2 Chronicles 22

And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

When the people of Jerusalem saw their king fall, they turned to his youngest son, Ahaziah, for leadership. His older brothers had been killed by the Arabian invaders. So, Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, became the new king of Judah, carrying the weight of his father's crown and the hope of his people.

Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

Ahaziah was just 42 when he ascended the throne, ruling Jerusalem for a brief year. His mother, Athaliah, was the offspring of Omri.

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

He followed the path of Ahab's house, for his mother counseled him to do evil.

Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.

He acted wickedly, just like Ahab's family, in God's eyes. His advisors, following his father's death, led him down a path of ruin.

He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.

He followed their advice, joining Jehoram, Ahab's son and Israel's king, in battle against Hazael, Syria's king, at Ramothgilead. But tragically, the Syrians defeated Joram.

And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

He went back to Jezreel, seeking healing from the injuries he got in a battle with Hazael, the Syrian king, at Ramah. Meanwhile, Azariah, son of King Jehoram of Judah, visited Jehoram, son of Ahab, who was ill in Jezreel.

And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

Ahaziah's downfall was God's plan, brought about when he came to Joram. Once there, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom God had anointed to end Ahab's lineage.

And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.

When Jehu was delivering justice to Ahab's family, he discovered the royal sons of Judah and the nephews of Ahaziah who served him. Overwhelmed with righteous anger, Jehu ended their lives.

And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

In a desperate search, they found Ahaziah, hidden away in Samaria. They seized him and delivered him to Jehu. After his life was taken, they laid him to rest, acknowledging his lineage to Jehoshaphat, a man who pursued God wholeheartedly. Yet, despite this, Ahaziah's house lost its grip on the kingdom.

But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, realized her son was no more, she was consumed by rage and grief. In her fury, she wiped out the entire royal lineage of Judah.

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

In a daring act of courage, Jehoshabeath, the royal daughter, rescued young Joash from the tragic fate of his slain brothers. She hid him and his nurse in a secret room, protecting him from the murderous wrath of Athaliah. As the sister of Ahaziah and wife of priest Jehoiada, Jehoshabeath risked everything to ensure Joash's survival.

And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

He spent six years in God's house, hidden away, while Athaliah ruled the land with an iron fist.