Following the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah attempts to take over the throne. However, she was unsuccessful in purging every Davidic heir to the throne because the sister of King Ahaziah hid his son, Joash. Her reign was therefore not long lasting – seven years into her reign, Jehoiada, the priest, plotted to execute her, and to install Joash as the Davidic heir. Jehoiada succeeded and Athaliah was put to death. 

Verse 21 tells us that Joash was 7 years old when he began to reign. When he ascended the throne, Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD’S people, and also between the king and the people (verse 17). At the same time, the presence of the Baal temple was removed and Jehoiada posted watchmen over the house of the Lord. 

The renewal of the covenant was an important and essential turning point. It restored and preserved the Davidic line, and mercy is shown on Judah. Second, because of the previous wayward kings, the people had forgotten their identity, that they are a people of God. The renewal of the covenant restored their identity and returned the worship of the LORD. Third, it reminds the king of his responsibility to rule according to the LORD’s standards instead of those that the previous wayward kings had exemplified. These responsibilities were established in Deuteronomy 17, and the king is reminded to keep the LORD’s word near even as he reigns, to serve the people, and to please the LORD instead of to think of his own selfish gains. 

And verse 20 tells us that “all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king’s house”. When the rightful king is on the throne and worship is returned to the LORD, the result is joy and peace. 

For us who live in the times of the new covenant, we can rejoice in the fact that Jesus Christ, the Messiah from the Davidic line, has come. His death and resurrection has promised eternal joy and peace to those who believe in Him. He also promised that he would come again to bring those of us who believe in Him to be with Him. The question is, is Jesus Christ, the rightful King on the throne of your life? Only when He has taken the throne of your life can your worship be returned to the Lord. Have you repented of your sins and acknowledged Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour? If so, then you can be sure that you will be with Him in eternity. And if so, then let us take ourselves off the throne of our lives and decide to let Jesus assume His rightful position. Let Jesus Christ direct our paths, let our worship be unto Him, let our lives be filled with the joy and peace that can come only from our Lord and Saviour. May we be sure of our identity as we be sure of our King.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please take the throne of my life. Please help me to obey Your Word and to worship You daily. Amen.