So, Athaliah, aka Mommie Dearest, got her son Ahaziah killed. But her attitude was, if he can’t rule, no one can. Her hired hands began taking out the royal line of David, including her own grandchildren. Afterwards, she assumed the position and became the only woman to sit on the throne of Judah.
But during the massacre, quick-thinking auntie Jehosheba grabbed her baby nephew Joash and hid him in the vast royal compound.
After seven years, Jehosheba’s husband, Jehoiada the priest, instigated a coup, had Athaliah killed, and put Joash on the throne. Thus, the Davidic throne as God promised continued.
Jehoiada counseled Joash in the fear and admonition of the Lord. During Jehoiada’s life, it was all good.
But the moment Jehoiada closed his eyes, all hell broke loose.
With Jehoiada dead, the best of the worst began to influence Joash.
The order of worship at First Missionary Baptist Church of Jerusalem changed with Salome-style praise dancing, 15-minute sermons, choirs singing two-lyric songs, all under plane-riding, Bentley-driving pastors.
And King Joash loved it.
Meanwhile, Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, believed that old-time religion was still good enough for him and the people as well. He had a little storefront church and broadcast that preached against the big pimping of his faith and how it would lead to disaster.
Eventually, the powers that be grew afraid his message would take hold. With Joash’s consent, these movers, shakers, and fakers, killed the son of the man responsible for putting him on the throne.
It’s said: revenge is best served on a cold plate. The following year, it began to get chilly. The army of Aram invaded Jerusalem, killing all the leaders who had conspired to kill Zechariah.
Joash was also badly wounded and taken to his palace. His officials surrounded his bed. They had served him during the days of Jehoiada and loved and respected his son.
Joash smiled as he looked up at familiar faces. Then his eyes widened, but the scream was muffled as they smashed the pillow over his face.
Friends of Zechariah and those who remembered his daddy made sure Joash wasn’t buried in the tomb of the kings. They bought a small headstone near the side of the road that cars could easily run over. No one protested as the consensus was there wasn’t any honor to uphold.
References – 2 Chronicles 22-24
