Vers. 4-19.-Jehoiada an example of a faithful and wise high priest under trying circumstances. 'l.'he history of the Jewish kingdom from the time of Saul to the Captivity furnishes but few examples of remarkable high priests. Zadok and Abiathar were personages of some importance in the time of David, and left behind them a Mme for zeal and fidelity ; but otherwise no man of eminence had arisen among the high priests until Jehoiada. This may be partly accounted for by the fact that the high priesthood was hereditary, not elective; but still more by the nature of the office, which was not such as to bring its holder into historical prominence in quiet times. Jehoiada's opportunity for distinction arose from the difficult circumstances in which he was placed. Holding the office of high priest when the throne was usurped and religion outraged by Athaliah, it devolved on him to rescue Church and state alike from peril, and to counter-work the wicked schemes of an enemy alike bold and unscrupulous. He could not prevent the destruction of the royal stock by Athaliah, which was a crime so unnatural that none could have anticipated it; but he did what he could. At the peril of his life he saved one prince, concealed him fruru prying eyes, protected him, bred him up secretly, and did not allow his existence to be even suspected. In faith and patience he waited till the infant had become a b0y of an nge to interest people, and till Athaliah had lost the affections of all classes of her subjects. He then organized a counter-revolution to the one effected by Atbaliah, with the greatest prudence, caution, and sagacity. It would have been easy to gather partisans and raise a revolt; but Jehoiada shrank from the horrors of a civil war, and from the risk of losing his precious charge by a stray shot or a chance sword-thrust. He therefore set to work to detach Athaliah's supporters from her cause by the peaceful mdhod of persuasion. First he gained over the captains of her guard, then through them the rank-and-file, finally the " chief fathers" of Israel iu the various cities (2 Chron. xxiii. 2). Doubting the sufficiency of this force, he further summoned to his aid a large body of Levites. And· all this he did so secretly as to create no alarm, to arouse no suspicion. When the time for action came, he made his arrangements ll'ith the most consummate skill. He could not, indeed, have foreseen that .Ath.,liah would so play into his hand, as she did, by coming within the temple walls with few &r no attendants; but be had taken his measures in such a way as to make failure IDlpossible, and to reduce to a minimum the probability of tumult or armed rcsistnnce. I~ was an indication of extraordinary prudence and political wisdom to be able to effect , complete revolution. both in Church and state, at the cost of two lives, both of them ,J,·arly forfeit by the Law of Moses. Up to this time, Jehoiada's wisdom had been chiefly .1uuspicuous. Henceforth it is his fidelity that draws our admiration. Aimiug at nothing for himself, his first thought is for the honoul' of God, and thereforo he renews 234 THE SECOND BOOK OF 'l'HE KINGS. [on. XL 1-21.
the Mosaic covenant; his next for the welfare of bis country, and therefore be makes king and people mutually swea.r t.o ea.eh other; his third for the honour of true religion, and therefore he destroys the temple of Baa.I, end inaugurates afresh the Jehovistio service. As Ba.hr says, " If ever a man stood pure and blameless in the midst of suoh n bold, difficult, and far-reaching enterprise, then Jehoiada, the ideal Israelitish priest, did so here." The after-life of Jehoiada is less remarkable (eh, xii. 2-16 i 2 Chron. xxiv. 2-14), but not unworthy of his earlier reputation.