Sermon:
A. INTRODUCTION: II KINGS 11:1-21

1. Two great sins.

a. Murder. “The king’s sons were slain” (11:2).

b. Cut off the line of Christ. “Destroyed all the seed royal” (11:1).

2. Two great acts.

a. Kidnapped. “Took Joash . . . and stole him from among the king’s sons” (11:2).

b. Concealed. “Hid him . . . in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain” (11:2).

3. Two adults of opposite influence.

a. “Athaliah did reign over the land” (11:3). “Athaliah . . . arose and destroyed” (11:1).

b. “Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king” (11:6).

B. HOW WAS JOASH PREPARED?

1. Raised in God’s house. “Hid in the house of God six years” (II Chron. 22:12).

2. Godly oversight. “Jehosheb . . . wife of Jehoiada the priest hid him from Athaliah” (II Chron. 22:11). “Jehoiada strengthened himself” (II Chron. 23:1).

3. Brought godly men to help him. “Went about Judah and gathered the Levites . . . and came to Jerusalem” (II Chron. 23:2).

4. Had a plan. “All the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God” (II Sam. 23:3).

5. Followed the political orientation.

a. Right place. “The king stood at his pillar at the entering in” (II Chron. 23:13).

b. Right symbols of authority. “Put upon him the crown” (II Chron. 23:11).

c. Right announcement. “Sounded with trumpets” (II Chron. 23:13).

d. Right response. “And said, ‘God save the king’” (II Chron. 23:11).

e. Right show of approval. “The people . . . rejoiced . . . clapped” (11:12).

f. Right seat. “He sat on the throne of the king” (11:19).

6. Followed religious orientation.

a. Symbol of God’s presence. “Anointed him” (II Chron. 23:11).

b. In the house of God. “Along by the altar and the temple” (II Chron. 23:10).

c. Gave him a copy of the scriptures. “Gave him the testimony” (11:12). “When he sitteth upon the throne . . . he should write a copy of this law . . . it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life” (Deut. 17:18-19).

d. Sing the Psalms. “The singers with instruments of music” (II Chron. 23:13).

C. TEN RULES TO FIGHT A SPIRITUAL ENEMY

1. Don’t attack your enemy when you are weak. “Hid” (11:2). We must protect children and not throw them to the wolves.

2. A hothouse environment is necessary when weak/growing. “Hid in the house of God” (11:3).

3. Strengthen yourself before battle. “Jehoiada strengthened himself” (II Chron. 23:1).

4. Get help. “Fetched the rulers . . . with the captains . . . brought them into the house of God” (11:4).

5. Plan your battle. “He (Jehoiada) commended them, ‘This is the thing that ye should do’” (11:5).

6. Keep your strategy secret. “Jehoiada . . . made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them” (11:4).

7. Use surprise to your advantage. “He (Jehoiada) brought forth the king’s son” (11:2). “Athaliah . . . cried, ‘Treason, Treason’” (11:14).

8. Eliminate your enemy. “Followed her outside the temple and killed her with the sword” (11:15, ELT).

9. Take possession. They inducted Joash into office.

10. Give glory to God. “God save the king” (11:12).

D. WHAT TO DO AFTER THE BIG DAY

1. Spiritual promise to God, i.e., a vow. Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord’s people” (11:17).

2. Get rid of your idols. “Went into the house of Baal, and