Question 1

Who was Athaliah and why did she destroy the royal family?

Accepted Answer

Athaliah was the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah and a daughter of a wicked royal line from the north. When she heard that her son was dead, she tried to secure the throne for herself by killing all the remaining royal sons. Her goal was to remove any rival to her rule. In doing this, she fought against God’s promise that David’s family would remain on the throne. Her violence shows a heart set on power instead of trusting or honoring God’s covenant.

Question 2

Who is Joash in this passage and why is he important?

Accepted Answer

Joash is a young prince from David’s line, the son of Ahaziah. When Athaliah tried to kill all the royal heirs, Joash’s aunt Jehosheba secretly took him and hid him in the temple for six years. Joash is important because he is the surviving heir through whom God keeps the promise made to David about his descendants. When Joash is finally crowned king at seven years old, his rule marks the end of Athaliah’s stolen reign and a return to rightful kingship in Judah.

Question 3

What did Jehosheba and Jehoiada do to protect God’s promise?

Accepted Answer

Jehosheba risked her life by taking baby Joash away from among the king’s sons who were being killed and hiding him with his nurse in a bedroom in the temple. For six years he stayed hidden there. Jehoiada, the priest and Jehosheba’s husband, then carefully planned how to bring Joash out and make him king. He gathered trusted leaders, made a covenant before God, arranged guards around the boy, and led the public anointing. Through their courage and faithfulness, God’s promise to David was kept.

Question 4

Why was Joash hidden in the house of the Lord for six years?

Accepted Answer

Joash was hidden in the house of the Lord to keep him safe from Athaliah, who was killing the royal sons. The temple was a guarded place where a child could be protected and kept out of sight. Spiritually, this shows God sheltering His promised king in His own house while an evil ruler sat on the throne. During those six years, Athaliah thought she had wiped out David’s line, but God was quietly preserving it, waiting for the right time to reveal the true king.

Question 5

What is the significance of the covenant Jehoiada made with the leaders and people?

Accepted Answer

Jehoiada brought the captains and leaders into the temple and made a covenant with them, and later a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people. This meant they agreed together that they would belong to the Lord and support His chosen king. It was not just a political deal but a spiritual commitment to return to God’s rule and ways. Right after this, they tore down the house of Baal and its altars, showing that serving the true God and honoring His king go together.

Question 6

Why was Athaliah killed outside the temple and not inside it?

Accepted Answer

When Athaliah ran to the temple and shouted “Treason,” Jehoiada told the captains to take her out of the temple area and kill anyone who followed her. He clearly said she was not to be killed in the house of the Lord. This showed respect for the holiness of God’s house and kept it from being stained with her blood. Justice still had to be done, but it was carried out away from the place set apart for worship, showing both the seriousness of her sin and the honor given to God’s sanctuary.

Question 7

Why did the people destroy the house of Baal after Joash was crowned?

Accepted Answer

Once Joash was crowned and the covenant was made, the people went to the house of Baal, broke it down, smashed the altars and images, and killed Baal’s priest Mattan. This was a clear break with the false worship that had spread under Athaliah’s rule. By tearing down the idols and their shrine, they were turning back to the Lord alone. The new king’s rule began with removing idols and restoring proper worship, showing that true leadership in God’s people includes throwing out what dishonors Him.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s character and promises?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that even when evil seems to win, God is still at work keeping His word. Athaliah tried to wipe out the royal line, but God preserved one child, Joash, in hiding. God used ordinary people who trusted Him, like Jehosheba and Jehoiada, to protect and reveal the rightful king at the right time. The story reminds us that God does not forget His promises, He can work quietly behind the scenes, and He is able to bring down unjust rulers and restore right order and worship.

Question 9

How can this story of Athaliah and Joash apply to believers today?

Accepted Answer

This story can remind believers that God is faithful even when leaders are corrupt or times feel dark. God can use the quiet courage of people who fear Him, like Jehosheba and Jehoiada, to protect what He cares about. It also shows the need to turn from false “gods” and patterns that pull hearts away from the Lord. In our own lives, this can look like trusting God’s promises when we cannot see the outcome, standing for what is right, and clearing out anything that competes with honoring God as King.

2 Kings 11:1

And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.

Athaliah and Joash

Joash Anointed King of Judah

The Death of Athaliah

Jehoiada Restores the Worship of the LORD

Athaliah and Joash

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2 Kings 11:1

And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.

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Athaliah and Joash

Joash Anointed King of Judah

The Death of Athaliah

Jehoiada Restores the Worship of the LORD

Athaliah and Joash

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