the Jigsaw of Joash #1 Summary Post

 

  Realising that my previous post- the Jigsaw of Joash #1- was, perhaps, tough reading, I have decided to write a short summary.

  the Jigsaw of Joash #1 aims to set the scene regarding the life of Joash.

  Joash was a King of Judah. Years before he was born, the Kingdom of Israel (originally ruled by David and then his son Solomon) had split. 10 of the 12 tribes rebelled against God’s chosen King and started the northern Kingdom of Israel. The 2 southern tribes formed the Kingdom of Judah.

  The Kingdom of Israel always had a rocky time. Eventually, after 7 Kings and 3 assassinations, Ahab became King. He was a wicked ruler, as were his sons. Ahab was killed, his wife was trampled to death, his elder son died due to disease and his youngest son was executed in a coup. His daughter, Athaliah, however, survived and married into the Judah royal family.

   Athaliah led her Judean husband/King astray badly. He acted wickedly and rejected the Lord God. After his death, she then manipulated her son, the new King, convincing him to assist her Israeli brother in a war against Syria. He was murdered after only 1 year, by an Israeli military commander.

   Finding herself the most senior female in the Judean royal family, Athaliah ruthlessly murdered her sons and grandsons, leaving her route to power clear. She seized the throne and became Queen of Judah.

   It would appear that the evil Queen Athaliah had utterly destroyed the ‘line of David’. The Lord God had promised to send a Messiah- or Saviour- who would be descended from King David. However, at this point in the story, it looks as if any hope of an annointed God-sent King has been exterminated.

   Looks can be deceiving….

   Read the Jigsaw of Joash #2 (coming soon) to discover what happened.

   (alternatively, and preferably too, turn to 2 Chronicles chapter 22 or 2 Kings chapter 11!)