2 Chronicles 21-22

What’s Happening?

God promised that a son of David would rule a united Israel forever. But God’s people are divided by civil war, and the line of David is under threat. Jehoram, the king of Judah, has married Athaliah, the evil daughter of Israel’s king.

Under his wife’s influence, Jehoram takes the throne and slaughters his six brothers (and other potential heirs to David’s throne) to consolidate his power (2 Chronicles 21:1-6). Meanwhile, vassal nations begin to rebel against him (2 Chronicles 21:8-11). The prophet Elijah sends Jehoram a letter warning that if he continues to follow Israel’s treacherous example, God will cut down his dynasty just as he cut down his own family (2 Chronicles 21:12-16). As soon as the letter arrives, the rebels attack and kill all but one of his sons, and a humiliating disease kills Jehoram. Because of his relationship with Israel, the people do not consider him a true king of Judah and he becomes the first of several kings to not be buried in Judah’s royal cemetery (2 Chronicles 21:16-20). 

Only Jehoram’s youngest son Ahaziah survives the purge that killed the rest of his brothers. He’s crowned king, but Athaliah poisons his reign too. Under her influence he invites some of Israel’s royal advisors into his cabinet. Together, they introduce Baal worship and child sacrifice to Judah. Ahaziah further allies himself to Israel by going to war against their enemy, Aram (2 Chronicles 22:1-5). This involvement costs his life and the lives of his family and his leadership (2 Chronicles 22:6-10).

Hearing of her son’s death, Athaliah acts quickly to establish herself as queen of Judah (2 Chronicles 22:6-9). She murders any potential threats to her seat on Judah’s throne (2 Chronicles 22:10). But one of her grandsons escapes her massacre (2 Chronicles 22:11-12). In him, there is a glimmer of hope. God still hasn’t forgotten that he promised David one of his sons would rule a united Israel forever (2 Chronicles 21:7). As a reader, we might hope that Athaliah’s grandson will soon overthrow her. But for now, all we know is that Jehoram's attempt to unite the divided tribes of God’s kingdom has plunged Judah into national chaos and collapse.

Where is the Gospel?

God promised that David’s son would rule a united Israel forever. But Jehoram’s idolatrous marriage with Israel has threatened God’s promises and plunged Judah into national chaos. God’s people are now ruled by an evil queen who is killing any son of David she can find. 

Several hundred years later this same story would repeat itself. Just as Athaliah usurped Judah’s throne, King Herod illegitimately ruled over God’s people. And when he heard of a new threat to his throne in a child named Jesus, he murdered any potential threats to his power (Matthew 2:16). But God still had not forgotten his promises to David. Jesus escapes and eventually grows up and inaugurates the Kingdom God’s people had been hoping for (Mark 1:14-15). During his life Jesus united all of Israel’s divided tribes. People who descended from both Judah and Israel were among his followers (John 4:22-39). And even foreigners formally hostile to Israel and her God admit to Jesus’ kingship and authority (Matthew 27:54). During his life Jesus didn’t just unite Israel but invited all people into his new Kingdom.

Athaliah thought the way to secure the throne of God’s kingdom was through violence and murder—and in a way she was right. The early disciples of Jesus viewed his murder and crucifixion not as tragedy but as his enthronement as King over all God’s people (Matthew 27:27-37). God fulfilled his promise to David by raising his son, Jesus, to the throne at his right hand (Acts 2:29-36). The crucified Jesus is the promised King of God’s people, and no murderous ruler can ever remove him from his throne. God’s hoped-for Kingdom will come. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who does not forget his promises. And may you see Jesus as the promised son of David who now rules an eternal Kingdom over the whole world.