This Week's Story
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Jehoiada shocks Queen Athalizh with the coronation of Joash.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
Joash, child prince becomes king! part two
Commanders, army captains, and The Temple guard stood in position. Each had a weapon in hand. Their mission: prevent the assassination of Prince Joash.
A large circle of soldiers surrounded Prince Joash. He was seven years old and looked too small for such mighty protection. Jehoida, high priest of God in Judah, directed the men. For six years he had been responsible for Joash’s education and safety, as Joash was hidden from Athaliah in The Temple of God in Jerusalem.
Jehoiada knew that if Queen Athaliah of Judah learned that Joash was alive, she would move swiftly to have him killed. He was the rightful heir to the throne. She was not. He was in the line of David. She was not, and had ordered the murder of many of Joash’s uncles and brothers.
Two centuries earlier God had told the prophet Nathan that King David’s throne would be established forever. Now Joash must be saved from Queen Athaliah.
Jehoiada invited people in the nation of Judah into The Temple to see the crowning of the king. Joash at age seven would need close guarding, especially as his presence previously had been kept secret.
Jehoiada placed a king’s golden crown upon the head of Joash. He gave him a copy of God’s laws and anointed him with oil by putting oil on his head. This was a symbol that God was giving him blessing and the job of being king.
The sound of trumpets pierced the air. The crowd of people shouted, “Long live the king!” “Long live the king!”
In the palace Queen Athaliah heard the crowd shouting from The Temple. She never went to The Temple. She worshipped the idol Baal. What was causing this massive shouting? She went to The Temple and saw the young king standing by a pillar. Princes and trumpet players stood near him. The people were filled with joy as they saw their new king.
Athaliah tore at her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!
Jehoida ordered the commanders and captains, ‘Kill her, but not in The Temple!
“Athaliah ran into the driveway of the horses. There, she who had commanded the deaths of many in the royal family, was killed.
Jehoida called the crowd to listen to him.
“Under Athaliah’s rule you have been expected to worship an idol, made of wood or stone. Some of you have ignored God and not told your children the stories of how God rescued our people from slavery in Egypt. Our nation has been torn with some of us becoming idol worshippers and some hungering for a nation that recognized that there is one true God.
“Now let us promise to God that we will serve Him.”
The people spoke with purpose, “We will serve the Lord.”
Jehoida turned to Joash, the new king. “Joash, will you serve God and follow His Word?”
Joash looked intently at Jehoiada, “Yes, I will.”
Join us when we learn in part three of the nation of Judah, and Joash after their promise.
Our recording team today is Carlos Gamez, Todd Warren, and Barbara Steiner.
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