Hezekiah Sets The Example

During the time they celebrated the feast of weeks and the week following, the priests had spent a great deal of time teaching the people what God had commanded, and the people realized many of the things they had accepted as normal were in fact wrong.  For more than three hundred years, both Israel and Judah had accepted worshipping in the high places which frequently led to idolatry.  After two weeks of teaching, the people were inspired for the first time to try to stop it, as II Chronicles 31:1 describes.  “Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.” 

Other kings had tried to stop the Idolatry and worship in the high places.  Hezekiah approached the problem differently, spending time teaching the people God’s word.  As a result the people recognized changes they needed to make to please Him, and began to make the necessary changes.  As a result, they destroyed all the high places they had used for the last three hundred years, even in the states along the border of between Israel and Judah before returning home. 

Encouraged by the people’s reasponse, Hezekiah went further, restoring the old responsibilities of the priests and Levites, personally providing the sacrifices for the daily sacrifices and the specified special sacrifices for the nation each year, according to II Chronicles 31:2-3.  “And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.  He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.”

With Hezekiah setting the Example, he had no problem getting the people to do more than their share, as we see in II Chronicles 31:4-8.  “Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.  And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.  In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.  And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.

Hezekiah had only asked the people in Jerusalem to tithe and give to support their priests.  People from outside Jerusalem heard and began to give as well, and it wasn’t long before they had more than they needed to at the moment.  Realizing that things could happen, Hezekiah commanded that the remainder be stored to meet future needs of the people, in II Chronicles 31:9-19.  “Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.  And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them, And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.  And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.  And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.

And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses; Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses; And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness: Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.”

While one man was in charge of storing all the goods, all the priest were involved in seeing that the needs were met.  It was typical of Hezekiah that he did to everything he did for God the best he possibly could, as II Chronicles 31:20-21 tells us.  “And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.”  Because He set the example for serving God, the people followed.   

Celebrating God’s Blessings

Immediately after dedicating the Temple, Hezekiah decided to keep the Passover.  They had not celebrated it at all during the latter part of Ahaz’ reign, and only mechanically for far longer than that.  The law specified that it was to be celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month, as stated in Leviticus 23:5.   “In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover.”   Unfortunately it had taken until the sixteenth to Get the Temple ready to use, and many of the priests were not yet sanctified.  Fortunately God had specified that those who could not for one reason or another celebrate on the fourteenth day of the first month could partake on the fourteenth day of the second month, in in Numbers 9:9-11.  “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.  The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”

Because neither the priests nor the people were prepared at the proper time, they deciced to wait until the second month so everyone would be prepared.  Hezekiah did not limit the service to Judah, but reached out to the people of Israel as well, and especially those along his border, as II Chronicles 30:1-9 explains.  “And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.  For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.  For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.  So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.  And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.  Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.  For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

Some of the people in Israel made fun of Hezekiah for serving the Lord, but others came to participate, as II Chronicles 30:10-14 describes.  “So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.  Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.  Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.  And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.  And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.”

Convicted about their idolatry, the people destroyed all the altars Ahaz had set up before celebrating the Passover.  Many of the people, especially those from Israel had never celebrated the Passover and had no idea what was involved, and thus were still not prepared, as we see in II Chronicles 30:15-18a.  “Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.  And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.  For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.  For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written.”

For two hundred fifty years, Israel had not officially celebrated the Passover.  As a result, even many families that celebrated it privately had begun to do things contrary to what God had commanded, simply not knowing any better.  Understanding this, Hezekiah asked God to forgive all of those who sincerely sought to obey God because they didn’t know the right way, in II Chronicles 30:18b-20.  “But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one  That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.  And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.” When we do things out of ignorance, sincerely trying to please him, God is always willing toforgive us.  The problem comes when we don’t even try to please him.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorating the seven days israel fled from the Egyptians before crossing the Red Sea followed the Passover immediately, and the people celebrated it as well.  Then just for sheer joy, the people went an extra seven days, as II Chronicles 30:21-27 describes.  “And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.  And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.

And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.  For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.  So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.  Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.”

Restoring The Old Practices

When the priests showed him that the Temple had been opened up and cleaned and was ready for use, Hezekiah took the leaders and went to the Temple to offer the proper sacrifices and sanctify it and the people as the Law specified.   II Chronicles 29:20-28 describes  These first offerings and sacrifices, seeking God’s forgiveness for all the years they had not worshipped during Ahaz’ reign.  “Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.  And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.

