The 3 J's

The Three J’s

First reading

2 Chron 22:11-12

But Jehosheba, [fn] the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, [fn] the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him.

He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

Second reading

2 Chron 23:1-7

v1 In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri.

V2 They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites and the heads of Israelite families from all the towns. When they came to Jerusalem,

V3 the whole assembly made a covenant with the king at the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, "The king’s son shall reign, as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David.

V4 Now this is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who are going on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch at the doors,

V5 a third of you at the royal palace and a third at the Foundation Gate, and all the other men are to be in the courtyards of the temple of the Lord.

V6 No one is to enter the temple of the Lord except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the other men are to guard what the Lord has assigned to them.

V7 The Levites are to station themselves around the king, each man with his weapons in his hand. Anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."

Third reading

2 Chron 23:7-17

V11 Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, "Long live the king!"

V12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the Lord.

V13 She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!"

V14 Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: "Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not put her to death at the temple of the Lord."

V15 So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death.

V16 Jehoiada then made a covenant that he and the people and the king would be the Lord’s people.

V17 All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Fourth reading

2 Chron 24:1-4

v1 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.

V2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.

V3 Jehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.

V4 Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.

Fifth reading

2 Chron 24:15-25

V15 Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty.

V16 He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple.

V17 After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

V18 They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.

V19 Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.

V20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: ’Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.