DEATH OF KING AHAZIAH
Text: 2 Kings 11
20 July 2010
(I) DEATH OF KING AHAZIAH
1. Killed by King Jehu (2 Kings 10:2-29)
2. Occasion: On a social visit to see King Joram (2 Kings 9:27-29)
(II) USURPING THE THRONE OF JUDAH
1. Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah seized power (2 Kings 11:1)
2. She attempted to destroy all the royal seed of Judah (2 Kings 11:1)
(III) WHO WAS ATHALIAH?
1. Athaliah was from the house of Omri
2. She was the daughter of King Omri (2 Kings 8:26)
3. Omri was the father of King Ahab (1 Kings 16:16-28)
4. Ahab was the father of King Joram who was killed by Jehu (2 Kings 9:14-26)
(IV) WICKEDNESS OF ATHALIAH
1. Omri’s bloodline
2. Followed Jeroboam’s idolatrous worship (1 Kings 16:25-26)
3. Ahab introduced Baal worship because of his wife Jezebel (1 Kings 16:30-33)
4. Athaliah’s wickedness in slaying the royal seed of Judah is not unexpected
(V) THE PRIESTLY MINISTRY
1. Original Concept
a) A primary feature in the Kingdom
b) Ministries included the following:-
i) Worship
ii) Instruction
iii) Counsel to Rulers
2. Deterioration of the priestly ministry
a) Over time (especially in the days of Eli)
b) Became a secondary ministry
c) Prophetic ministry became a primary feature
(VI) THE INVOLVEMENT OF JEHOIDA THE PRIEST
(Cf. 2 Chronicles 22)
1. Jehosheba, sister of Ahaziah rescued Joash the son of Ahaziah from being slain by Athaliah (2 Kings 11:2)
2. Jehosheba was the wife of Jehoida the priest (2 Chronicles 22:11)
3. Kept hidden from Athaliah for 6 years (2 Kings 11:3)
(VII) PLAN OF JEHOIDA TO INSTALL JOASH AS THE RIGHTFUL KING
1. Plan involved the military leaders (2 Kings 11:4-12)
a) Protection of young Joash
b) Provision of armour
2. Athaliah caught by surprise (2 Kings 11:13-14)
3. Execution of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:15-16)
4. Covenant made by Jehoida
To be the Lord’s people (2 Kings 11:17)
5. Joash is crowned as the rightful heir to the throne (2 Kings 11:17-21)