When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the Lord. She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, “Treason! Treason!” Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “Do not put her to death at the temple of the Lord.” So, they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death. (2 Chronicles 23:12-15, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Evil, scandal and intrigue. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah had them all. But who was Athaliah, what did she do, why was she so upset, and why was she put to death?
Who was Athaliah – After Jehoram’s death, “the people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, king in his place, since the raiders, who came with the Arabs into the camp, had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah.” (2 Chronicles 22:1-2, NIV 1984). There’s the evil.
What did she do – But Ahaziah, who was another evil king of Judah, was killed while visiting Joram king of Israel. “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash, son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.” (2 Chronicles 22: 10-11, NIV 1984). There’s the scandal.
Why was she so upset – Killing the royal family allowed Athaliah to rule over Judah. After six years, “Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son [Joash] and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, ‘Long live the king!'” (2 Chronicles 23:11, NIV 1984). There’s the intrigue.
Why was she put to death – Connect the dots. Evil, scandal and intrigue. But there is more to it, if you read between the lines. “When the time drew near for [king] David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'” (1 Kings 2:1-4, NIV 1984). When Athaliah sought “to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah” it would have broken the Davidic line. The line of the Messiah.
My Advice – “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out [attempt to thwart] plans that are not [are] mine.” (Isaiah 30.1, NIV 1984). God has plans for those who are in Christ. It would be wise to follow them and foolish to seek another way. For those who are not in Christ, it would be both foolish and futile to try and thwart them.
The Brew Is A Musing 