So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.  And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them: And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.

And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.  And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.”

Hezekiah and those who were present were thrilled to finally get back to their traditional worship and getting right with God once again, because for several years they had been prohibited from doing so.  Hezekiah encouraged the people to bring sacrifices of thanks giving when they finished their initial time of worship. In II Chronicles 29:29-33.  “And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. 2ch 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.  And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.  And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.”

For years, there had been no offerings of sacrifices, and as a result many of the priests had not kept up their sanctification.  Although the people had had no advance preparation, they brought so many sacrifices the priests who had maintained their sanctification were not able to keep up.   Fortunately, some of the Levites had maintained their sanctification, and were able to help out, as II Chronicles 29:34-35 describes.  “But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.  And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.”

Hezekiah and the people were thrilled by such a spontaneous response, because their had been no advance preparation, as II Chronicles 29:36 explains.  “And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.”  As a result of this many of the priests renewed their certification so they would be prepared to make sacrifices when needed. 

Like Ahaz, our modern “Christian” society has become enamored with the trappings and practices of other religions and new ways of doing things, forgetting the old songs and ways of worship.  After a time the new wears off, and people become jaded, and the pastors find themselves on treadmill, constantly running to keep the people’s attention.  Many times, a leader like Hezekiah can see revival just by going back to the old ways and teachings, allowing God to work in their hearts instead of depending on human programs and personalities.    

Reopening The Temple

One thing a study of the kings of Judah drives home is that Each person decides for themselves whether they will serve God or not.  Uzziah and Jotham had both served God, but Jotham’s son Ahaz rejected God, choosing to practice other religions, leading to his and Judah’s decline.  Ahaz’ son chose to follow God instead of his father’s practices, as I Kings 18:1-6 describes.  “Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.  Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.  He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.  For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

Ahaz had closed up the Temple, forcing the people to worship elsewhere.  One of the first things Hezekiah did was to direct the reopening and rededication of the priests and the temple, as II Chronicles 29:3-11 describes.  “He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.  And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.  Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.  Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.  For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.  Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.  My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.”

The Levites and priests welcomed the return to the old Jewish religion God had commanded.  It only took them about sixteen days to get everything prepared for use, as II Chronicles 29:12-17 tells us.  “Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah: And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah: And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.

And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.  And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.  Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.”

When they finished, the Levites and priests reported to Hezekiah, telling him they had even washed and cleaned the various serving utensils Ahaz had thrown away, in II Chronicles 29:18-19.  “Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the showbread table, with all the vessels thereof.  Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.” They were ready to begin worshipping again. 

Ahaz Changes His Religion

Being attacked from every side, and losing battle after battle, Ahaz decided he had to have som e help if Judah was to survive.  The Assyrian Empire was just beginning to expand, and his most serious threats, Israel and Syria, lay between Judah and Assyria, and the Assyrians were already in conflict with Syria.  A Joingt effort seemed like a great deal for both sides, so he contacted the Assyrians, asking for help and offering to pay for their help, in II Kings 16:7-9.  “So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.  And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.  And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.”

Ahaz’ offer gave the Assyrians incentative to expand and take over Syria and they invaded, defeating the Syrians as far south as Damascus.  They were happy to accept the money, but had no interest in helping Ahaz, insead trying to invade Judah themselves, as II Chronicles 28:20-21 tells us.  “Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.  For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.”

In an effort to negotiate a deal with Assyria and get their help, Ahaz met with Tiglathpileser in Damascus, as II Kings 16:10 describes.  “And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.”  Frustrated that God was not answering his prayers, he decided to adopt the Syrian religion as II Chronicles 28:22-23 describes his reasoning.  “And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.  For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.”

Likw Ahaz, many people view God as some kind of fairy godmother or genie who is there to be ordered aroune.  When he doesn’t give them what they want they get mad and walk out on him, never recognizing him as God and considering what he demands.  Ahaz gave orders for the priests to build an altar like the Syrian one to replace the brazen altar in the Temple.   The priests followed his orders, and when he returned Ahaz tried to make the Syrian religion of Judah, as we see in II Kings 16:11-18.  “And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus. And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.  And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

And he brought also the brazen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.  And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by.  Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.

 And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.  And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

In his efforts to appease the Assyrians, Ahaz stripped the Temple of everything of value, and closed it down, placing altars to other Gods throughout Jerusalem, and the rest of Judah, according to II Chronicles 28:24-25.  “And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.  And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.

