A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

2 Kings CHAP. XI.

THIS Chapter returns to the History of the Kingdom of Judah, ending at the Death of Ahaziah slain by Jehu, Chap. 9.27. 2 Chron. 22.9. now 'tis reassumed here, ver. 1, 2, 3. and 2 Chron. 22.10, 11, 12. which relates first the Ʋsurpation of Athaliah, and then the Succession of Joash. Remarks first upon Athaliah are,

First, This Athaliah was Ahab's Daughter, married to Jehoram the Son of Jehosaphat, by whom she had Ahaziah, who going with Joram to Ramoth, Chap. 8.28. left his Mo∣ther to govern the Kingdom during his absence. This gave her the greater Advantage to usurp all after her Son's Death, advancing her self to the Throne, by destroying all the Blood Royal descending from David, that she might have no Competitors to the Crown.

Remark the Second, Idolatry was so deeply Rooted and Riveted in that degenerate Family of none-such Ahab, that it could not be routed out, but by rooting that whole corrupted stock, many of that Royal offspring had been slain by Jehoram, 2 Chron. 21.4. others were carried away Captive by the Arabians, &c. 2 Chron. 21.16, 17. others were slain by Jehu, 2 Kings 10.14. the Remainder this wicked Woman Athaliah destroys here, so as she thought there was none left to lay claim to the Crown.

Remark the Third▪ This Athaliah the Daughter of Ahab, was so wickedly inhumane, that she destroyed not only that Seed-Royal, which were born of other Venters, but also even those that sprung out of her own Womb, doubtless some of these she slew were so descended, thus her Idolatry and Ambition had quite cancell'd out all natural Affection. N.B. Nor was this all, but the Devil did design by her bloody Hands to Root out the Race whereof Christ was to be born: Josephus saith, that out of Envy (that Diabolical Vice, as Austin calls it) she sought to destroy the House of David as Jehu had destroyed her Father Ahab's House: This she did (saith Peter Martyr) out of her Zeal to uphold Baalism in Judah, which she saw (to her grief) rooted out by Johu in Israel▪ And he excellently addeth, N.B. That Jehosaphat's Posterity was destroyed also hereby, to teach us that God will not spare the Seed of his Servants who fall to Idolatry, and to testifie his utter abhorrency, that any of them should contract Affinity with Idolater••, &c.

Remark the Fourth, God over-shoots the Devil in his own Bow, though the Devil design'd to destroy all the Seed-Royal of David by this wicked Woman, and she endeavour'd it to her utmost. But God remembred his Promise to David, that he would leave him a Lamp in Jerusalem, 1 Kings 15.4. to this Promise Joash owed both his Life and his Kingdom, by vertue of which he was miraculously preserved. N.B. Grotius observes, that the House of David was preserved in this one Child, as once Gideon's House was in one only Son, Judg. 9.5. and P. Martyr is of opinion, that the Nurse laid this young Child among the Carcases of those that were slain, as if he had been slain also, and she told it to that compassionate Princess Jehosheba, who with the Advice and Assistance of her Husband good Jehoiada, convey'd the Child away from the King's Children into a Privy Chamber of the Temple, and there hid him and his Nurse to attend him: She did herein, as God himself aftewards did with Jeremy and Baruch, Jer. 36.26. and with the Holy Child Jesus, Matth. 2.14. and as Moses had been hid from slaughter, Exod. 2.2, &c.

Remark the Fifth, This Jehosheba (the Aunt and Hider of Joash) was a King's Daugh∣ter, yet a good Priest's Wife: The Holy Priests were then in such high and honourable Veneration, that even Kings Marry'd their Daughters to them: She was Daughter to King Jehoram, but not by that wicked Woman Athaliah (say Piscator and Peter Martyr) but by another Wife, because so Holy a Priest as Jehoiada was, would not have dared to marry her of an Idolatrous Family: And had Joash been Athaliah's own Child, she might better have taken him to her self, and under that colourable pretence have ex∣ercis'd her Tyranny: But more probably she fear'd, that the Crown would be carry'd from her to another Family.

Remark the Sixth, Athaliah Revels it out in her Tyranny for seven Years, supposing all safe, she promotes the Idolatry of the House of Omri: She either believed that Joash was slain with the rest of his Brethren, or if she suspected that this Child was saved, yet she might think an Infant could do her no great harm, for she fear'd not to confirm her usurped Kingdom in a few Years to her self so, as not to be shaken by a weak Child, or she held it no Policy to hold up such a surmize, and make any strict search and en∣quiry after it, lest the People should listen and learn, that there was yet one of Da∣vid's Family left alive, and they, being weary of her Tyrannical Government, might hearken and hanker after him, through desire of a change, &c.

