Athaliah's evil reign ends

2 Chronicles Chapter 23

In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada the priest got up the courage to make a pact with five army commanders. These men traveled secretly throughout Judah and summoned the Levites and clan leaders to come to Jerusalem where they gathered at the Temple to make a covenant with Joash, the young king. Jehoiada reminded them that God had made a covenant that promised a descendant of David would be their king.

Jehoiada gave orders to all those who came to help cover the young king and form a bodyguard around him. So the Levites did as Jehoiada instructed and he supplied the commanders with spears and shields that once belonged to king David and were stored in the Temple. Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash and placed a crown upon his head, gave him a copy of God's law and proclaimed him king.

When Athaliah heard the noise of people running and shouts of praise to the king, she hurried to the Temple to see what was happening. Seeing the people from all over the land rejoicing and shouting in happiness to their new king, Athaliah tore her clothes in despair and shouted that this was treason. But Jehoiada ordered the commanders to take her out of the Temple to a place off the Temple grounds and kill her and it was done.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the new king and the people that they would be the Lord's people. The people tore down the temple of Baal and killed its' priest. Then Jehoiada put the Levites back in charge of the Temple and had them present burnt offerings to the Lord and to sing and rejoice as David had instructed.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Athaliah's life ended as her mother Jezebel's had - by execution. She thought she had it made and assumed all heirs to the throne had been killed.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Like Jehoiada found the courage to do what was right in restoring the Temple and anointing the new king, we too, must correct wrongs in the world today. It took Jehoiada seven years to take action against an idolatrous ruler. And it was supposed to be the role of every priest in every generation to confront rulers with God's law. Many priests and ministers today shy away from this duty. Very few priests have made a difference in our world by confronting rulers. Don't you wish this duty would come back into vogue?

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 and Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and 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.