Day 169: Joash Is Crowned

1 Kings 22:1-28 Judah and Israel formed an alliance to drive Syria out of Transjordan, and Ahab’s pagan prophets predicted victory. Micaiah, a legitimate prophet of God, predicted that Ahab himself would be killed in the battle; for this prophecy, Ahab had him imprisoned.


Ch 22:29-53 Ahab, despite disguising himself, was killed in battle as foretold. His son Ahaziah took the throne and, during his brief reign, continued the practice of idolatry among the kings of the Northern Kingdom. Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat was personally faithful to the Lord, expelled the cult prostitutes, but allowed others in Judah to continue idolatrous ways. 


2 Chronicles 2:1-21 Jehoiada and the Levite priests secretly conspired to anoint the young Joash as the rightful King of Judah. Athaliah was put to death as she happened upon the ceremony in the Temple. Joash’s survival and enthronement continued the Davidic legacy.


Song of Solomon 8:5-7 As in the life of the prophet Hosea and elsewhere in the Old Testament, the image of marriage is an analogy for God’s covenant with Israel; at the same time these references to marital love emphasize the permanent fidelity that must characterize marriage. Christian tradition views the Song of Solomon in this light as expressing God’s love for his people, who are strong as death.


Strong as death: This analogy points to the strength of charity and includes the notion that sin and evil will be conquered. (CCC 1040, 1611, 1621-1623)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


The following is to describe what happens to the NORTHERN KINGDOM in the rest of The Books of the Kings aka 1 and 2 Kings

(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)


Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father, we know that it’s true. For stern as death is love. Love is as strong as death. Devotion is relentless as the netherworld. And so, we recognize that not only is love as strong as death, but love led you, God, to death for us for our sake in pursuit of us so that you could draw us near to your heart, so that you could make us your children, so that you could love us in the way that you desire to love us. Love is as strong as death. And so we pray. Set me as a seal. Set me as a seal upon your heart. Set me as a seal upon your arm. Help us live every day as yours, as your beloved. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Dustin's Insights

Sg. 8:


My Study Color Code

Suffering, Martyrdom Places The Church, Sacraments, Divinity Horticultural Imagery People Messianic Kingship Sin, Death, Decay