G8 p 1,2. Introduction.
q 3,4. Events. Personal.
q 5-9-. Events. Public.
p -9. Conclusion.
2 Chronicles 22)
1 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: (see note on Jehoahaz [21:17]) for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. (see 21:17) So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
790 i.e. 789-788 B.C.
2 Forty and two years old (= a son of 42 years: i.e. of the house of Omri, on account of his connection with it through his mother [[832-790 = 42]. In 2 Kings 8:26. Ahaziah's actual age [22 years] is given when he began to reign [790 B.C.] during the 2 years of his fathers disease. His father, Jehoram, was 32 when he began to reign with Jehoshaphat, 2 years before the later's death [2 Kings 8:16]. This was in 796. Jehoram therefor was born in 828 B.C. Ahaziah, his son, being 22 when he began his co-regency, was therefore born in 812 B.C.; his father being 16 years old) was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the grand-daughter of Omri.
3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: (cp. 2 Kings 8:27) for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.
4 Wherefore he did the evils in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab: for they were his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction.
5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Jehoram. (See1 Chron. 25:11)
6 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.
7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: (cp. 2 Kings 9:21-27) for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. (Cp. 2 Kings 9:6,7)
8 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hiding himself in Samaria, (the province, not the city)) and brought him (his wounds being partially healed) to Jehu: (who must have been then at Megedio [2 Kings 9:27]) and when they had slain him, they buried him: "Because," said they, "he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart."
So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.
G9 F1 22:10. Athaliah. Murderess.
G1 22:11,12-. Joash. Rescue and concealment.
F2 22:-12. Athaliah. Usurpation.
G2 23:1-11. Joash. Investiture.
F3 23:12. Athaliah. Alarm.
G3 23:13-. Joash. Station.
F4 23:-13-15. Athaliah. Execution.
G4 23:16-19. Joash. Execution.
F5 23:20. Athaliah. End.
10 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. (the enemies 3rd attempt at this time, to destroy the royal succession. This time he well-nigh succeeded.)
11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, (As Christ, the Antitype, Who was raised from among the dead, and is now hidden on high) and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. (one formerly used by the priest) So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, (i.e. of the former king of that name [2 Kings 11:2]) the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (hence her action. "Libnah" [21:10]) (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.
788-782 B.C.
12 And he was with them hid in the house of God (the safest of all places at that time; for its courts were deserted [24:7) six years: (the number of man)
and Athaliah reigned over the land.