Though the people had not been following God fully, they resented Ahaz’ efforts to force them to change their beliefs.  When he died, they refused to allow him to be buried alongside the other kings, as II Chronicles 28:27 tells us.  “And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.”  Changing his religion did not solve his problems.  He needed to get right with  God.  

Ahaz Chooses Not To Serve God

Jotham had been dedicated to serving God, even though his people were not.  As a result, his reign was pretty uneventful, although toward the end, Issrael and the Syrians began to encroach on Judah.  His son ascended the throne at his death, as II Kings 16:1 tells us, ”In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.” 

Ahaz had only been about four when his father became king, and had never seen what life outside of God’s blessings was like.  When he became king, he simply went along with the people who clung to worshipping in the high places, and before long, began to adopt the religious beliefs of the people around them, as we see in II Chronicles 28:1-4.  “Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.  Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.  He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. “

Because of his sin, and that of the people, God cauwsed the Syrians to attack him, hoping to make him realize how much they needed God’s help, as II Chronicles 28:5a tells us.  “Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus…”  While they were not able to depose him or seize Judah, the Syrians seized Elath, driving out the Jewish occupants, according to II Kings 16:5-6.  “Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.  At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.”

While the Syriand were attacking from the south and east, Israel attacked from the north, as II Chronicles 28:5b-8 describes.  “And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.  And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.  And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.”

Israel killed a hundred twenty thousane of Judah’s army, and took two hundred thousand women and children as captives.  Even some of Ahaz’ family and officers were killed.  God intervened, forcing Israel to return the captives, as II Chronicles 28:9-15 describes.  “But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.  And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?  Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,  And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.  And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.”

The attacks by Syria and Israel convinced the Philistines and Edomites Judah was unable to defend itself, and they attacked as well.  Attacked from every side, Ahaz hired the Assyrians to help him, as II Chronicles 28:16-19 informs us.  “At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.  For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.  The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.  For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.”

Jotham’s Peaceful Reign.

Uzziah had been one of Judah’s best and greatest kings, serving God devotedly.  His biggest mistake had been letting his pride convince him he had the right to serve as a priest.  His son Jotham had acted for him after he contracted leprosy, and after his death, Jotham ascended the throne, as described in II Kings 15:32-33.  “In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

Like his father, Jotham was devoted to God. following his fathers’s policies, but he had learned from his fathers mistake, as II Chronicles 27:2 tells us.  “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.”  While the leadership sets the tone for any organization or nation, the people do not always fully subscribe, often just going along to avoid conflict. 

Centuries before, God had forbidden Israel to offer sacrifices in the high places because it was too easy and tempting to begin to worship the trees and rocks instead of God.  Despite Jotham’s best efforts, the people continued their tradition of worshipping in the high places, which had started almost four hundted years before, as II Kings 15:35 tells us.  “Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places…”

Jotham only reigned sixteen years, but he was a very good king during that time, accomplishing a great deal, as II Chronicles 27:3-7 describes.  “He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.  Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.  He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.  So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.  Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.”

While Jotham whole heartedly served the Lord, the people did not, and toward the end of his reign, other groups began to try to invade Judah, as II Kings 15-37 tells us.  “In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.”  Jotham ended up fighting several battles because of the people’s sin.   Even the best leaders cannot force people to do what is right, and sometimes they have to deal with the results of other people’s sin. 

Because Jotham fully served the Lord, there was not a lot of drama during his reign.  Compared to other stories it seems almost boring, and can be summed up as he served the Lord, and the Lord blessed him.  Those who were not as committed often have far more exciting stories.  In Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, the prodigal had a far more exciting life, but his brother was the better son.  Unfortunately we tend to focus on the excitement rather than on the spiritual attitude.   Drama frequently indicates an unspiritual attitude. 

Jotham was widely respected and when he died at a relatively young age, was buried along side the other respected kings, as II Kings 15:38 tells us.  “And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.”

Uzziah’s Pride Leads to Trouble

Uzziah or Azariah setr out to serve the Lord whole heartedly, becoming one of Judah’s greatest kings.  Unfortunately, even the greatest men are not perfect, and success and power often leads to pride and sin.    II Chronicles 26:16-18 describes Uzziah falling into thie very trap.  “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.  And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.”

