2 Chronicles Chapter 22

What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 22?

Introduction to 2 Chronicles 22

The twenty-second chapter of 2 Chronicles presents a dark period in Judah’s history, chronicling the brief but catastrophic reign of Ahaziah and the murderous usurpation of power by his mother Athaliah. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a nation can spiral into chaos when it departs from God’s ordained leadership pattern. The narrative dramatically illustrates the consequences of ungodly alliances and the corrupting influence of power, while simultaneously revealing God’s faithfulness in preserving the Davidic line through which the Messiah would come.

Context of 2 Chronicles 22

The events of this chapter must be understood within the broader context of the divided kingdom period. Following Solomon’s death and the split of Israel into two kingdoms, both nations experienced cycles of faithful and unfaithful kings. The southern kingdom of Judah, while generally more faithful than the northern kingdom of Israel, had begun to be influenced by the idolatrous practices of the north, particularly through political marriages.

This chapter specifically follows the reign of Jehoram (chapter 21), who had married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. This marriage alliance with the northern kingdom brought the worship of Baal into Judah’s royal court. The events of chapter 22 demonstrate the devastating consequences of this ungodly union, as Athaliah attempts to destroy the entire royal line of David. This chapter serves as a crucial link in the historical narrative, showing how God preserved the Messianic line despite human attempts to thwart His divine purposes.

The chapter also provides essential background for understanding the subsequent reforms under Joash (chapter 23-24), highlighting the pattern of God’s redemptive work even in the darkest moments of His people’s history.

Ancient Key Word Study

• Ahaziah (אֲחַזְיָה) – Meaning “Yahweh has grasped,” this name carries deep irony as Ahaziah failed to grasp onto God, instead following the corrupt counsel of his mother’s family. The Hebrew root אחז (achaz) suggests taking hold or possessing, emphasizing the king’s failure to take hold of his divine calling.
• Counsel (יָעַץ, ya’ats) – The word used in verse 4 describes more than mere advice; it implies a deliberate plan or strategy. The root appears frequently in prophetic literature warning against following human wisdom rather than divine guidance.
• Destruction (תְּבוּסָה, tebusaw) – This rare Hebrew term in verse 7 literally means “downtreading” or “trampling.” Its usage here emphasizes divine sovereignty, as Ahaziah’s downfall is presented as God’s judgment.
• House (בַּיִת, bayit) – Used multiple times in this chapter, this term refers not just to physical buildings but to dynasties and family lines. The attempted destruction of the “house of David” carries profound theological significance.
• Hidden (נִכְחַד, nikhad) – The word used for concealing Joash (verse 9) comes from a root meaning to efface or make disappear. Its usage here emphasizes divine providence in preserving the Davidic line.
• Reigned (מָלַךְ, malak) – This verb appears several times, emphasizing legitimate versus illegitimate rule. The contrast between God’s appointed kingship and Athaliah’s usurpation is highlighted through this term.
• Slew (הָרַג, harag) – This violent term appears repeatedly, emphasizing the brutality of Athaliah’s actions. Its repeated use underscores the severity of the assault against God’s chosen line.

Compare & Contrast

• Verse 2’s description of Ahaziah as “forty-two years old” contrasts with 2 Kings 8:26, which gives his age as twenty-two. This apparent discrepancy actually emphasizes different aspects of his reign – the Chronicles account likely includes the years of influence from his mother’s house, highlighting the depth of corruption in his reign.
• The phrase “walking in the ways of the house of Ahab” (verse 3) deliberately echoes the language used to describe righteous kings “walking in the ways of David.” This linguistic parallel emphasizes the stark contrast between godly and ungodly leadership.
• Verse 7’s statement that Ahaziah’s downfall was “of God” uses the term מֵאֱלֹהִים (me’Elohim) rather than the more personal divine name יהוה (Yahweh), emphasizing God’s role as sovereign judge rather than covenant partner in this instance.
• The description of Athaliah as “destroying all the royal seed” employs the same Hebrew root (שחת, shachat) used to describe God’s judgment in Genesis’s flood narrative, drawing a parallel between human evil and divine judgment.
• The preservation of Joash is described using terminology (verse 9) that echoes Moses’s preservation as an infant, creating a subtle link between these two instances of God’s providential protection of His chosen instruments.

