Now we go over to the other line of kings — the kings of Judah. We find murder and violence there, too. But try to keep the two kingdoms separate, Judah and Israel.
V.1-3 This wicked woman — the daughter of king Ahab, called the daughter of Omri, who was the father of Ahab (2 Kings 8:2626Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel. (2 Kings 8:26)) — murders her grandchildren and takes the throne of Judah herself. But one of the little boys is saved and hidden from Athaliah for six years.
V.4-16 The plot and its result.
V.17-21 It is so beautiful to see that in the middle of this story of murder and treason, a faithful man, Jehoiada the priest, is thinking about the Lord, and how he can bring the people back to Him! For awhile he succeeds.