God had forbideden anyone except the priests to go into the sanctuary or to offer sacrifices there.  Proud of how he had served God, Uzziah ignored that command, offering sacrifices himself.  The priests reminede him of God’s command.  When Nathan pointed out David’s sin, he had repented and asked forgiveness.  Instead of asking forgiveness, Uzziah got mad, as II Chronicles 26:19 tells us.  “Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.” 

Because he did not acknowledge his sin and repent. God cause leprosy to develop in his forehead right in front of the priests.  Following the law, they forced him to isolate himself from the people to prevent the leprosy spreading to other people, as II Chronicles 26:20-21 tells us.  “And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.  And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.”

For the rest of his life, Uzziah lived in a sanitarium, separated from the rest of the people, having his son Jotham serve as his representative.   Though he had sinned and been punished by God, Uzziah never rejected God, and as aresult, even though he had leprosy and could not rule directly he was respected and was buried among the other kings of Judah. According to II Chronicles 26:23.  “So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.”  It was much better than what they thought of some of his ancestors. 

Only God knows how many sincere dedicated men have been forced out of the ministry because their pride in their success led them into sin.  It is a very real danger for all of us. 

Sincerely Serving God

Amaziah had initially followed the Lord, but was not really committed to him.  Later he turned to other religions and the God allowed the kingdom to decline economically and politically,  Finally, the people in Jerusalem conspired to kill him.  It was not a popular conspiracy, and the people buried him along side the other kings of Judah,.  They also named hi son, Azariah, or more commonly known as Uzziah as king, in II Chronicles 26:1-2.  “Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.  He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.”

II Kings 15:1-4 tells us when he became king, and a little about him.  “In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.  Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.”  The offerrings of sacrifices in the high places had begun before the Temple was built, and Solomon had continued the tradition, even though the Law forbade it.  Different ones of the kings had tried to stop it but by Uzziah’s day it was a firmly entrenched practice he could not eradicate. 

While Amaziah had followed God’s laws as a tradition, Uzziah was sincere about worshipping God, actively seeking him for many years, as II Chronicles 26:4-5 tells us.  “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.  And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 

As a result of his obedience, God blessed him abundantly, defeating many of their traditional enemies, and becoming famous even in Egypt.  He had a strong economy and was able to build a strong, well equipped army, as we see in II Chronicles 26:6-15.  “And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.  And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.  And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.

Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.  Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.  The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.  And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.  And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.  And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

During the first forty years of his reign, Uzziah sought the Lord, and as a result Judah became one of the strongest nations in the region, both economically and politically.  Uzziah was one of Judah’s greatest kings. 

Consequences Of A Lack Of Commitment

His victory over the Edomites gave Amaziah a sense of power, and the attacks by the Israelite mercenaries made people angry.  He was advised to punish Israel for having made such unprovoked attacks when they had been paid and had no given the money back.  Joash, the king of Israel had been repeatedly attacked by Syria, beating them several times.  He was ure he could defeat Judah, but as concerned that the Syrians would attack again and perhaps win if he got caught up in war with Judah.  He tried to talk him out of fighting, realizing it was just a matter of pride, in II Chronicles 25:17-19.  “Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.  Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?”

Because he was not fully committed to God, Amaziah had begun worshipping the Edomite idols, believing they would give him additional power.  God was going to use that war to teach Amaziah not to depend on other gocs, as we see in II Chronicles 25:20- 25.  “But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.  So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah. And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.  And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.  And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.”

Joash and the Israelite army soundly defeated Judah, capturing Amaziah, and seizing everything of value they found.  Under constant threat of attack by Syria, they had no interest in trying to occupy Judah, but returned to Israel as soon as possible, leaving Amaziah to rebuild.   The attitudes and moral standards of the leaders set the tone for the attitudes and morals of the people towards their leaders.  Like his predecessors, Amaziah’s turning away from God led to people turning against him, as II Chronicles 25:25-28 tells us.  “And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.  Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?  Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.  And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.”

Amaziah’s life is typical of people who follow their family’s religious customs but have no real relationship with or commitment to God.  They adopt beliefs and moral standards contrary to God’s word, becoming proud of their religious behavior, and, like Amaziah, turn on anyone who questions what they are doing. 

Just Going Through The Motions

Jehoash or Joash had been a popular king but when he turned away from the Lord, it led to defeats by the Syrians and economic hardship, and eventually he murdered by some of his servants.  The people made his som amaziah king in his place, as we see in II Kings 14:1-2.  “In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.”

