The Ninth King.
You can read King Ahaziah’s story in 2 Kings 8:25-29, 9:16-29, and 2 Chronicles 22:1-9.
When I, Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, became king, I followed the advice of the only leaders I knew: the family of Ahab. With their helpful advice, I continued my father’s legacy.
I allied myself with Ahab’s son Joram, and together, we fought against King Hazael of Aram. One day, he was wounded in battle. I travelled to meet him. Then Joram and I went out and visited Jehu, grandson of Nimshi. While there, Jehu killed Joram and everyone in his family. I escaped, but Jehu caught up with a group of my relatives. He killed them too.
I desperately fled in my chariot, and I made it to Megiddo. But now they’ve found me…
Ahaziah, son of Jehoram and Athaliah, comes to the throne after his father dies from a case of blatant sin and disobedience. Out of all Judah’s Kings, Ahaziah’s reign is the shortest we’ve covered. Things quickly go from bad to worse as God and the enemy nations turn up the intensity, both hoping to pull Judah onto their side.
Let’s see how Ahaziah lived his life…
The Beginning.
“Ahaziah also followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong.”
– 2 Chronicles 22:3
Following his father’s demise, Ahaziah takes the throne. Truth is, he was probably surprised. As the youngest son of Jehoram, he would’ve had zero aspirations of receiving the kingship. “Fortunately” the Arabs carried off all his brothers when they looted Judah.
Here’s his chance to make a real difference for the kingdom. Until he takes advice from his wicked mother and her relatives.
The Middle.
“Ahaziah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin.”
– 2 Chronicles 22:4
Sadly, Ahaziah does not turn to God amidst Judah’s troubles. He doesn’t take the hint that his entire family is gone because they refused to obey God. Rather, he chooses to follow Ahab’s family and take counsel from them. He continues to ally himself with the evil king of Israel: Joram, son of Ahab. Who you listen to impacts what you do.
With his mother’s feedback in hand, Ahaziah teams with Joram and wages war on King Hazael of Aram. It’s then that Joram is wounded. As any good compatriot would, Ahaziah sets off to visit Joram, not knowing this will be the last thing he does.
The End.
“But God had decided that this visit would be Ahaziah’s downfall. While he was there, Ahaziah went out with Joram to meet Jehu…”
– 2 Chronicles 22:7a
Together, Ahaziah and Joram see Jehu, grandson of Nimshi. They don’t realize he is secretly the newly-appointed king of Israel and the man destined by God to destroy the dynasty of Ahab. As Joram tries to communicate with Jehu, he suddenly realizes the situation. This is treason. Joram attempts to flee, but is killed by Jehu.
The king of Judah makes his escape, only for Jehu to bump into a group of Ahaziah’s relatives. Jehu kills them too. Then he turns on Ahaziah, and one way or another (Kings and Chronicles have slightly different stories), Ahaziah makes it no further than Samaria before he’s found, shot with an arrow, and killed. Associating with the wicked puts you in the crossfire.
The one redeeming aspect is that Ahaziah receives a decent burial because, “He was the grandson of Jehoshaphat – a man who sought the LORD with all his heart.” If only he had received a decent burial because of his own deeds.
What Defined Ahaziah?
Ahaziah’s reign was short. He still caused everything to implode in his face. If we look back to the start, we can see how his mistake ran parallel to Rehoboam’s, although it had a far less dramatic result. This reminds me to always…
~ Seek Wise Counsel ~
“When King Ahaziah of Judah saw what was happening, he fled along the road to Beth-haggan. Jehu rode after him…”
– 2 Kings 9:27a
Today’s lesson is as follows: ask God for wisdom before you ask people. Ahaziah refused to seek good counsel, and to make matters worse, he picked the most wicked advisors possible. Now you might say he didn’t deserve death. After all, he wasn’t really doing anything sinful, right? He just hung around with the wrong crowd.
Here’s an example: Have you ever been with a group of friends, peers, etc., and they decide to do something dumb? Not that I’ve ever done this…but let’s say you ding-dong-ditch someone’s house. Maybe you didn’t personally press the doorbell, but you were with the people who did. Then somebody finds out, and you all get in trouble. Is it fair that you got punished, even when you didn’t press the doorbell? Technically, yes. Associating with evil shows that you condone it.
Let me be very clear: this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have friends who aren’t believers. Jesus tells us to spread His message (Matthew 28:18-20), which is difficult to do if we never meet non-Christians.
The distinction is that Ahaziah chose to seek guidance from the wicked. He listened to them in place of God. Please don’t make the same mistake. Don’t be a victim of association. As the adage goes, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Tragically, Ahaziah didn’t listen to Solomon’s words from Proverbs 13:20 and 19:20-21…
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
Allow me to ask you, is there someone you’re associating with whom you shouldn’t be involved with? Again, I’m not saying you shouldn’t love those who are sinners or don’t know God. I’m asking where your advice is coming from and which relationships you’re putting stock in. Are we heeding the world, men, or God?
Good/Bad.
Scripture doesn’t tell us much about Ahaziah’s life, other than his choice of guidance. Instead of listening to the LORD, Ahaziah listened to the world. Like Rehoboam, it cost him. Unlike Rehoboam, the repercussions were immediate. Ultimately, as God exacted judgment on Joram and his family, Ahaziah was caught in the crossfire. For aligning himself with Israel’s kings, he met the same fate.
Which is why we need to put Ahaziah in his place on the Kings Chart…
Now finding both Israel and Judah’s kings dead, Scripture records two firsts. In Israel, the dynasty of Jehu takes over. In Judah, things get interesting as Queen Athaliah rules the land for seven years.
To quote 2 Chronicles 21:9b…
“Ahaziah was given a decent burial because the people said, ‘He was the grandson of Jehoshaphat – a man who sought the LORD with all his heart.’”
Writing, Life, Faith 
Drop a Comment