33 JEHOIADA
He Defended the Kingship
JEHOIADA was an old man; yet he was still strong, and his zeal for Jehovah burned brightly. During a wicked time, he was a spiritual leader of God’s people on earth, serving as the high priest at the temple in Jerusalem.
Much of the wickedness in the land had to do with a woman named Athaliah. She was the daughter of King Ahab of Israel and his wife, Jezebel, who were so evil that Jehovah had decreed that their entire dynasty be wiped out. Though Athaliah was married to the king of Judah, she hated pure worship. After her husband died, her son began to rule as king, but Jehovah had him executed. Then, Athaliah herself seized the throne, although Jehovah only appointed men as kings and required that they be descendants of David. To secure her position, she decided to wipe out any competition. Her own grandsons were heirs to the throne, so she ordered that they all be killed off.
A high priest and his wife risked everything to protect a helpless child from a murderous queen
Jehoiada was married to a brave young woman named Jehosheba, also known as Jehoshabeath, a member of the royal family. She and her husband could not bear to see the line of David’s kingship exterminated. Jehovah had promised that a descendant of David would rule forever! (2 Sam. 7:12, 13) Jehosheba decided to protect one of those heirs, a baby less than a year old. She gathered her courage and smuggled the infant out of the royal palace. Then she brought the baby boy and his nurse to her husband, the high priest. Jehoiada chose a secluded room in the temple where they could keep the precious child hidden out of sight.
For six years this child, Jehoash, grew up under Jehoiada’s protection, living in secret within God’s house. Those must have been difficult years, for Athaliah would stop at nothing to protect her authority. Finally, though, the time came for Jehoiada to take decisive action. He summoned five loyal military chiefs and revealed to them the great secret: A genuine heir to David’s throne still lived! He told them to station 500 soldiers at key points at and near the temple. Armed with shields and weapons from the temple, they stood around the young boy as Jehoiada led a coronation ceremony. There was a great shouting of applause—and Athaliah came running.
She burst into the temple courtyard, quickly perceived what was going on, and made a last desperate attempt to cling to power. She cried out: “Conspiracy! Conspiracy!”—though she herself was truly guilty of that crime. If she hoped to gain support, she hoped in vain. Jehoiada stood his ground. He ordered the chiefs to take the wicked queen outside the temple. They did so. There they put her to death. Jehovah had decreed that “the whole house of Ahab [would] perish.” (2 Ki. 9:8) Athaliah may have been the last one of that wicked family to be executed.
Jehoiada did not stop at that victory. He went on to have the people and the young king make a covenant of faithfulness to Jehovah God. Then he had the temple of Baal torn down and its priest executed. Afterward, Jehoiada endeavored to help Jehoash grow up to be a good and faithful king. The high priest was a good influence to the end of his days. But finally, Jehoiada died at the age of 130 years. He was given the unusual honor of a burial among the kings who had ruled in Jerusalem.
Sadly, after that faithful man died, Jehoash went astray. Influenced by corrupt princes of Judah, he began to promote false worship. He ignored the prophets who corrected him. One man who stood up to him was Jehoiada’s son Zechariah. He asked the people: “Why are you violating the commandments of Jehovah?” Jehoash responded by ordering his execution! Yet, Zechariah kept his courage to the last, just as his father had done. Centuries later, Jesus Christ spoke favorably of Zechariah. Jesus, like his Father, never forgets the courage of faithful men and women.
Read the Bible account:
For discussion:
In what ways did Jehoiada show courage?
Dig Deeper
1. With whom have some scholars identified “the Carian bodyguard” that helped Jehoiada overthrow Athaliah? (2 Ki. 11:4, 19; it “Carian Bodyguard”)
2. What may “the Testimony” have referred to, and why did Jehoiada put it on Jehoash? (2 Ki. 11:12, ftn.; w91 2/1 31 ¶5-6) A
Picture A
3. Why did Jehoash give an order to repair Jehovah’s house? (2 Chron. 24:4-7, 11-14; it “Jehoash” No. 1 ¶5)
4. Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada. So why did Jesus call him the “son of Barachiah”? (“son of Barachiah” study note on Matt. 23:35, nwtsty)
Reflect on the Lessons
Jehoiada was probably over 100 years old when he hid Jehoash. How might his example encourage elderly servants of Jehovah? (Ps. 92:12, 14) B
Picture B
When Jehoash listened to Jehoiada, he was successful. What lesson can young people learn from this?
In what ways might you imitate the courage of Jehoiada in your life?
Meditate on the Bigger Picture
What does this account teach me about Jehovah?
How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?
What would I like to ask Jehoiada in the resurrection?
Learn More
What can children learn from Jehoash about choosing friends carefully?
“Jehoash Left Jehovah Because of Bad Association” (w09 4/1 24-25)
See how Jehoiada set an example for us in the contribution and use of funds to promote true worship.