Jehu Takes the Kingship

After the army proclaimed him king, Jehu hurried to Jezreel, where he began his work of execution. Jehoram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel the queen mother, with “all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel,” were killed. “All his great men and his close acquaintances and his priests” were put to the sword. The temple of Baal was laid in ruins, the idolatrous images burned. “Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel.” 2 Kings 10:11, 28.RR 77.3

News of this general execution reached Athaliah, Jezebel’s daughter, who still occupied a commanding position in the kingdom of Judah. When she saw that her son, the king of Judah, was dead, “she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 22:10. This massacre killed all the descendants of David who were eligible for the throne except one, a baby named Joash, whom the wife of Jehoiada the high priest hid in the temple. For six years the child remained hidden, while “Athaliah reigned over the land.” Verse 12.RR 77.4

At the end of this time, “the Levites and all Judah” (2 Chronicles 23:8) united with Jehoiada the high priest in crowning the child Joash and proclaiming him their king. “And they clapped their hands and said, ‘Long live the king!’” 2 Kings 11:12.RR 77.5

“When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people to the temple of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 23:12.RR 77.6

“When she looked, there was the king standing by a pillar according to custom; and the leaders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.RR 77.7

“Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, ‘Treason! Treason!’” 2 Kings 11:14. But Jehoiada commanded the officers to lay hold of Athaliah and her followers and lead them out of the temple to be executed.RR 78.1

In this way the last member of the house of Ahab died. The terrible evil that Ahab’s alliance with Jezebel had unleashed continued till the last of his descendants was destroyed. Immediately after the execution of the unrepentant Queen Athaliah, “all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. They thoroughly broke in pieces its altars and images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal.” 2 Kings 11:18.RR 78.2

Reformation followed. Those who took part in recognizing Joash as king had made a solemn pact “that they should be the Lord’s people.” And now that the daughter of Jezebel had been removed from Judah and the priests of Baal had been killed and their temple destroyed, “all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet.” 2 Chronicles 23:16, 21.RR 78.3