Jehosheba 2 Kings 11:1-3

Meaning behind the Names Jehosheba = "Jehovah has sworn” Alternate spelling in 2 Chronicles 22:11 - Jehoshabeath = "Jehovah is an oath" Jehosheba was the wife of Jehoiada = "Jehovah knows"; who was high priest during the reign of Athaliah. Athaliah = "afflicted of the Lord"

The Evil Queen

Athaliah’s murders When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. 2 Kings 11:1

Athaliah’s murders Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Matthew 2:16

A Dark Heart 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, Proverbs 6:16-17

A Dark Heart 1 Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his place, for the raiders who came with the Arabians into the camp had killed all the older [sons]. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, reigned. 2 Ahaziah [was] forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name [was] Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly.

A Dark Heart 4 Therefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5 He also followed their advice… 2 Chronicles 22:1-5a

Desperate Actions in Desperate Times.

Rescuing the innocent But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons [who were] being murdered; and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom, from Athaliah, so that he was not killed. 2 Kings 11:2

Preservation of a King So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land. 2 Kings 11:3

Preservation of a King So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah so that she did not kill him. 2 Chronicles 22:11b

The Arrival of the Rightful King 1 In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, [and made a] covenant with the captains of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri. 2 And they went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, "Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD has said of the sons of David. 2 Chronicles 23:1-3

The Arrival of the Rightful King And they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, [gave him] the Testimony, and made him king. Then Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, "[Long] live the king!“ 2 Chronicles 23:11

The Arrival of the Rightful King So all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet, for they had slain Athaliah with the sword. 2 Chronicles 23:21

Lessons for Us Today

We must try to save the innocent from harm. 1. We do this by teaching our children about God. 2. We do this by setting the right example. 3. We show others what is right even in uncertain times.

Doing what is right can be a risk. 1. Today, we live in a time when living righteously is not popular. 2. Protecting the innocent child was dangerous. 3. Jehosheba sets an example of protecting the innocent even at the risk of personal harm.

Conclusion 1. Jehosheba shows great courage and determination in her actions. 2. Doing what is right always will include courage and determination.