There are some individuals mentioned, like Jehoahaz in the Bible, that are still worth being a part of the discussion today when you study the Holy Book. But not because they were good people but because they teach us a meaningful lesson about God’s Will, love, mercy, and patience. Sometimes it’s beneficial for Christians to see the other side of the event, the evil side. In order to make sure they never cross over to this wicked side.
It is also important for Christians to observe God’s reactions to these disloyal and disobedient children. God might be the supreme force on Earth. But He still carries love and respect for His children, so it’s only fair that He feels hurt when they stray.
The name Jehoahaz appears in the Bible a few times. There are three distinct kings mentioned in the Holy Book who are carrying this name. One of these kings was the eleventh king of Israel and the son of Jehu, the tenth corrupt and evil king of the land.
The other two kings were ruling over Judah. Judah was an important land during the Iron Age. Also remembered throughout the Bible as “the House of David.” Although the name means “the god who supports” or “whom Yahweh (the national god of ancient Israel and Judah) holds.” All of these kings were a failure for Christianity, for they turned their backs on God and defied Him.
How Did Jehoahaz Become King?
Even though it is still hard to believe that people like Jehoahaz in the Bible (all three of them) could ever be selected to rule anything, nobody can run from history and the truth. Some people think God Himself selected these people and tried to make them good rulers, only for them to prove Him wrong.
Therefore, becoming lessons for Christians everywhere. The first king that we are going to talk about is the song of Jehoram, the King of Judah from 841 BC. The people made him king after all of his brothers were killed. The second king, the son of Jehu, was made king after his father died (814—798 BC). Finally, the third man, the son of Josiah, became king of Judah in 609 BC after his father’s death.
Although the name, Jehoahaz, suggests “God never leaves people,” all three of these kings left God, trying to make it on their own. One of the kings, the son of Josiah, is especially bad in comparison to his father. Josiah is known, through the Holy Book, as an exceptional king.
The good king found the Book of the Law, renewed the covenant, tore down the high places where people would worship false gods, killed the priests of these fake gods, and reinstituted the Passover. Josiah was a devout follower of God “with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses” (2 Kings 23:25). However, his son Jehoahaz was nothing like his father.
Did Jehoahaz in the Bible Have a Lengthy Reign?
Jehoahaz of Judah, son of Jehoram that reigned in 841 BC was also called Ahaziah. He was made king since all of his brothers were killed. “And they came up against Judah and invaded it and carried away all the possessions they found that belonged to the king’s house, and also his sons and his wives so that no son was left to him except his youngest son” (2 Chronicles 21:17; 22:1).
This king was the grandson of Ahab and Jezebel, the terrifying couple known for their atrocious crimes. Their grandson sadly followed their ways and strayed from God, further drowning the land in sin. He reigned for only one year until his ultimate death.
The son of Jehu, king of Israel (814—798 BC), was the son of the evil ruler Jehu. Just like his father, this king was not a follower of God. He reigned for 17 years, but for all of these years, “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD by following the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to sin” (2 Kings 13:2).
The king of Judah with the same name, the son of Josiah, was 23 of age when he was crowned. However, he was only king for three months in 609 BC. Three months in which he did nothing good. A pharaoh by the name of Necho, the same one who killed Josiah, came to capture the king.
He dethroned him, captured him, and sent him to Egypt. The punishment was for him never to return to his homeland. The pharaoh made his brother, Eliakim, the new king and changed his name to Jehoiakim. (2 Kings 23:33-34). King Jehoahaz of Judah died in exile in Egypt.
What Is the Lesson Behind these Three Wicked Kings?
If it is not your first time researching verses in the Bible, it is probably not a shock to you that bad things do happen in the Holy Book. There is a multitude of stories mentioned there that are heartbreaking for any Christian. Still, the truth is they all teach us a valuable lesson about God. And also His relationships with His children, even if the Children sin.
The separate stories of the three wicked kings who bare the same name are similar. However, they happened at different times. They show us that history tends to repeat itself and that people always have a choice to choose a different route.