Like a lot of people who have grown up in Christian homes, Amaziah did what was right, not from a sense of dedication to God, but because it was customary, as II Chronicles 25:2 tells us.  “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.”  II Kings 14:3-4 explains, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.  Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.”   Joash had served the Lord as long as Jehoiada was there to tell him what was right, but had no deep commitment to go himself.  Amaziah was the same way, tolerating and overlooking practices God had forbidden. 

One of his first acts as king was to execute the men who had murdered his father, and in doing this, amaziah followed the Lord’s law, as II Kings 14:5-6 describes.  “And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.  But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”

The Syrians had taken Joash’s efforts to appease them as a sign of weakness and had invaded and defeated Judah.  To prevent that happening again, and to regain control of Edom,  Amaziah greatly enlarged his military force, even hiring a la large force of mercenaries from Israel, according to II Chronicles 25:5-6.  “Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.  He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.”

While it seemed like a logical thing to do, Jeremiah 17:5 warns, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”  God sent a prophet to warn Amaziah he would be killed if he hired the Israelite mercenaries, in II Chronicles 25:7-8.  “But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.  But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.”

 Amaziah was concerned about how much he had paid to hire the mercenaries, but the prophet told him God could take care of his loss, in II Chronicles 25:9-10.  “And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.  Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.”

Although it angered the mercenaries, Amaziah sent them back home, taking only his own forces against the Edomites, in II Chronicles 25:11-12.  “And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.  And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.”  He was able to subdue the edomites, killing many of the forces from Seir and the area south of the dead Sea, and seizing the Citty of Selah as II Kings 14:7 describes.  “He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.”

The problem with hiring mercenaries is that they have little loyalty to their employers.  Learning that Amaziah was fighting the Edomites, the Israelite Mercenaries attacked the northern most areas of Judah, robbing and killing three thousand people, according to II Chronicles 25:13.  “But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.”

When he returned from fighting the Edomites, Amaziah brought back some of their idols, setting them in Judah to be worshipped.  This angered the Lord, who sent a prophet to question him about his sin.  Instead of repenting, Amaziah threatened to kill the prophet, as II Chronicles 25:14-16 tells us.  “Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?

Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.”

Jehoash Turns Away From God

Like many Christians today, Jehoash or Joash served the Lord devotedly as long as his pastor and spiritual advisor was there to guide him.   Unfortunately, like many today, he had not developed his own spiritual relationship with the Lord.  One day, that spiritual advisor will not be there to guide them, and Their lack of spiritual development becomes apparent.  II Chronicles 24:15-18 describes how Jehoash responded in this situation.  “But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.  And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.  Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.  And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.”

Without Jehoiada to guide him, Jehoash began to go along with what other people suggested, gradually turning his back on the Lord, and the rest of the people went along with him.  Instead of trying to develop strong leaders for the people to follow, we need to develop strong people who are focused on the Lord, asnd will not be lead away by strong leaders. 

When they turn away, many times they totally reject everything they have learned and those who have taught them, as II Chronicles 24:19-22 describes.  “Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.  And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.  And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.  Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.”

They even murdered Zechariah for telling them they were wrong, and Jesus referred to hie death, in Luke 11:51.  When he was killed, Zechariah asked the Lord to make it right, and shortly, God brought Judgment on Jehoash and Judah, as II Kings 12:17-18 describes.  “ Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.  And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.” 

Initially the Syrians had only attacked the Philistines, but on their way home, the turned toward Jerusalem.  Jehoash sought to appease them by giving a large amount of wealth to them, even stripping the temple in the process.  As usually happens, the efforts to appease the Syrians convinced them Judah was afraid of them, and they returned in II Chronicles 24:23-24.  “And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.  For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.”

Though the Syrian army was only a very small force, God enabled them to defeat Judahand seriously injure Jehoash.  The defeat led to a revolt by some of his own servants, who murdered him, as II Chronicles 24:25-26 describes.  “And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.  And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.”

For the first twenty  three years of his administration, Jehoash had been a very popular king, but after he turned away from god his popularity waned, and by the time of his death he was os unpopular that they wouldn’t even allow him to be buried along side the other kings.  His som Amaziah became the next king. 

