Week 5: The Reign of Joash in Judah

The Reign of Joash in Judah: 2 Kings 11-13

Objective: 

• Athaliah Reigns in Judah

• The overthrow of Athaliah by Jehoiada

• Jehoash Repairs the Temple

• Jehoahaz Reigns in Israel

• Death of Elisha

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 11:1-20
  • 2 Kings 12:1-16
  • 2 Kings 13:1-9, 14-21

Key verse(s):

• “So Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel” 2 Kings 13:4

Comments:

• Athaliah claimed herself the queen when her son died.
  

• Jehoiada the priest worked on putting everything back in place. He led the army to dethrone her.
• He also led the people to a spiritual reformation. The people made a covenant to be the Lord’s people.
• King Jehoash forces on reforming the Temple. Even when he did not see any progress, he met with the leaders to discuss with them the reasons and the ways of achieving that goal.
• Unfortunately in chapter 13, we see Jehoahaz followed the works of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. God was not happy and sent the king of Syria as a punishment.
• Elisha died. Joash called him my father which is also the word that Elisha said at the moment of Elijah’s ascension to heaven. It was known at that time among the people that this was what Elisha said to Elijah, so the same was said to him as well as a respect to his father. The people knew the spiritual importance of Elisha as he is the "chariot of Israel".
• The bow and arrow is a prophecy that God will help Joash over Syria. It is a symbol of God's hands over his hand (Elisha putting his hand over his). 
• Elisha was angry as he stopped without Elisha telling him to. It was. a prophecy that he will beat Syria only three times.
• It is a symbol that in everything we should throw the first arrow to God AKA get God's help first then the earthly matters.
• Elisha's bones brought the dead man back to life. This shows the importance of the Church honoring the bones of the saints.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Did Athaliah have the right to the throne?
2. Name some of the good things Joash (Jehoash) did during his reign.
3. Where did the money from the Trespass Offering go?
4. Was Jehoahaz evil or good?
5. Why call Elisha “the chariots of Israel and their horsemen”?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Jehoash was _______ years old when he became king.
2. The money brought to the house of the Lord was kept in:
   a) a chest b) a bank c) the palace of the king d) the priest's house
3. Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord and the Lord:
   a) listened to him b) rebuked him c) oppressed Israel
4. The dead man was revived when:
   a) Elisha prayed for him b) the sickness left him c) his body touched the bones of Elisha d) the whole congregation prayed for him