Athaliah Queen of Judah
11 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal [a]offspring. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death. 3 So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord six years, while Athaliah was reigning over the land.
4 Now in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of hundreds of the Carites and of the [b]guard, and brought them to him in the house of the Lord. Then he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the Lord, and showed them the king’s son. 5 He commanded them, saying, “This is the thing that you shall do: one third of you, who come in on the sabbath and keep watch over the king’s house 6 (one third also shall be at the gate Sur, and one third at the gate behind the [c]guards), [d]shall keep watch over the house for defense. 7 Two parts of you, even all who go out on the sabbath, shall also keep watch over the house of the Lord for the king. 8 Then you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”
9 So the captains of hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 The priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of the Lord. 11 The [e]guards stood each with his weapons in his hand, from the right [f]side of the house to the left [g]side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 12 Then he brought the king’s son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”
If Jehu was bloodthirsty, Athaliah the daughter of Jezebel and Ahab, was worse. As soon as her son was dead, she killed off her entire family just to take control of the kingdom. Though we see times where Jezebel pulled strings from behind the scenes, Athaliah was not content with that. She wanted full control and she saw her opportunity.
Fortunately, the king’s sister, who is believed to have been a step-daughter to Athaliah, was not caught off guard by her step-mother’s depravity. She stole Joash away and hid him in the one spot Athaliah would never dare to enter, in the temple.
Though evil would appear to be in control for six long years, the reality was that God is always in control. Before Athaliah ever had the opportunity to kill Joash, God had a plan for Joash and the future of His people Israel. So it is only fitting that Joash was hidden in the temple, not only under guard of the priest Jehoiada, but the watchful eye of the sovereign Lord was upon the boy.
Awful and terrible things happen in our world, they are happening even now, as people are being driven by fear, evil, greed, and other vices, to do all sorts of things. God may not prevent these people from doing what they choose, but there will be consequences, and He alone is in control of the master plan. The forces of evil cannot overcome that plan, no matter what they may do.
Trust in God, for He will never fail, and He does not slumber. His ear is always attentive to the cries of His children, and yes, even to those who are not and yet call upon His name. God our father is working all things for the good of those who love Him, will you accept His love and love Him back?