Rebuilding the Temple

Joash or Jehoash was just seven years old when Jehoiada led the uprising and Athaliah was deposed and executed, according to II Chronicles 24:1.  “Joash was seven years old when he began to reign…”  Jehoiada acted as his guardian and chief advisor for several years.  As long as Jehoida was there to advise him, Joash served the Lord, as II Kings 12:1-3 tells us.  “ In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.  And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.  But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.”  Solomon had offered sacrifices in the high places, and later kings had never been able to get the people to stop the practice.  Jehoram Ahaziah, and Athaliah had encouraged the practice, and Joash was unable to stop it either.  As his guardian, Jehoida arranged two marriages for Jehoash, accordint to II Chronicles 24:3.  “And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.” 

Under Jehoiada’s guidance, Jehoash made a serious effort to restore the worship of God instead of the idols his grandfather, father and grandmother had favored.  A major part of that effort involved rebuilding the Temple which Athaliah and her children had attempted to destroy, according to II Chronicles 24:7.  “For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.”

Under the law it had been the Levites responsibility to care for the Tabernacle so Jehoash put them in charge of raising and collecting donations to the building fund, in II Chronicles 24:4-5.  “And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.  And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.”  He put the priests in charge of seeing that the necessary repairs were made, in II Kings 12:4-5.  “And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD, Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.”

The Levites collected the money, but years later, they had not begun construction, as II Kings 12:6 tells us.  “But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.”   Jehoash rebuked the priests for not holding the Levites accountanble in II Chronicles 24:6.  “And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?”  Thanks to his rebuke the priests agreed to leave the business of repairing the temple to Professional construction workers, in II Kings 12:8.  “And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house. ‘

To avoid further misuse of the donations, Jehoash ordered that an offering chest be made so that people could drop in their offerrings voluntarily instead of giving it to the Levites or priests.  The people were thrilled with the new arrangements and gave gladly, as we see in II Chronicles 24:8-11.  “And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.  And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.  And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.  Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.”

Jehoash and Jehoiada personally oversaw the building fund, hiring people to do the different jobs.  Until the repairs were finished, none of the money was used for anything else, as II Kings 12:11-tells us.  “And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD, And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.  Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD: But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.  Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.  The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'.”

They were careful to keep the building funds separate from the offerings for the day to day expenses of the temple, only using the surpluss in the building fund to pay for the necessary supplies when the building was finished, as we see in II Chronicles 24:14.  “And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.”

As long as Jehoiada lived, Judah worshipped God faithfully, and there was a concerted effort to do what was right.   The biggest problems were the Levites and religious leaders who didn’t bother to do their job. 

Usurping The Throne

When Jehu killed Jehoram and Ahaziah’s descendents, he left no one to take the throne, as II Chronicles 22:9b tells us.  “…So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.”  Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, and Ahab’s sister quickly stepped into the vacuum, seizing the throne and murdering Ahaziah’s children, her own grandchildren. As II Chronicles 22:10 descrobes.  “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.” Narcicissts and sociopaths will do almost anything to get their own way,    

Ahaziah’s sister was able to save one of the grandsons, named Joash.  Because she was married to the high priest, as II Chronicles 22:11-12 tells us.  “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, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.  And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.”   

Athaliah had seized the throne based on her having been the wife of Jehoram and the mother of Ahaziah, but she had never been officially declared Queen.  She had played a major part in Ahaziah’s wickedness, pushing for changes in the religious and moral practices of the nation.  After six years of her constant attempts to force them to change their beliefs, the people rebelled, led by Jehoiada, the high priest.   

They began by the army and religious leaders to support them in officially declaring seven year old Joash as king.  They took special precautions to protect him, fearing Athaliah’s followers would try to kill him, as II Chronicles 23:1-11 describes.  “And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.  And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.  This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.  But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.  And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.  Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.  And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.  Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.”

Hearing the celebration, Athaliah went to the Temple to see what was going on.  Realizing what was happening, she accused them of treason, as II Chronicles 23:12-13 describes.  “Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD: And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of music, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.”

In reality, Athaliah had been the one committing treason, seizing the throne from the rightful rulers by fraud and murder.  Under the law, a murderer was to be executed, and Jehoiada gave orders for her execution, in II Chronicles 23:14-15.  “Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.  So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.”

As the King’s guardian, Jehoiada took immediate steps to get Judah back to following God’s law which was in effect their Constitution, as II Chronicles 23:16-20 describes.  “And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.  Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.  And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.  And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.”

Replacing Athaliah and going back to their old way of doing things eliminated most fo the problems that had developed.  The people were pleased by the changes, as II Chronicles 23:21 says.  “And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.”