Ahaziah has a short time to rule

2 Chronicles Chapter 22

After his death, Jehoram's youngest son Ahaziah became king. Marauding bands of Arabs killed all the older sons, so Ahaziah reigned as King of Judah. He was 22 years old and only reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, and Ahaziah followed the evil example of King Abab's family and his mother and advisors from Ahab's family encouraged him in doing wrong.

Ahaziah made an alliance with King Joram, son of King Ahab of Israel. They went to fight King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead and the Arameans wounded Joram in battle. Joram returned to Jezreel to recover, and King Ahaziah went to visit him. But God decided to punish Ahaziah and it was at this time he met with Jehu whom the Lord had appointed to end the dynasty of Ahab.

Jehu was executing judment against the family of Ahab when he met some of Judah's officials and Ahaziah's relatives and he killed them all. Then Jehu's men searched for Ahaziah and found him hiding in the city of Samaria and they brought him before Jehu, who then killed him. None of Ahaziah's family was capable of ruling the kingdom.

When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother learned her son was dead, she set out to destroy the rest of Judah's royal famiy. But Ahaziah's sister Jehosheba took Ahaziah's infant son, Joash, and stole him away from the rest of the king's children who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom so that he would not be murdered. She was the wife of Jehoiada the priest and Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Jehu was a successful king who ruled the northern kingdoms of Israel. God used him as an instrument of punishment to Ahab's evil dynasty and he fearlessly attacked Baal worship. But he too, had weaknesses and made mistakes. He often had a style that showed he was not fully aware of who was directing him. His reckless outlook made him prone to error and he ended up worshiping Jeroboam's golden calves.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? It is wise for us to always seek advice and carefully weigh the advice we are given. But like Ahaziah, often we are given advice that must be tested by God. Sometimes people give us bad advice for whatever reason, perhaps to see us fail. So take a lesson from this chapter and listen carefully to the advice of others, but then give the problem to God. God will test all as is said in I Thessalonians 5: 19-21, "Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good."

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for John recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.