Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 11:1-3
1. Tracing family trees can be difficult. Everyone mentioned in these three verses are related in one way or another. Who were Joram and Ahaziah? (See II Kings 8:24.) Who was Athaliah? (See II Kings 8:26.) Who was Jehosheba? (See verse 2.) Who was Joash? (See verse 2.)
2. In verse 1, it says that Athaliah “destroyed all the royal family.” In other words, she killed (or had someone else kill) all her sons and grandsons. Why would she do such a thing?
3. What are the ramifications of Athaliah (almost) wiping out the line of David?
4. Verse 3 notes that Joash was hidden in the house of the Lord for six years. Why would someone be living in the Temple? Consider the role of Athaliah, who she was and what her desires were. You may also want to consider who her mother was and what she tried to do in Israel.
2. In verse 1, it says that Athaliah “destroyed all the royal family.” In other words, she killed (or had someone else kill) all her sons and grandsons. Why would she do such a thing?
3. What are the ramifications of Athaliah (almost) wiping out the line of David?
4. Verse 3 notes that Joash was hidden in the house of the Lord for six years. Why would someone be living in the Temple? Consider the role of Athaliah, who she was and what her desires were. You may also want to consider who her mother was and what she tried to do in Israel.
Please read II Kings 11:4-8
5. The Carites in verse 4 are most likely to be identified as the Cherethites, who, with the Pelethites, form part of David’s elite army and perhaps his personal body guard. David had been dead for about 140 years at this point so what does Jehoiada the priest want with them?
6. Athaliah had been in power for six years. We don’t know of any of her exploits, but we do know she was evil, simply by the fact that she killed all her sons and grandson. Why didn’t the people do something about her? After all, in the Northern Kingdom, where Athaliah was from, they had several instances of political and military coups (one of which we just got done studying). Why not stage a coup?
7. When did Jehoiada show the boy king to the guards? What did he do first? What was the importance of this?
6. Athaliah had been in power for six years. We don’t know of any of her exploits, but we do know she was evil, simply by the fact that she killed all her sons and grandson. Why didn’t the people do something about her? After all, in the Northern Kingdom, where Athaliah was from, they had several instances of political and military coups (one of which we just got done studying). Why not stage a coup?
7. When did Jehoiada show the boy king to the guards? What did he do first? What was the importance of this?
Please read II Kings 11:9-12
8. The guards changed their shifts on the Sabbath, so extra guards at the Temple would not be unusual. Why did Jehoiada use this time make his move?
9. Jehoiada needed time to accomplish this coronation. He had to reveal the king and, presumably, convince the people that this was in fact, David’s heir. He had to crown him, give him a copy of the testimony, the people had to receive him, and he had to be anointed. Once all of that was accomplished, what happened (verse 12)?
Please read II Kings 11:13-16
10. There was great celebration and Athaliah heard about it. When she went to investigate, what did she find? What was her reaction?
11. Athaliah’s reaction to all the celebrating was to declare that they were all committing treason. Since she was the reigning queen at the time, didn’t she have a right to make this claim? Who supported her in this?
12. Jehoiada gives two commands: 1) Put to death anyone who follows Athaliah. Why? What’s behind this command? (We saw Jehu do the same thing in chapters 9 and 10). 2) Do not put her to death in the house of the Lord. Why not? Why take her somewhere else? Hint: Why was the Temple there in the first place and what did they usually do in the Temple?
11. Athaliah’s reaction to all the celebrating was to declare that they were all committing treason. Since she was the reigning queen at the time, didn’t she have a right to make this claim? Who supported her in this?
12. Jehoiada gives two commands: 1) Put to death anyone who follows Athaliah. Why? What’s behind this command? (We saw Jehu do the same thing in chapters 9 and 10). 2) Do not put her to death in the house of the Lord. Why not? Why take her somewhere else? Hint: Why was the Temple there in the first place and what did they usually do in the Temple?
Please read II Kings 11:17-21
13. After the death of Athaliah, Jehoiada made two covenants. One was a three-way covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, and the other between the king and the people. What was the commitment in the first covenant, and what was the commitment in the second covenant? In other words, what was the purpose of these contracts?
14. Verse 18 tells us that all the people tore down the house of Baal and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal. How is this the logical outcome of what’s gone before, especially verse 17?
15. There’s a great procession in verse 19 from the Temple to the palace. Many of those in the procession were military men. Since Athaliah is dead, most of her followers are dead, and the priest of Baal is dead, why do they need this show of military might?
14. Verse 18 tells us that all the people tore down the house of Baal and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal. How is this the logical outcome of what’s gone before, especially verse 17?
15. There’s a great procession in verse 19 from the Temple to the palace. Many of those in the procession were military men. Since Athaliah is dead, most of her followers are dead, and the priest of Baal is dead, why do they need this show of military might?