chapter reveals the deadly consequences of a leader’s choices and influence, and of a life moved away from God, for the community and future generations. Athaliah’s idolatrous influence and the alliance with the house of Ahab draw the kingdom of Judah into crisis. The rapid destruction of the dynasty and the protection of the young Joash show that even amid human desires and plans, God’s providence and protection continue to unfold.
Points for Reflection
- Who is the person who has influence on me and those around me, and who am I being influenced by?
- Can I trust that God’s protection and providence are still at work even in places no one can see?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When facing important decisions in life, I reflect on whether I am following spiritual standards and the right kind of influence, rather than relying on external success or human relationships.
- I look to the belief that even amid crisis and confusion, God is holding on to my life.