The Second Part is, Jehoiada's prudent Contrivance to bring Joash to the Crown, and to depose her from being Queen, who had no Title to it.

Remark the First, Jehoiada's Conspiracy against usurping Athaliah, ver. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, &c. and 2 Chron. 23. throughout, and setting up of Joash. The Antecedents whereof were the Circumstances of the Plot.

Mark 1. The Time when, namely, when the young Prince was now seven Years old, ver. 4, 21. so long had Jehoiada waited for a fair opportunity to settle the right Heir upon the Throne: No doubt, but during the six Years of this Idolatrous and Tyranni∣cal usurping Queen, he communicated his Counsels to some faithful Friends, but could not come at a sufficient Preparation to protect this young King against the Power of Athaliah: Now fetches he Rulers, five only at the first into Covenant with him, ver. 4. and 2 Chron. 23.1, 2. and Priests and Levites with some pick'd out of the other Tribes of Israel, whose Conscience and Interest oblig'd them.

Mark 2. The Lawfulness of this Conspiracy appeareth, saith Peter Martyr, because 1. Jehoiada was no Private Person, but the High-Priest, to whom belonged not only the Judgment of Sacred, but also of Civil things: Especially having the Concurrence of Princes, Priests and Levites. And 2. He was the Husband of the right Heir's Aunt, so had by the Right of Affinity, the Guardianship of this Fatherless and Motherless Child, &c. 3. Athaliah had not so much right to the Crown, as Jehoiada's Wife a Princess, but was a mere Ʋsurper, and one of that wicked House of Ahab, which God had par∣ticularly devoted to Destruction. 4. 'Twas the proper Place of the High Priest to see God's Promise to David performed, and the Law in Deut. 17.15. observed, which ad∣mits of Brethren to Rule, but no Sisters much less Strangers. 5. Grotius adds, she was an incurable Idolatress, so deposing was her Due. 6. He did this by Divine Direction of the unerring Spirit of God.

Mark 3. This Prudent and Pious High Priest Jehoiada (of the House of Zadok, say the Annotations) made a Covenant with all he found faithful among the Princes, Lords, Priests and Levites, to depose Athaliah, to set up Joash, to put down Idolatry and to establish the true Religion. N.B. Thus good Governours, resolving to reform Religi∣on, used to begin with a Covenant, 2 Chron. 15.12. and 29.10. and 34.31. Ezra 10.3. Neh. 9.38. and thus Jehoiada did, as He was the young King's Protector at this Time [taking an Oath of them here] to Secrecy from Athaliah, and Fidelity to Joash, then he shewed them the King, to quicken them up the more to Act vigorously in accomplish∣ing the High Priest's honest and honourable Designs.

The next Circumstance is, the Concomitants of this godly Conspiracy.

Mark 1. The Prudent and Politick Management of this Religious Association, ver. 10, 11, 12. and 2 Chron. 23.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. where I find some learned Men say, that Je∣hoiada chused the Passover-feast-time, wherein to transact this important matter, lest Athaliah should suspect a Conspiracy from any unusual Concourse of Princes, Priests, and People, which yet was usual and customary at the Pascal Feast, &c.

Mark 2. As it was wisely done as to Time, so as to Place likewise, to wit, in the Temple, upon account both of its Capacity, able to contain vast Multitudes without suspicion at a solemn Feast, and likewise, because it was contiguous to the King, whom Jehoiada shew'd to his Company, saying (as Osiander saith) God never Commanded that a Woman shall Reign, much less a strange Woman, that is not of the stock of Judah: There∣fore did he say [The King's Son shall Reign] 2 Chron. 23.3. and lastly, because David's Armory was there, ver. 10. 2 Kings 11. wherewith to Arm them.

Mark 3. All came into the Temple unarmed to avoid Suspicion: Now Princes, Priests and Levites being all upon this extraordinary occasion armed, all Watches and Guards are set and settled in all their Posts and proper Places, the King is brought forth under the Name of only [the King's Son] ver. 12. here, but when Jehoiada had put the Roy∣al Crown upon his Head, and the Book of Deuteronomy into his Hand, Deut. 17.18. and likewise anointed him with the Holy Oil, then was the loud Acclamation of all that were present [God save the King] and they clap'd their Hands for Joy, a visible Expressi∣on thereof, Psal. 47.1. Ezek. 25.6.

