The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Kings 11:20,
"All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace."
Athaliah had seized the throne of Judah for herself when she saw that her son, King Ahaziah, was dead. The first thing we read about her is that she set herself to killing her own family to protect her place on the throne. A wicked woman, she is considered to be one of the twelve bad monarchs of Judah, out of the twenty that followed King Solomon during the divided kingdom period of Israel.
I note the rejoicing of the people when they were finally rid of Athaliah. Rejoicing and calmness. This illustrates some of the truths we read about in the book of Proverbs.
In Proverbs 20:28 we read, "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure." Killing off the royal family may have seemed like a cunning way to make her throne secure, but it insured she would not enjoy a lengthy and satisfying rule over the people.
In Proverbs 29:4 we read, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down." Athaliah was anything but just and it was no surprise to read of the uprising that led to her destruction.
In Proverbs 29:14 we read, "If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever." This was not to be Athaliah's outcome.
In Proverbs 28:15 we read, "Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people." this certainly describes Athaliah's rule.
"All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace."
Athaliah had seized the throne of Judah for herself when she saw that her son, King Ahaziah, was dead. The first thing we read about her is that she set herself to killing her own family to protect her place on the throne. A wicked woman, she is considered to be one of the twelve bad monarchs of Judah, out of the twenty that followed King Solomon during the divided kingdom period of Israel.
I note the rejoicing of the people when they were finally rid of Athaliah. Rejoicing and calmness. This illustrates some of the truths we read about in the book of Proverbs.
In Proverbs 20:28 we read, "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure." Killing off the royal family may have seemed like a cunning way to make her throne secure, but it insured she would not enjoy a lengthy and satisfying rule over the people.
In Proverbs 29:4 we read, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down." Athaliah was anything but just and it was no surprise to read of the uprising that led to her destruction.
In Proverbs 29:14 we read, "If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever." This was not to be Athaliah's outcome.
In Proverbs 28:15 we read, "Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people." this certainly describes Athaliah's rule.
There are many other verses in Proverbs that speak to kings and rulers. It is enlightening to read how these truths are illustrated in the narratives we read in the Scriptures. There is a lot of truth, a lot of wisdom, and a lot of knowledge that can be gleaned from Proverbs. Of course, it requires reading and meditating to avail ourselves of the treasures contained in the book. A wise person will spend time there.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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