2 Kings 11 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Kings 11 Short Summary:

In 2 Kings 11, the evil queen Athaliah murders the royal family of Judah and seizes power for herself. But unknown to her, one of the heirs to the throne survives, a young baby named Joash. Athaliah reigns for 7 years before Jehoiada, a priest in Jerusalem, organizes an overthrow and reveals Joash to the citizens of Judah. The people of Judah accept Joash as the true king and Athaliah is dethroned and executed.

2 Kings 11 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• The reigns of Athaliah and Joash probably fit within the window of 890-835 B.C.

• Joash reigned over Judah for 40 years.

CHARACTERS:

• Athaliah – The mother of Ahaziah, the previous king of Judah who Jehu killed. She was the daughter of Ahab.

• Joash (Jehoash) – He survived the murder of his family and eventually became king of Judah.

• Jehoiada – A priest who played a key role in bringing Athaliah’s reign of terror to an end.

• Jehosheba – The women who saved Joash from being murdered by Athaliah.

WHERE:

• The events of 2 Kings 11 played out in Jerusalem, the capital of the Kingdom of Judah.

OUTLINE:

• ATHALIAH MAKES HERSELF QUEEN (11:1-3):

  • When Athaliah saw that her son was dead (killed by Jehu), she killed everyone else in the royal family that could potentially claim the throne, then she declared herself queen over Judah.

  • But unknown to Athaliah, one of her grandchildren escaped. His name was Joash, and he was hidden from Athaliah in the Temple for 6 years. His escape was orchestrated by Jehosheba, Ahaziah’s sister.

• JOASH IS MADE KING AND ATHALIAH IS DETHRONED (11:4-21):

  • In the 7th year of Athaliah’s reign, a priest named Jehoiada began carrying out a plan to dethrone Athaliah.

  • He gathered the captains and the guards and revealed to them the existence of Joash, the true heir to the throne of Israel.

  • They decided to appoint him king in front of the people, and the guards agreed to guard him during the coronation.

  • On the appointed day, Joash was brought before the people and crowned king. The people celebrated and accepted his coronation. Their new king was 7 years old.

  • When Athaliah heard the people, she went into the Temple, and started crying, “Treason, Treason!”

  • Jehoiada ordered the guards to arrest her. They took her outside the Temple and executed her.

  • Jehoiada made a covenant between the king, the people, and the Lord, that the people of Judah would obey God and respect His commands.

  • The people went to the house of Baal (a false god), tore it down, killed the idolatrous priest, and demolished the altars.

APPLICATION:

• We know very little about Jehosheba, the woman who saved Joash from Athaliah.

• What we do know is that she valued the life of a very young child. She was even willing to put herself in danger to keep Joash alive.

• God ended up using Joash to save a nation from a tyrant, restore godliness in Judah, and preserve the line of King David on the throne (which was one of God’s promises).

• Women who protect the lives of the young (including the unborn), even when it requires personal sacrifice, are beautiful in the eyes of God.