The Third Part is, the Consequents of all this Holy Confederacy.

Mark 1. Athaliah's Destruction, occasioned by the Rumor of a new King soon hand∣ed to Athaliah's Palace, being very nigh to the Temple. N.B. Which verified that old Adage [the nearer the Church, the farther from God] this held true in Athaliah and her Idolatrous Accomplices, she upon the noise and news hereof came running into the Tem∣ple, ver. 13. and violently broke through the Ranges, ver. 8. to know the cause of this Tumult, this was done by an over-ruling Providence of God to bring her (that knew

nothing all this time of this so secret Contrivance) within their Power, when she saw the King, ver. 14. though she was the grand Traitor, yet she cries out [Treason, Treason]. Jehoiada bids carry her forth, and not kill her in the Temple] she ran away the Horse-way, and there was slain probably among the Horses, ver. 16, 17. that her Death might be like her Mother Jezebel's, Chap. 9.33. as she was not unlike her in her Sin: Josephus saith, she was carry'd down to the Town-Ditch, and there dispatch'd, however, it was among the Stables of the King's House, and none did defend her, so weary were all Men of her Tyrannical Government, &c.

Mark 2. The double Covenant of Jehoiada, the first was sacred betwixt God and the King, that the King might be oblig'd to serve the Lord, to maintain his Worship, and to root out Idolatry; and the second was a Civil Covenant betwixt the King and his Sub∣jects, ver. 17. and 2 Chron. 23.16. N.B. In the first of those Jehoiada did not bind the King to himself, as the Pope doth Christian Princes, but to the Lord; and in the se∣cond he binds the People to Allegiance and Subjection, that they should be his Liege-People, as he should be their Liege-Lord, that he should govern them, and they obey him in the Lord.

Mark 3. Baal's beastly worship (which Athaliah had established in Judah, when Jehu had abolish'd it in Israel) is now pull'd down in its Temple, Altars, &c. and Mat∣than (Baal's High-Priest) is slain before the Altar of Baal, ver. 18, whither he ran for refuge, as Joab did to the House of the Lord, 1 Kings 2.28. or rather he was brought thither as the most fit Sacrifice to Baal.

Mark 4. The fourth Consequent was, The restoring of the Primitive Order of the Priests and Levites in the Temple-worship, ver. 18. and 2 Chron. 23.18, 19. where Baal's Priests (call'd Athaliah's Sons, 2 Chron. 24.7. possibly her Bastards) had put all out of Order in the Service of God, now Jehoiada rests not, till he brings all to the rights, and reforms every thing found amiss both in Worship and Order, which Athaliah (say Junius and Piscator) had greatly corrupted.

Mark 5. The Consequence was Jehoiada's bringing forth the new King, after a six Years close Confinement, into a Possession of his Ancestors Throne and Kingdom, ver. 19. and 2 Chron. 23.20. Here God perform'd his Promise, 1 Kings 11.36. and 15.4. here anew he is set up on the Throne that Solomon built (saith Grotius) 1 Kings 10.18.

Mark 6. The Consequence; The universal Joy of the Land for this Happy Change from an Ʋsurping and Tyrannical Queen, to the Young King Joash under the Conduct of good Jehoiada, ver. 20. N.B. 'Tis worthily observed by a worthy Expositor, that as all the People of the Land did rejoice exceedingly, when that wicked Woman Athali∣ah was executed by the High-Priest Jehoiada, even so and much more than so, shall the whole Community of God's People do, when the Whore of Rome shall be executed by Christ the true Jehoiada, who shall throw her out of the Temple, and burn her with Fire, because she hath slain the Seed Royal, put down Kings at her Pleasure, usurped the Go∣vernment of the Church, set up Altars and Images to Baalim, and called such Traitors as have only endeavoured to seek and set the Crown upon Christ's Head, &c.

The last Remark, from ver. 21. and Chap. 12.1. and 2 Chron. 24.1. Joash began to Reign in the seventh Year of Jehu (who pieced out God's Providence with his own Policy, as before, never molesting Athaliah, &c.) and in the seventh Year of his own Age, for he was about one Year old, when sought for to the slaughter, and lay hid by Jehoshe∣bah six Years: Whatever his Mother Zibeah was, his Foster-Mother (his Aunt Jeho∣sheba) did all the Offices of a good Mother to him, but he ill requited her afterwards in her Son Zechariah, whom he ungratefully slew for the faithful discharge of his Duty, 2 Chron. 24.21.