2 Chronicles 22
This chapter covers the reign of Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram and Athaliah, over Judah. Ahaziah becomes king after the death of his father, but his rule is short-lived due to his alliances with the house of Ahab. His downfall is connected to his close ties to the corrupt northern kingdom of Israel. This chapter also marks the beginning of Athaliah's wicked reign after Ahaziah’s death.
2 Chronicles 22:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place, for the raiders who came with the Arabians into the camp had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, reigned.
2 Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri.
3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly.
4 Therefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord, like the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.
5 He also followed their advice, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth Gilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
Ahaziah became king after his brothers were killed by Arabians, but he was heavily influenced by his mother, Athaliah, a member of the wicked house of Ahab. Ahaziah’s short reign was characterized by the same evil path that Ahab’s house followed, as he sought counsel from them. This alliance with Israel leads Ahaziah to join King Joram of Israel in a battle against Syria, where Joram is wounded. Ahaziah's downfall begins with this choice to align himself with a corrupt northern kingdom.
2 Chronicles 22:6 (NKJV)
6 Then he returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which he had received at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
Ahaziah visits King Joram of Israel in Jezreel as Joram recovers from the injuries he sustained in battle. This action signifies Ahaziah’s strong alignment with the northern kingdom, even visiting its king during a time of weakness. This visit sets in motion events that will lead to Ahaziah’s eventual death.
2 Chronicles 22:7-9 (NKJV)
7 His going to Joram was God’s occasion for Ahaziah’s downfall; for when he arrived, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
8 And it happened, when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers who served Ahaziah, that he killed them.
9 Then he searched for Ahaziah; and they caught him (he was hiding in Samaria), and brought him to Jehu. When they had killed him, they buried him, because they said, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart.” So the house of Ahaziah had no one to assume power over the kingdom.
Ahaziah’s visit to Joram was part of God's plan to bring judgment upon him for his wickedness. When Jehu, anointed by God to destroy the house of Ahab, rises up, Ahaziah gets caught in the chaos. Jehu kills Ahaziah’s family members who supported him, and eventually Ahaziah himself is found and killed. Despite his downfall, Ahaziah is buried with some respect because of his connection to Jehoshaphat, a faithful king. His death leaves Judah without a successor.
2 Chronicles 22:10 (NKJV)
10 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.
Athaliah, upon learning of her son’s death, seizes the opportunity to take control of the throne by eliminating all potential heirs to the throne. Her actions reveal her ruthless ambition and disregard for the royal family of Judah, as she seeks to establish her own rule.
2 Chronicles 22:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered, and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah so that she did not kill him.
12 And he was hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
Jehoshabeath, Ahaziah’s sister, bravely saves Joash, Ahaziah’s young son, from Athaliah’s massacre of the royal heirs. She hides him in the temple for six years, under the care of her husband, the priest Jehoiada. During this time, Athaliah rules over Judah, unaware that an heir to the throne still lives. This act of courage preserves the Davidic line, which will be restored through Joash’s eventual rise to power.