Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Athaliah kills Ahaziah’s descendants and becomes queen of Judah. Joash escapes and hides for six years. The people declare him king, kill Athaliah, and uproot the temples of Baal.
II. Photo
Young Joash goes into hiding: “And they kept him hidden from Athaliah so that he was not put to death.” (v. 2b)
III. Important Verses
1-3: When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, learned that her son was dead, she promptly killed off all who were of royal stock. But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, secretly took Ahaziah’s son Joash away from among the princes who were being slain, and [put] him and his nurse in a bedroom. And they kept him hidden from Athaliah so that he was not put to death. He stayed with her for six years, hidden in the House of the LORD, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
9-12: The chiefs of hundreds did just as Jehoiada ordered: Each took his men — those who were on duty that week and those who were off duty that week — and they presented themselves to Jehoiada the priest. The priest gave the chiefs of hundreds King David’s spears and quivers that were kept in the House of the LORD. The guards, each with his weapons at the ready, stationed themselves — from the south end of the House to the north end of the House, at the altar and the House — to guard the king on every side. [Jehoiada] then brought out the king’s son, and placed upon him the crown and the insignia. They anointed him and proclaimed him king; they clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”
13-16: When Athaliah heard the shouting of the guards [and] the people, she came out to the people in the House of the LORD. She looked about and saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom, the chiefs with their trumpets beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Athaliah rent her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!” Then the priest Jehoiada gave the command to the army officers, the chiefs of hundreds, and said to them, “Take her out between the ranks and, if anyone follows her, put him to the sword.” For the priest thought: “Let her not be put to death in the House of the LORD.” They cleared a passageway for her and she entered the royal palace through the horses’ entrance: there she was put to death.
17-18: And Jehoiada solemnized the covenant between the LORD, on the one hand, and the king and the people, on the other — as well as between the king and the people — that they should be the people of the LORD. Thereupon all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal. They tore it down and smashed its altars and images to bits, and they slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. [Jehoiada] the priest then placed guards over the House of the LORD.
IV. Outline
1. Athaliah the queen mother kills Ahaziah’s descendants
2-3. Joash is hidden for six years
4-8. Jehoiada protects Joash
9-12. Joash is crowned king
13-16. Athaliah is killed
17. The people rededicate themselves to God
18. The people destroy Baal’s temples
19-20. The king is brought to the palace
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Cogan, Mordechai and Hayim Tadmor. “II Kings” The Anchor Bible v. 11 (USA: Doubleday, 1988).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Hobbs, T.R. “2 Kings” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 13 (Waco, Texas: Wordbooks, 1985).
Photo taken from http://www.mind-tap.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/hiding.jpg
