The King that Wasn't...

Bridging the Gap — Jehu Dynasty

Jehu’s dynasty lasted five generations for 89 years.

Wiped out the Omride dynasty fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah

Period of prosperity

Prophets — Amos, Hosea, Micah, Jonah, and Isaiah

Jeroboam II is considered the greatest king of northern Israel primarily due to his move to restore boundaries and strengthening the nation. His death marked the beginning of the end for the nation

The King that wasn’t a King — Athaliah

David’s line is replaced on the throne by a woman — the only time both of these occur formally. This daughter of Jezebel follows the family tradition to promote baal worship in the nation. She seemingly kills every heir to the throne through a cold blooded coup.

She installed Baal worship

Her family and reign were very brutal:

Mother was trampled by horses and eaten by dogs

brother was killed in a coup

Husband died of a gruesome bowel disease

One son killed and the other captured by raiding enemies

She murdered her grandchildren (save one)

Her reign was outside of the norm…understatement of the century — woman, not in the line of David, half Israelite, half Phoenician.

Everyone cowered to her rule.

She sought to extend idol worship and end worship of God.

Evil exists and is seeking to destroy God’s plan and people

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Genesis 6:5 ESV

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The King that was soon to be King — Joash

Jehosheba (daughter of Jehoram, sister of King Ahaziah, and wife of the high priest) rescued Joash and hid him until the right time.

Reigned for 40 years. Did what was right early, under wise counsel but faltered in his later years.

God promised to preserve the line of David

2 Samuel 7:16 ESV

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

Faithfulness matters — for every single one of us

Jehosheba’s example is one worth noting:

She was committed to God

She valued life

She was obedient

She had the courage to stand

The King that almost wasn’t a King — Jesus

Without the actions of Jehosheba, the line of David would not have been preserved.

Isaiah 11:1 (ESV)

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

TREND

Genesis 3:15 ESV

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

God wins — Jesus reigns

1 John 5:4 ESV

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What about you?

Do you recognize the struggle with darkness?

How are you responding?

Do you live in defeat or victory?