The Levites are
to station themselves around the king, each man with his weapons in his hand (NIV 1984, 2 Chronicles 23:7).
This story would
make a great action adventure film. First Jehu, in a religious coup, cleans
house in Israel, which also leads to the death of Judah’s evil king Ahaziah.
When Athaliah – the queen mother – learns of her son’s death, she sets out with
a vengeance to exterminate the entire royal family, take the throne and install
herself as queen of Judah. Her killing spree rids the kingdom of nearly every possible contender for the throne, and
for six years she wields a tyrant’s fist over Jerusalem.
But Athaliah does
not know about the pact entered into by the Levitical priests loyal to God and
to David’s family. One child has survived Athaliah’s murderous rampage, and the
priests have covenanted together to protect him with their lives, giving him
time to grow up so he can claim his rightful throne.
I don’t know what
inspired Jehoiada the High Priest to know that the time was right, but when the
boy turned seven years old, Jehoiada revealed the boy’s presence and proclaimed
him as king. When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and
cheering the king, she . . . tore her robes and shouted, “Treason! Treason!” (vv. 12,13).
Show me a strong
leader, and I’ll show you strong followers committed to his/her success.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Ask God for the courage to
protect the leaders in your life, be they employer, parent, pastor or project
manager. Consider all the ways that can come back to benefit you in the future.
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