April 21, 2010 2Kings 10:25-14:10

Jehu made burnt offerings and then killed everyone who worshiped Baal. Then he tore apart the temple and burned it, turning it into a public toilet. Jehu was king over Israel 28 years and he died.

Back in Judah, the mother of Ahaziah was Athaliah, she was so angry that her son had been killed that she went on a killing spree of her own - on her own family! She almost got to everyone except that her son's sister saved his son (her grandson?) from her wrath and hid him in the temple. He spent six years hidden while Athaliah ruled Judah. The priest of the temple, Jehoiada staged a coup and anointed him king of Judah. When the queen heard and saw what was going on she called it treason, but the priest had arranged to have her killed discreetly. The priest committed the people to follow God and they smashed the temple of Baal, the altars and idols, too. Little Joash (7 years old) was placed on the throne and the people rejoiced.

Joash had to get creative to collect enough money to repair the temple. He cut a hole in the top of a chest and whatever was collected was placed in the box. Later it was counted by trustworthy servants. So the temple was restored.

Joash avoided a raid on Jerusalem by Hazael king of Aram because he paid him off with the gold from the treasuries of the temple. He reigned in Jerusalem 40 years and was killed by his officials who conspired against him.

Back in Israel, Jehu's son, Jehoahaz became king. Because they were so wicked, the Lord allowed them to be ruled by the Aram for a time. Then, when they had learned their lesson he sent a deliverer. The bible doesn't say who this was, but for a time the Israelites lived in peace. Eventually, they returned to their evil ways and nothing was left of the army but 50 horsemen, 10 chariots and 10,000 foot soldiers. Jehoahaz died and was buried and his son, Jehoash became king. Jehoash did evil and reigned for 16 years.

Before Elisha died, Jehoash went to see him and cried because he was afraid of what would happen without him. Elisha told him to shoot an arrows out the open window and told him that was a sign that the Lord would help him completely defeat the Syrian army. Then he told him to pick up the bunch of arrows remaining and strike the ground with them. Jehoash did and struck the ground only 3 times which made Elisha angry and told him if he had struck the ground 5 or 6 times the Syrians would be completely wiped out. Now they would only be defeated 3 times. Then Elisha died and was buried. Once, when the Israelites were buring a man's body, they were alerted that the enemy Moabites were tracking them, so they threw the body into the tomb of Elisha and it touched Elisha's bones. The man came back to life and stood up.

Syria ruled over Israel the entire time Jehoahaz was king. But the Lord never forgot his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and never turned his back on them or let them get completely destroyed. Jehoash recaptured the towns from Syria during the 3 attacks and defeats Elisha told him about.

Back in Judah, Amaziah son of Joash became king. He ruled for 29 years. He sort of followed the Lord, but allowed the local shrines to remain. He killed the officials who had killed his father. He defeated the Edomites. Then he challenged Jehoash to battle, who replied that he was too big for his britches and he'd better just stay home.

Tomorrow read 2Kings 14:11-17:18