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A Story of Faith, Courage, and the Power of God
What happens when a queen driven by power stands in direct opposition to God’s plan? This week on the Bible Book Club Podcast, in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Kings 12, we uncover two of the most dramatic chapters in the history of Judah: the rise and fall of Queen Athaliah who was queen of Judah. As the story unravels, King Joash comes to power and plays a crucial role as one of the kings who repaired the temple in the Bible, but we’ll learn a valuable lesson from him about the importance of a spiritual mentor.
It’s a story of betrayal, courage, and the unshakable promises of God. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how God’s plan can prevail even in the face of unimaginable evil, this story will inspire you.
2 Kings 11 – The Fall of Queen Athaliah, Queen of Judah
From the start of 2 Kings 11, Queen Athaliah is out for power…and blood. Desperate to destroy the line of David, from which God has promised to send a savior for Israel, she resorts to the unthinkable–killing her own family, including her grandchildren.
Queen Athaliah’s actions are as shocking as they are calculated—grasping at control with a ruthlessness that would rival her mother, Jezebel. Yet, even as she seems to hold all the power, a daring rescue is underway to preserve the line of David and set the stage for Judah’s redemption.
King Joash’s Rise to Power
A woman named Jehosheba who has access to the palace courageously saves her nephew Joash, the last remaining descendent of David. After hiding him in the temple for six years, her priestly husband Jehoiada orchestrates a daring coup, crowning the young King Joash, killing Queen Athaliah, and restoring Judah to its rightful path.
Normally, this shift in power would be the result of a devastating war. However, God accomplishes it through the faith and bravery of one fairly unknown dynamic Bible couple, Jehosheba and Jehoiada. It’s remarkable to see what God can do through us if we are willing to stand firm in our faith.
2 Kings 12 – King Joash Who Repaired the Temple in the Bible
As we head into 2 Kings 12, King Joash grows up and does what is right in the eyes of the Lord…for a little while. He even becomes one of the kings who repaired the temple in the Bible. However, the story takes a dramatic twist when Jehoiada, King Joash’s spiritual mentor, dies.
Without Jehoiada’s guidance, the true state of King Joash’s heart is revealed and he slips into a lukewarm faith which ultimately leads him down an evil path toward his own betrayal and murder. King Joash was given so much–rescued from the clutches of the evil Queen Athalia by the faithful couple–but in the end he fails to respect the blessings he’s been given and it leads to his own demise.
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Show Notes Mentioned:
Bible Verse Links
- Scene 1: The Wicked Queen of Judah Tries to Kill God’s Plan (2 Kings 11:1-2)
- Scene 2: God Uses a Courageous Woman to Stop Athaliah (2 Kings 11:2-3)
- Scene 3: Joash Is Crowned King (2 Kings 11:4-12)
- Scene 4: Athaliah, The Wicked Queen of South Dies (2 Kings 11:13-16)
- Scene 5: Jehoiada Leads Judah Back to God (2 Kings 11:17-21)
- Scene 6: Joash’s Resume (2 Kings 12:1-3)
- Scene 7: Joash Restores the Temple (2 Kings 12:4-16)
- Scene 8: Joash’s Murder (2 Kings 12:17-24) (2 Chronicles 24:23-25) (Luke 12:48)
The Kings of Israel Chart
Themes of this podcast episode: If you’ve ever struggled to trust God in the face of overwhelming odds—or wondered how He weaves His plans through the messiness of human history—this episode is for you. Faith, courage, and the power of God take center stage as we further unpack 2 Kings 11 and 2 Kings 12.
- Queen Athaliah, queen of Judah, serves as a cautionary tale reminding us evil has its limits.
- The story highlights how God can use faithful couples who are willing to take action.
- King Joash, one of the kings who repaired the temple in the Bible, teaches us spiritual mentorship matters.
