Athaliah Executed

 

 

2 Chronicles 23:8-15

 

July 3, 2023

 

The Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men, who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss the divisions.  And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears and the large and small shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of God.  And he set all the people as a guard for the king, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house.  Then they brought out the king's son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, “Long live the king.”

Athaliah Executed

When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she went into the house of the Lord to the people.  And when she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments leading in the celebration. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”  Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains who were set over the army, saying to them, “Bring her out between the ranks, and anyone who follows her is to be put to death with the sword.” For the priest said, “Do not put her to death in the house of the Lord.”  So, they laid hands on her, and she went into the entrance of the horse gate of the king's house, and they put her to death there.

Seven years of a person leading the nation of Judah that was not of the Lineage of David, an evil person, who had no fear of man or God till one day she heard the people praising the King.  Payday comes to all people, and it is always based on the choices we make.  Athaliah chose to reject the ways of right living and choose evil, she had a short rule over the people.

 

What is so encouraging to this writer who is experiencing the rule of an evil ruler; is that the majority of the people rejoiced that a seven-year-old from the house of David, who had been taught the ways of God would be their King.

 

I long for leaders who have a personal relationship with God and a healthy fear of Him to lead this nation.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice