Murder She Wrote Series

Murder She Wrote

(2 Chronicles 21:1-24:27)

1. I have long been a fan of murder mysteries. I enjoy shows like Perry Mason, Poirot, and my favorite is Ellery Queen.

2. Murder She Wrote is another one I enjoy.

3. It always amazed me how Jessica Fletcher, in the first show, was new widow, about 60 years old. She wrote novels, but never was involved in a murder. Then she was. And every week -- no matter where she went in the country -- another corpse appeared! A little hard to believe.

4. Or consider the small town of Cabot Cove. I don't know what the population was supposed to be, I would guess maybe 5,0000 at the most. Yet every third week or so, someone was murdered there. It had to be the murder capitol of the world, percentage wise.

5. Mystery stories often involve a detective of sorts who understands human nature, a shrewd person. Shrewdness can develop at a young age.

6. One woman writes, My kids are no strangers to their Dad leaving for work on an airplane. He’s usually away for several weeks, so, in the past after dropping him off, we would stop for a treat to dry the tears. On his most recent departure, we asked, like we always do, if they wanted to accompany us on the ride to the airport to drop him off. The 4 year old first replied, “No.” However, after a few minutes of contemplation, he looked at me and asked, “Wait, Mom! If I go and I cry, can we get donuts?” Who can say no to that? [source: www.coloradocountrylife.coop]

7. Even kids not how to work the system. A little drama goes a long way. But there is shrewd drama, and there is foolish drama.

Main Idea: We can choose the drama that comes from foolishness, selfishness, and sinfulness – even to the point of murder – or we can choose stability and meaningfulness that comes from wisdom, godliness, and concern for others.

I. Judah Went Through A Period of Political TURMOIL and Upheaval (2 Chronicles 21:1-24:27).

Most of the time, most of the leaders in this era chose the drama that comes from foolishness, selfishness, and sinfulness – even to the point of murder.

A. The reign of JEHORAM in Judah (21:1-20)

1. After Jehoshaphat died, his son Jehoram became king.

2. Jehoram, who reigned 8 years, was married to Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, and he made their paganism the religion of Judah.

3. He had his six brothers killed, and also some princes who might challenge him.

4. He lost control of Edom, thus Judah was weakened.

5. The Philistine and Arabs attacked him and carried away his riches, wives, and sons; one son escaped, Jehoahaz, also known as Ahaziah.

6. He died an excruciating death over two years, as God’s prophet predicted, but he did not turn to the Lord.

B. The reign of AHAZIAH in Judah (22:1-9)

1. He was only 22 and continued in the sins of his father; he reigned only one year.

2. Athaliah influenced her son (read 22:3).

3. He went to visit his cousin who was king of Israel, Ahab’s son King Joram.

4. With the Israel and Judah united by family and marriage, they probably envisioned a great future. But it was not to be!

5. Jehu – whom God had raised up to seize the throne in Israel – was busy executing the house of Ahab, including King Joram of Israel; so he killed Ahaziah as well, who also descended from Ahab through his mother.

C. The reign of Athaliah, the USURPER, in Judah

1. Athaliah was a control freak, desperate to be in power.

2. She was not a descendant of David, and she promoted the worship of Baal.

3. She had all the royal family killed and assumed the throne.

4. But one of the previous king’s daughters secretly rescued her brother, a baby.

5. “It is not likely that Jehosheba was the daughter of Athaliah; she was a sister, we find, to Ahaziah the son of Athaliah, but probably by a different mother.” (Clarke)

6. There are two women in this story: one who is out for power and nasty, and one who is kind and in the background; it was the second woman, Jehosheba, who ultimately wins the competition.

D. The heir, Joash, was hidden in the Temple and raised by the HIGH PRIEST Jehoiada (23:1-11).

1. Finally, when Joash is seven years old, Jehoiada gathers military leaders, many of whom hated Athaliah, we can assume.

2. They have to plan to declare him king, and the plan works.

3. As Athaliah hears the trumpets and shouts to welcome the new king, she knows she is toast.

4. This was a bad hair day for Athaliah.