The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah (Jehoahaz), Jehoram's youngest son, king because Arab raiders had killed all the older sons, and he reigned one year, walking in the ways of Ahab's house because his mother Athaliah was his counselor in wickedness. Ahaziah joined Jehoram (Joram) king of Israel in war against Hazael of Syria at Ramoth-gilead, where Joram was wounded and returned to Jezreel to recover; Ahaziah went to visit him and was caught in the divine judgment executed by Jehu son of Nimshi. Jehu killed Ahaziah's relatives who had come to visit the royal family, then Ahaziah was found hiding in Samaria, brought to Jehu, and executed; his body was buried honorably only because he was Jehoshaphat's grandson, leaving the house of David with no one able to rule.
Read 2 Chronicles Chapter 22 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Builder of the temple and Israel's most glorious king
Reforming king who restored temple worship and trusted God against Assyria
Young king who led the greatest revival, rediscovered the Law
Godly king known for his prayer and trust in God during battle
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
King of Israel, Husband of Jezebel
Places in This Chapter
Jezreel was both a city and a fertile valley (also called the Valley of Megiddo or Armageddon). King Ahab had a palace here where Jezebel orchestrated Naboth's murder for his vineyard. Jehu killed Jezebel here, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy. The valley has been a battlefield throughout history and is associated with end-times prophecy.
Ramah (also Ramathaim-zophim) was the hometown of Samuel the prophet. He lived here, judged Israel from here, and was buried here. It was a center for the prophets and the school of prophets. Saul first met Samuel here when searching for his father's donkeys.
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and later became the name for the entire region between Judea and Galilee. After the Assyrian conquest, the population became mixed, and the Samaritans developed their own form of worship. Jews and Samaritans had deep hostility. Jesus broke social barriers by speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well and telling the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Position in Book
Alternating faithful and unfaithful kings, with special attention to reformers like Hezekiah and Josiah.