2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 22: A prince hidden in God's house

Begin in prayer

Before we open 2 Chronicles 22, a hard chapter, let us pray. Ask God to show us that His promises are kept, and to lead us to Jesus, who came from David's family.

Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.

Psalm 16:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Thank You that David's family was not cut off, and show us Jesus, who came from it. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, becomes king, because raiders had killed his older brothers. He walks in the ways of Ahab's house, because his mother Athaliah and others counsel him in evil. He goes with Jehoram of Israel to war against Syria, and then to visit him when he is wounded. The text says Ahaziah's destruction was of God, and Jehu, whom the LORD had anointed, kills him. When Athaliah sees that her son is dead, she destroys all the royal offspring of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, takes Joash and hides him in God's house for six years.

As you read 2 Chronicles 22, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD had promised David a lasting house, and a child of David lived on, hidden in His house.

The LORD had said He would not destroy David's house, and this chapter shows how near it came to ending. Raiders had killed Jehoram's older sons, so Ahaziah, the youngest, became king (verse 1). He walked in the ways of Ahab's house, because his mother Athaliah counseled him to act wickedly (verse 3). The text says his destruction was of God, for Jehu was anointed to cut off Ahab's house (verses 7 and 8). After Ahaziah died, Athaliah destroyed all the royal offspring of Judah (verse 10). One child was left, because Jehoshabeath, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, took Joash and hid him (verse 11). He stayed hidden in God's house for six years, while Athaliah reigned (verse 12). The text does not say the LORD hid the child, yet one of David's line stayed alive in the LORD's house. This fits the LORD's promise that David's house would not be destroyed (2 Chronicles 21 verse 7).

How does 2 Chronicles 22 show us that the LORD had promised David a lasting house, and that a child of David lived on, hidden in His house?

Ahaziah walked in Ahab's ways, and his house fell.

Ahaziah became king at forty-two and reigned one year (verses 1 and 2). His mother Athaliah was his counselor in acting wickedly (verse 3). He did evil in the LORD's sight, as Ahab's house did (verse 4). The text says his destruction was of God, when Jehu was cutting off Ahab's house (verses 7 and 8).

Athaliah tried to destroy the whole royal family of Judah.

When Athaliah saw that her son was dead, she destroyed all the royal offspring of the house of Judah (verse 10). The king's family was cut down by his own mother. It looked as if David's house would end.

Joash was hidden for six years in God's house.

Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, took Joash and rescued him from among the king's sons who were slain (verse 11). She put him and his nurse in a bedroom, and hid him from Athaliah (verse 11). He was with them hidden in God's house six years (verse 12). Athaliah reigned over the land in those years (verse 12).

Jesus came from David's family, as God had promised.

Paul says God brought Israel a Savior from David's offspring, Jesus, as He promised (Acts 13 verses 22 and 23). Matthew begins with Jesus Christ, the son of David (Matthew 1 verse 1). The line of David had to continue until Jesus came.

Memorise

He was with them hidden in God’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 Chronicles 22:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, am I trusting the promise God kept in Jesus?

Athaliah tried to destroy the whole royal family, yet one child was “hidden in God’s house six years.” David's line was not cut off. Paul says that from David's offspring God brought Israel a Savior, Jesus, as He promised (Acts 13 verses 22 and 23).

The line of David had to continue until Jesus came, the Son of David who would die for sinners. We have sinned, and no royal child could pay for it. Jesus went to the cross for His people and carried their sin, and His one offering was enough for them all. Then He rose, and He reigns.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, and will belong to a King who lives forever.

Parent's note

Tell your children that a child of David's family stayed alive in God's house, and that Jesus came from David's line. Parents, verses 7 to 10 tell of killing and a wicked queen, and the text does not say the LORD hid him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He kept David's family alive, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He brought me out also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalm 18:19

Father, thank You that David's family was kept alive in Your house. Thank You for Jesus, who came from David's line, died for sinners and rose. Please give each of us a heart that leaves sin and trusts Him. Amen.