In chapters 8 to 10, Elisha played the role of king-maker for Israel and Aram, one of Israel’s enemies. The prediction by Elijah in 1 Kings 21 was also fulfilled in these chapters; Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, and all of Ahab’s sons were killed. We read today of Athaliah. She is the widow of an earlier king of Judah and the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Imagine being ruled by someone so evil she is willing to kill her own grandsons to seize the throne. There is an underlying theme here as well. Had Athaliah been successful in killing all her grandsons, David would not have had a descendant on the throne and God’s promise to him would have been broken. Evil could not break God’s promise!
We may become discouraged by the darkness around us at times, but God’s promises will always be kept. You may not see the path from darkness to deliverance, or you may be an Aunt Jehosheba who God uses to keep his promises, but either way, God will always do what he says he will do!