As we continue our journey through the Kings of Judah in the Lineage of Christ, we’ve hit a point in the road where the two highways of Judah and Israel intersect and merge.
In our last devotional, we looked at Jehoram, the Abhorred. He married Ahab’s daughter Athaliah, killed his brothers to secure his position, led Judah astray and died to no one’s regret. Jehoram’s sons were all killed by Foreign Spears, except for Ahaziah his youngest son. Just over the horizon of this journey will be a dawn of revival for Judah, but as the saying goes, ‘it’s always darkest before the dawn’. This week we will learn from Ahaziah, King of Judah.
Ahaziah took the throne at age 22. He listened to the advice of his mother Athaliah and advisers from the house of Ahab.
He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. – 2 Chronicles 22:3-4
In Redemption, brown represents scorched rebellion against the Lord. The evil kings of Israel and of Judah definitely manifest this rebellious spirit. Therefore Ahaziah’s star ability to topdeck a brown human from deck carries on this lineage of rebellion by lining up another evil ruler or subject who rejects God’s reign.
There were two different kings with the name Ahaziah during this time. It seems likely that Ahaziah of Judah was named after his late uncle King Ahaziah of Israel. Ahaziah, Joram, and Athaliah were all siblings; children of King Ahab and Jezebel. This is where the lineage of Israel and of Judah intersect. Here’s a graph that might help clear up some of the family connections that will play into this story as well as our next devotional.
This graph indicates some things that will not be covered until next week, but the most important thing to note for right now is the family union of Judah and Israel.
Ahaziah, the Wicked may band to a brown king. This flexibility is great for deck building and offers a variety of targets, but also helps to portray Ahaziah’s alliance with his uncle King Joram who ruled Israel from Samaria.
He may also take a brown card from II Kings or II Chronicles from Reserve. I was curious what all playable cards fit this description, so I hopped on lackey and made a list!
DAC/DAE: King Jehu, Defenestrated
EE: Breaking Jerusalem’s Wall, Destroying Bands, Foreign Horses, Hired Sword, Treason! Treason!, Turncoat
EC: Ahaz the Unfaithful, Amon the Forsaken, Athaliah Usurper Queen, Jehoiachin Puppet King, King Amon (Di), King Jehoash (RoA), King Jeroboam II (PC), King Manasseh (DI), King Zedekiah, the Jeering Youths.
Ahaziah was eager to enter the battlefield! He joined his uncle Joram to wage war against King Hazael of Syria. God had commissioned Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, and Elisha to anoint King Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab and take the throne of Israel. During Israel and Judah’s attack on Syria, God’s plan began to take shape. Joram went back to Samaria wounded from battle, and Ahaziah came to check on him there.
2 Chronicles 22:7 says “Through Ahaziah’s visit to Joram, God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall.”
Jehu charged to finish off Joram who lay in the Tower of Jezreel wounded. As Jehu “drove like a maniac” in his chariot (2 Kings 9:20) Joram saw him from a great distance and sent waves of messengers to find out why he was coming. Jehu spared them and actually invited them to join him. So none of the messengers returned.
1 Kings 9:21-24: “Hitch up my chariot,” Joram ordered. And when it was hitched up, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery afoot, Ahaziah!” Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot.” They tossed his body on Naboth’s Vineyard where Joram’s father Ahab had committed murder.
Ahaziah was executed as well, but was buried with his ancestors in the city of David.
The Kings version of King Ahaziah says “if King Ahaziah is discarded, search draw pile for Athaliah and put her in play.” And that’s exactly what happened. Athaliah seized the throne. In a combination of insanity, strategy, and raw evil Athaliah attempted to kill all royal offspring and secure her position as queen. But the story doesn’t end there…
Stay tuned next week for a window of home with Joash, Child King and Jehoiada, King Maker.
Questions To Consider
Ahaziah only reigned one year: What’s a fad or phrase that disappeared quickly? (share in the comments below my dudes)
Ahaziah’s advisers became his undoing: What is the worst advice you’ve ever received?
It says ‘no one in the house of Ahaziah was powerful enough to retain the throne’: How can the church invest more in future generations?
To buy singles, sealed product, and other gaming supplies mentioned, please visit Three Lions Gaming!
