Bible Poetry Reading Plan: Ecclesiastes 3-4
2 Kings 11:1-3 (ESV); Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead,
she arose and destroyed all the royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of
Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were
being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah,
so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the
Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
The story of the boy-king Joash is a story often heard in childhood Sunday school classes, but
the ramifications of the events are usually grossly underestimated! The story is much more than a
seven-year old ruler – it is a story of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness to His promise. A spiritual
battle was raging in 2 Kings 11 and the wicked Athaliah was Satan’s tool to abolish God’s prophecy
in Eden that a Redeemer would come and strike the head of the serpent. Athaliah sought to destroy
the royal family, thus wiping out the Davidic line forever. Joash was not just a lucky survivor of a
royal holocaust; he was the sole propagator of the Messianic promise. As the lone survivor, he
was the only one through whom God’s covenant with David could be fulfilled! His rescue and
inauguration was God-ordained. God’s word would stand fulfilled!
When it looks as though God has broken His promise or abandoned us we can be certain that it is
an illusion and that the enemy is tempting us to trust in our feelings and disregard our faith in God’s
character. Let us not give in to his tactics. Our God is faithful and trustworthy all the time.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to speak to you about His character through this story. What does He want to affirm
to you about Himself?
2. How can you apply what God has shown you to your life?
3. Spend some time in spiritual warfare. What are some areas you know you might be tempted
in today in regards to your behaviour, thoughts and attitudes? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and
enable you to live out of His power today. When temptation comes, tell the enemy to get out of
there and respond as you know God wants you to.
