What does 2 Kings 11:21 mean?
"Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign." - 2 Kings 11:21
The verse 2 Kings 11:21 from the King James Version of the Bible states, “Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.” This verse comes at the end of the account of the reign of Ahaziah, one of the kings of Judah. Ahaziah was killed in a conspiracy, and his mother, Athaliah, seized the throne and began to destroy the royal family. However, Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba, rescued her nephew Joash, who was only a year old at the time, and hid him in the temple of the Lord. After six years, Jehoiada the priest organized a coup, and Joash was proclaimed the king of Judah at the age of seven.
The historical context of this verse is significant, as it highlights the political instability and intrigue that characterized the period of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. The succession of kings was often marked by violence and upheaval, and the protection and preservation of the royal line were crucial for maintaining dynastic legitimacy and continuity. The fact that Joash was only seven years old when he began to reign emphasizes his youth and vulnerability, as well as the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his ascent to the throne.
One of the central themes of 2 Kings 11:21 is the providence and faithfulness of God in preserving the line of David and ensuring the fulfillment of his covenant promises. Despite the efforts of Athaliah to eradicate the royal family, God intervened to safeguard the young Joash and orchestrate his accession to power. This divine intervention underscores the overarching sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.
The verse also conveys the concept of divine calling and leadership, as Joash was chosen and anointed by God to rule over his people, despite his tender age. This highlights the biblical motif of God using the weak and humble to accomplish his purposes, as seen in the examples of other young leaders such as Samuel and David. Joash’s reign symbolizes the potential for renewal and restoration, as he was instrumental in initiating reforms and reviving the worship of the Lord in Judah during his early years as king.
Moreover, the symbolism of the number seven in the Bible carries spiritual significance, representing completeness, perfection, and divine fulfillment. The fact that Joash began to reign at the age of seven may symbolize the completeness of God’s timing and the manifestation of his redemptive plan for the nation of Judah. It also foreshadows the reign of the ultimate king, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Davidic covenant and established an eternal kingdom.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 11:21 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, marked by political upheaval, divine intervention, and the emergence of a youthful king. The verse exemplifies the providence of God in preserving his chosen line of rulers and fulfilling his covenant promises. It underscores the themes of divine calling, leadership, and renewal, as well as the symbolic significance of Joash’s accession to the throne. Ultimately, the verse points to the overarching sovereignty of God and his redemptive plan for his people, culminating in the fulfillment of his kingdom through Jesus Christ.
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2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."
"Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign." - 2 Kings 11:21
2 Kings 2:21
2 Kings 21:11 - "Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:"
2 Kings 2:11
2 Kings 2:11
2 Kings 2:11
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."
2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
2 Kings 21:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 2:11 – "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."
2 Kings 21:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel."
2 Kings 3:21 - "¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border."
2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."
2 Kings 24:11 - "And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it."
2 Kings 19:11 - "Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?"
2 Kings 21:26 - "And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 23:21 - "¶ And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."
2 Kings 4:11 - "And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there."
2 Kings 21:4 - "And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name."