2 Chronicles 22 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of profound theological significance often overlooked in casual reading. The Targum Jonathan, an ancient Aramaic paraphrase of the prophets, draws attention to the spiritual significance of Ahaziah’s death at Megiddo, seeing it as a prophetic foreshadowing of future battles between good and evil. This location would later be identified in Revelation as Armageddon, the site of the final cosmic battle.

The rabbinical commentary Pesikta Rabbati notes that the preservation of Joash in the Temple represents a powerful metaphor for God’s protection of His promises. The fact that God’s house became a refuge for the last surviving heir of David points to the deeper truth that God’s presence is the ultimate sanctuary for His people.

The early church father Ephrem the Syrian, in his Commentary on Chronicles, observed that Athaliah’s attempt to destroy the royal seed parallels Herod’s attempt to destroy the infant Messiah, showing how Satan repeatedly tried to thwart God’s redemptive plan through human agents. Both attempts failed due to God’s sovereign protection of His chosen line.

The chapter also presents a fascinating study in divine timing. The six years of Athaliah’s reign correspond to the number of man (six), while the preservation of Joash in the Temple for those six years demonstrates God’s perfect control even in times of apparent chaos. This pattern of six years of usurpation followed by restoration echoes through Scripture, pointing to God’s ultimate restoration of all things through the Messiah.

2 Chronicles 22 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter powerfully foreshadows several aspects of the Messiah’s story. The preservation of Joash, the last surviving heir of David’s line, parallels God’s protection of Yeshua from Herod’s massacre in Bethlehem. Both instances demonstrate God’s faithfulness in preserving the Messianic line despite satanic opposition.

The role of Jehosheba in hiding Joash in the Temple presents a beautiful type of God’s protection of His Son. Just as Joash was preserved in God’s house, so Yeshua would later be preserved in Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). The period of six years during which the true king was hidden while a usurper reigned prefigures the present age where Yeshua, the true King, appears hidden while usurpers claim authority over this world.

2 Chronicles 22 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The attempt to destroy the royal seed echoes Pharaoh’s attempt to destroy the Hebrew males in Exodus, Haman’s plot against the Jews in Esther, and Herod’s slaughter of the innocents in Matthew. Each instance shows Satan’s repeated attempts to thwart God’s redemptive plan and God’s faithful preservation of His people.

The theme of preservation amid destruction connects with Isaiah 6:13, where a remnant is preserved like the stump of a felled tree. This mirrors how Joash survived as the sole remnant of David’s line, preserving hope for Israel’s future.

The pattern of judgment followed by preservation echoes throughout Scripture, from Noah’s flood to the Exodus to the exile and return. Each instance points forward to the ultimate preservation of God’s people through the death and resurrection of the Messiah.

2 Chronicles 22 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine the influences in our lives and their impact on our spiritual journey. Like Ahaziah, we can be led astray by ungodly counsel, even from those closest to us. The chapter calls us to seek wisdom from above rather than merely human advice.

We’re also reminded of God’s faithfulness in preserving His promises. When everything seemed lost, with the royal line down to a single infant, God demonstrated His sovereign protection. This encourages us to trust Him even in seemingly hopeless situations.

The chapter also teaches us about God’s timing. For six years, it appeared evil had triumphed as Athaliah reigned. Yet God was working behind the scenes, preparing for restoration. This encourages us to trust His timing even when we can’t see His hand at work.

Did You Know

• The name Athaliah means “Yahweh is exalted,” making her actions particularly ironic as she attempted to destroy God’s chosen line.
• Archaeological evidence from this period shows increased Phoenician influence in Judean culture, confirming the biblical account of northern kingdom influence through the house of Ahab.
• The Temple where Joash was hidden had numerous small chambers and rooms where priests lived, making it an ideal hiding place for the young prince.
• Megiddo, where Ahaziah was wounded, was a strategic crossroads that controlled major trade routes, making it a historically significant location for numerous biblical events.
• The six-year reign of Athaliah was the only time in Judah’s history when the Davidic line was not on the throne.
• The word used for “bedchamber” where Joash was hidden specifically refers to a room where beds were stored, not a regular sleeping chamber.
• The preservation of Joash represents the closest the Davidic line ever came to complete extinction.
• Athaliah was the only woman to ever rule over Judah, and her reign was considered illegitimate by biblical authors.
• The pattern of a child-king being protected by priests parallels Samuel’s early life in the Tabernacle.