A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

In a strange chain of events, while Athaliah reigned in Judah, Israel was reigned by a king
devoted to some degree to the worship of Jehovah. Jehu led a reform of the land abolishing the
worship of Baal. He did this by gathering all of the worshipers of Baal to offer a sacrifice. After
he had confirmed that all those present were worshipers of Baal, he had his men execute those in
the temple of Baal. The idols and temple were then destroyed and burned. “Thus Jehu destroyed
Baal from Israel” (2 Kings 10:28).
Jehu’s recognition of the Lord resulted in the promise of God that his descendants would
sit on the throne for the next four generations. However, Jehu recognized Jehovah in the way that
some might join a church but not experience salvation. Like Jehu, many men get ahead in
business because following godly principles will prosper a man, even when he doesn’t know the
God of the principles. None of the kings of northern Israel experienced Old Testament salvation,
including Jehu; even though he had an outward reformation Jehu still permitted the worship of
golden calves in both Dan and Bethel. Nevertheless, Jehu was as righteous as the kings of Israel
seem to have gotten.
THE REIGN OF JOASH
(2 Kings 11:4-12; 12:1-21;
2 Chron. 23:1-I1; 24:1-27) (835--796 B.C.)
Though evil Athaliah had successfully usurped the throne of David in the south, she did
not appear to have ever enjoyed the popular support of her people during her six-year reign.
Finally the time came when Jehoiada the priest decided the nation would be better off ruled by a
seven-year-old heir than the evil queen. With both widespread military and religious support, the
priest made arrangements to crown Joash king of Judah.
The careful planning of Jehoiada led to a successful coronation of the young king. It was
not until the service in the temple concluded that the people began to clap and chant, “Long live
the king!” Then Athaliah was aware of what had happened. “When she looked, there was the
king, standing by a pillar according to custom; and the leaders and trumpeters were by the king.
All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets” (2 Kings 11:14).
Athaliah must have realized her own end was near. She viewed the coronation as an act
of treason against her. She was taken from the temple and killed at the stable entrance to the
palace. Thus the descendants of Ahab ceased to have an influence in both kingdoms.
Joash was a good king while he was under the influence of Jehoiada the priest. Under his
influence, the people entered into a covenant with the Lord and destroyed the idols. Priests
involved in the worship of Baal were replaced. Temple worship was again restored on a regular
basis. During the early years of Joash’s reign, money was collected for the repair of the temple in
a box called the “Joash Chest.”
While Judah again experienced a time of revival, the beginning of the end was taking
place in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Hazael began attacking the border towns of Israel as
Jehu came to the end of his reign. On his death, his son Jehoahaz assumed the throne. Like most
of the other kings of Israel, the new king led his people into the sins that had previously become
commonplace in the nation. As a result, Israel was under the displeasure of God and was
constantly oppressed by Syria throughout the seventeen-year reign of Jehoahaz.
At the same time, spiritual life was improving in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The
repairs of the temple continued throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest. By the time of his
death, the temple economy had been restored and burnt offerings were being offered continually.
But on the death of the priest, Joash was influenced by the princes of the land and began