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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Day 65 - 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge - 2 Kings 9 - 12 Great Adventure A Journey Through the Bible


Day 65 

2 Kings 9 - 12



Bible Time Period:  Divided Kingdom 
Israel split into rival kingdoms and fell into idolatry:  Help me to choose your kingship over other loves. 

Jehu
The tenth king of Israel from 841 to 814BC, the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi.  An officer in the army, Jehu was anointed at Ramoth-gilead at the command of Elisha. He began to conspire against Joram, and eventually defeated the Omride Dynasty, slaying Joram at Jezrell.  He had Jezebel killed and then slaughtered the rest of the royal family and various kinsmen of Ahaziarh  of Judah.  In these actions, Jehu fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah against the Omride Dynasty, and the change of rule marked as well a significant change in religious policy.  Having installed himself, Jehu set out to eradicate the Baal worship that had flourished through the patronage of Jezebel.  His zeal in stamping out Baal worship won him a four generation dynasty.  But his violence went too far, and the prophet Hosea condemned him for spilling too much blood in Jezreel. (Catholic Bible Dictionary, General Editor, Scott Hahn, page 422) 


Athaliah
The wife of Jehoram, king of Judah, and apparently the daughter of King Ahab and Jezabel; she was also the mother of Ahaziah, king of Judah.  One of the most infamous queens in the Old Testament, she usurped the throne after the death of her son Ahaziah and commanded the murder of the whole royal family, nearly exterminating the line of David.  Only the infant Joash was spared, because the priest Johoiada hid the child in the Temple. From about 841 - 835 BD there was no Davidic king on the throne of Judah.  Athaliah appears to have promoted the cult of Baal, which adds to her infamy in sacred history.  In the sixth year of her reign, Jehoiada secured the support of the palace guard and had Joash proclaimed king, restoring the house of David to the throne.  Athaliah was taken by surprise and was seized with little trouble.  She was then executed in the palace, and her temple of Baal in Jerusalem was destroyed. (Catholic Bible Dictionary, General Editor, Scott Hahn, page 79)



Today's Reading
2 Kings 9 - 12


Commentary 
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Art
Death of Athaliah - Gustave Dore

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