2 Kings 11:1 says, And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. When Athaliah saw that all of Joram's family including Ahaziah were dead, she began to destroy all those who were descendants of David. Mattnew Henry points out that she was the daughter of a king, the wife of a king, and the mother of a king, but she still wanted to destroy anyone of royal descent. As Christians, many people around the world today want to destroy us simply because we are part of the family of God, but we need to pray other Christians never do. Verse two adds, But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. Jehosheba, Joash's aunt took him, Ahaziah's son, and hid him so he was not killed. God had promised that David would always have a descendant on the throne, and no one could void His promise. We are promised everlasting life with God when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and nothing nor anyone can void that promise. Verse three continues, And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land. Joash was hidden in God's house for six years while Ahaziah reigned over the land. We should always find spiritual security in God's house today, even if the world is trying to destroy us. Verse four states, And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord, and shewed them the king's son. In the seventh year after all the royal household were killed except Joash, while Athaiah ruled the people bringing terror to them, Jehoiada the priest gathered those who ruled over troops and brought them to the house of God and showed them Joash, the king's son. When we gather in God's name today in our places of worship, we should be there to show people God's Son, Jesus Christ. Verse five adds, And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house; Jehoiada devised a plan to protect Joash. A third of the people there with him were to be the keepers of the watch over the king's house when they came to worship on the sabbath. On the sabbath, there were twice as many people in service, since the outgoing priests did not leave until evening. There should be times when more people are gathered in God's name to worship Him, and we should all work together when we are. Verse six continues, And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down. Another third were to be at the gate, with the other third beyond the guard to keep watch on the house of God so that it wasn't destroyed. As Christians, we should always be on guard against the forces of evil today so that God's house will always be protected. Verse seven says, And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king. Jehoiada said that two thirds would then always be able to keep watch on God's house. Verse eight adds, And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in. They were also there to protect the king, Joash. Even if he wasn't reigning at this time, he was the rightful king. We need to do our best to protect those who are serving Jesus Christ, the rightful King of all, but we really cannot protect Him. Instead, He protects us spiritually forever. Verse nine continues, And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. The captains did as Jehoiada, God's representative, asked, and we must do what the Holy Spirit asks us to do today if we are to be successful in reaching the lost people of the world. Verse ten states, And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the Lord. Jehoiada gave the captains David's armor. Matthew Henry says this could have been his personal armor or armor that he had gained in wars. I do know that God will arm us with the power of His word when we go out to combat evil in the world. Verse eleven adds, And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple. The guards protected all the temple, just as we must protect all of God's word today by being obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Verse twelve continues, And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. After they were armed and organized, the brought Joash and crowned him king, and the people said long live the king. As Christians, Jesus Christ is our King, and we must proclaim this to the world. We should do this armed with His truth and organized to best do so.
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