TO CHEW ON: "Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, 'Long live the king!' ” 2 Chronicles 23:11
Who is your favorite storybook wicked stepmother or evil queen? Did you know the Bible has an evil queen story?
Athaliah was the wife of King Jehoram. After Jehoram died, his son Ahaziah reigned, but for only one year. When the young king was murdered, evil Athaliah went to work. In a few brutal hours she killed all the king’s relatives. Then she crowned herself queen.
But someone escaped. Priest Jehoiada and his wife rescued Ahaziah's baby son Joash and hid him in the temple for six years.
When Prince Joash was seven years old, Jehoiada met with the army commanders. He told them to bring all the priests and Levites to Jerusalem. On a special day the priests, Levites and many people gathered outside the temple. Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out the seven-year-old prince. They put a crown on his head and everyone shouted “Long live the king!”
Queen Athaliah heard the noise. She went to the temple to find out what was happening. When she saw little Joash standing there with a crown on his head she shouted, “Treason! Treason!”
But no one was on her side. Though she tried to run away, the soldiers quickly captured her and put her to death. Though she thought her plan to be queen was foolproof, God had other ideas. He protected the real king Joash by keeping him hidden and safe until it was time for him to be crowned.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your protection. Amen
SUPERSIZE IT: Hide and Seek
It’s fun to play the game “Hide and Seek.” But when you’re hiding from someone who wants to take your life, “Hide and Seek” can be deadly. Priest Jehoiada hid little Joash in the temple. Match these hiding places with the hunted people who hid in them (check the Bible references if you need to).
A. A well (2 Sam.17:17,18) ______________________
B. Hidden by his mother at home (Exodus 2:2) ______________________
C. A cave to be safe from King Saul (1 Samuel 24:3) ___________________
D. On a roof under stalks of flax (Joshua 2:6) _______________________
1. David
2. Spies
3. Moses
4. Jonathan and Ahimaaz
Answers
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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