2 Kings 11:1-21
11:1 The mother of Ahaziah learns of his death and decides to take the kingship for herself. There are people in life who use times of distress to advance their personal desires and establish their own power. This woman, Athaliah craved the throne and has the rest of the royal family killed in order to take it. In the previous chapter, Jehu destroyed royal lines on God's orders. God's motivations are selfless and restorative.
11:2 As Athaliah kills her way to the throne, another woman has the foresight to protect Judah's future. This woman is the sister of Ahaziah, Jehosheba and she saves the line of David from being completely destroyed. Jehosheba sneaks Ahaziah's son Joash away from Athaliah and hides him with his nurse.
11:3 Joash remains hidden for six years. During that time, Athaliah reigns over the land of Judah. God's timing and placement is perfect. Through Jehosheba, God is able to ensure hope during a foreboding present.
11:4-8 God continues to provide protection for Joash, this time through a man named Jehoiada. Jehoiada organizes and commands a faithful body of captains to surround and protect the young, will-be-king Joash.
11:9-11 Jehoiada the priest has amassed captains over hundreds, and all of these faithful to our true God and His chosen heir. Jehoiada ensures that the men are armed with sheilds and spears that belonged to king David (for it is for David's sake that God is raising Joash as king).
11:12 Jehoiada brings Joash out an crowns him; he is anointed as king.
11:13-14 Athaliah hears the commotion of Joash being cheered as the new king; she is blindsided by this very clear rejection of her position on the throne.
11:15-16 Jehoiada commands the captains to capture Athaliah and to kill her and her followers (outside of the house of the Lord).
11:17 With all of those faithful to the true God gathered, Jehoiada makes a covenant between God, the new king and the people: that they should be the Lord's people. Together the people and king declared their love and obedience to the true God.
11:18 The next order of business: destroying the idol worship around the land. The people tear down the false god's temple and smash the altars and images devoted to evil practices. They also kill Mattan, the priest of the corruption.
11:19 The captains escort the king to the royal house, his rightful place. This is another amazing instance when we see God's promises and protection come into complete and spectacular fruition. Little king Joash returns to the home he was violently forced out of, fully restored.
11:20 The land of Judah is ecstatic to have restored the rightful king, rightful in the sense that he has been chosen by God.
11:21 Joash, written here as Jehoash, is only seven years old at the time he becomes king. Funnily, this young boy is more qualified in God's eyes to be king than a grown adult. God encourages us to love Him as children love, Matthew 18:3, with open and innocent hearts, with sparks of joy and excitement.
