The parallel to this chapter is 2 Kings 11. Priest Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba had custody of young 7-year-old Joash who was the only surviving son of the late King Ahaziah of Judah. He survived the massacre of his brothers by queen Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah and was kept safe in hiding.
When Joash was 7 Priest Jehoiada made alliances with different commanders and heads of families so as to depose Athaliah from leadership of Judah and install the young Joash as the rightful heir to the throne. They brought Joash to the temple, crowned him king, gave him a copy of the covenant and shouted long live the king! When the wicked Athaliah saw what was happening she tore her robes shouting treason, but the troops put her to death. Then the king and all the people made a commitment to the Lord and went and tore down the temple of Baal smashing the altars and idols and killing priest Mattan of Baal. Then Priest Jehoiada placed the oversight of the temple into the hand of the Levite priests. They then took Joash from the temple and placed him on the throne in the palace and the people rejoiced because they were free of Athaliah and that Joash was king.
Amém!
ReplyDeleteRoberto Tiburtino da Silva.