2 Kings 11
2 Kings 11 deals with dramatic events surrounding the succession of the kingdom of Judah. In scenes where the history of a usurpation and salvation intersect, it records how Athaliah tries to kill her grandson, Joash, but Joash is rescued and becomes king. Amid a crisis for Judah’s royal family, it shows how God’s promises and prophecies are kept.
1verseNow when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.
2verseBut Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
3verseHe was with her hidden in the LORD’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
4verseIn the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the LORD’s house; and he made a covenant with them, and made a covenant with them in the LORD’s house, and showed them the king’s son.
5verseHe commanded them, saying, “This is what you must do: a third of you, who come in on the Sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
6versea third of you shall be at the gate Sur; and a third of you at the gate behind the guard. So you shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.
7verseThe two companies of you, even all who go out on the Sabbath, shall keep the watch of the LORD’s house around the king.
8verseYou shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.”
9verseThe captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
10verseThe priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David’s, which were in the LORD’s house.
11verseThe guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king.
12verseThen he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, “Long live the king!”
13verseWhen Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the LORD’s house;
14verseand she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
15verseJehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks. Kill anyone who follows her with the sword.” For the priest said, “Don’t let her be slain in the LORD’s house.”
16verseSo they seized her; and she went by the way of the horses’ entry to the king’s house, and she was slain there.
17verseJehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’s people; also between the king and the people.
18verseAll the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over the LORD’s house.
19verseHe took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the LORD’s house, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. He sat on the throne of the kings.
20verseSo all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house.
21verseJehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.
Key Structure and Flow
- Athaliah’s Usurpation of the Throne (Verses 1-3): Athaliah, from the house of Ahab, seeks the throne and tries to destroy the royal line. However, Joash is secretly rescued at this time by Jehosheba, the wife of the priest Jehoiada, and is hidden in the presence of the LORD.
- Preparing for and Carrying Out the Coup (Verses 4-12): The high priest Jehoiada gathers the captains of the army and the Levites and secretly plans to set Joash on the throne. At the appointed time, the soldiers keep watch over the temple, so that Joash can appear before the people.
- Joash’s Accession and Athaliah’s Final End (Verses 13-16): Joash is enthroned amid cheering, and Athaliah causes commotion, but in the end she is dragged out of the temple and put to death.
- Renewing the Covenant with the LORD (Verses 17-21): All the people, the king, and the priests renew the covenant with God. They remove idols, and everyone begins again with joy and gratitude.
The Overall Meaning of the Passage
This chapter shows how God’s covenant is preserved even in human crisis and wickedness. There was human power struggle, betrayal, and danger, yet God protects the line of King David in Judah so it will not end. In particular, we can see God’s will being fulfilled through the courage and wisdom of faithful figures such as Jehoiada and Jehosheba. It also emphasizes that when a crisis arises, the covenant must always be renewed by turning back to God.
Points for Reflection
- Do you believe that God’s promises never fail, even in moments of crisis?
- You can think about how important the small devotion of a faithful believer is, even in the face of the relentless persistence of evil forces.
- In the moment of crisis in my life, how am I making faith-based decisions?
Applying It to Me
- Take time to consider whether there is any covenant or promise in my current life that I must surely keep before God
- even amid difficulties, not giving up and living with hope in God
- Remember that my small choices and obedience are ultimately the channel through which God’s great purpose is fulfilled, and live faithfully today with courage
