2 Kings 11:20
and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace.
and all the people of the land rejoiced.

Judah rejoiced because the Davidic throne had been restored in Joash after Athaliah’s violent usurpation. Her overthrow ended six years of idolatrous influence connected with the house of Ahab and opened the way for covenant renewal under Jehoiada’s leadership. The preservation of Joash demonstrated God’s faithfulness to His promise that David would not lack a descendant to sit on his throne (2 Samuel 7:12–16). The restored king anticipates Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David whose righteous reign brings lasting joy.

2Ch 23:21 and all the people of the land rejoiced.…
1Ki 1:40 All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing……
Est 8:15-17 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king…

And the city was quiet,

Jerusalem had endured fear, disorder, and spiritual corruption while Athaliah ruled. The destruction of Baal’s temple and the removal of its priest accompanied the crowning of Joash, showing that peace was joined to the restoration of true worship. God gave His people rest when rebellion was judged and His appointed order was honored. Such peace points beyond political stability to the peace Christ gives through His reign and redemption.

2Ch 20:30 Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God…
2Ch 14:6-7 Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities…
1Ki 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest…

because Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace.

Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, had seized Judah’s throne by murdering members of the royal family and promoting Baal worship. Her death outside the sacred precincts brought judgment upon an unlawful ruler and ended her attempt to extinguish David’s line. Evil did not prevail over God’s covenant purposes; the Lord preserved the king through whom His promises would continue until their fulfillment in Christ.

2Ch 23:15 So they seized Athaliah as she reached the entrance…
2Ki 9:33-37 “Throw her down!” yelled Jehu. So they threw her down…
Est 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Athaliah
The daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Athaliah was the queen mother who usurped the throne of Judah by killing the royal family, except for Joash, who was hidden by Jehosheba. Her reign was marked by idolatry and tyranny.

2. Joash (Jehoash)
The rightful heir to the throne of Judah, Joash was hidden in the temple for six years by his aunt Jehosheba and later crowned king at the age of seven.

3. Jehoiada
The high priest who orchestrated the coup against Athaliah, ensuring the preservation of the Davidic line by crowning Joash as king.

4. The Temple of the LORD
The place where Joash was hidden and later crowned king, symbolizing the preservation of God's covenant with David.

5. The King’s Palace
The location where Athaliah was executed, signifying the end of her illegitimate rule and the restoration of rightful leadership.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Leadership
God is in control of leadership transitions, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled even amidst human schemes.

The Importance of Godly Counsel
Jehoiada's role highlights the importance of godly leadership and counsel in guiding and protecting God's people.

Rejoicing in Righteousness
The people's joy reflects the natural response to the establishment of justice and righteousness.

The Preservation of God's Promises
Despite human attempts to thwart God's plans, His promises, such as the Davidic covenant, remain steadfast.

The Role of the Community in God's Plan
The collective action of the people in supporting Joash's coronation underscores the importance of community in fulfilling God's purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Athaliah's downfall and Joash's rise to power demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we seek and provide godly counsel in our own communities, as Jehoiada did for Joash?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy after a period of difficulty. How does this relate to the people's rejoicing in 2 Kings 11:20?

4. How can we actively participate in God's plans for justice and righteousness in our own lives and communities?

5. What lessons can we learn from the preservation of Joash about God's protection and provision in seemingly hopeless situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 23
This chapter provides a parallel account of the events in 2 Kings 11, offering additional details about Jehoiada's role and the covenant renewal.

Exodus 15:20-21
The rejoicing of the people parallels the celebration of the Israelites after the defeat of Pharaoh's army, highlighting God's deliverance.

Psalm 30:5
The joy of the people after Athaliah's death reflects the theme of mourning turning into joy, as seen in this Psalm.

Isaiah 9:6-7
The restoration of Joash as king foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a righteous ruler from David's line.
AthaliahJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 11:1-21
Malign SuccessionChristian Commonwealth2 Kings 11:1-21
The History of AthaliahDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 11:1-21
The History of AthaliahD. Thomas 2 Kings 11:1-21
The Coronation of JoashJ. Orr 2 Kings 11:4-21
The Covenant and its ResultsC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 11:17-21
People
Ahaziah, Athaliah, Carians, Carites, David, Jehoash, Jehoiada, Jehoram, Jehosheba, Joash, Joram, Mattan
Places
Samaria, Sur
Topics
Athaliah, Athali'ah, Beside, Death, Glad, King's, Palace, Quiet, Rejoice, Rejoiced, Slain, Slew, Sword, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 11:1-21

     5487   queen

Library
Jehoiada and Joash
'And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. 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 which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. 3. And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land. 4. And the seventh year Jehoiada
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

New Uses for Old Trophies
The matter I shall speak to you about to-night will lie under four heads. We will give them to you as they occur to us. I. And the first is this, IT IS WELL FOR US TO HANG ALL OUR TROPHIES IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. We, too, are warriors. Every genuine Christian has to fight. Every inch of the way between here and heaven we shall have to fight, for as hitherto every single step of our pilgrimage has been one prolonged conflict. Sometimes we have victories, a presage of that final victory, that perfect
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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