“Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly. 2 Chronicles 22: 2-3 (NKJV)
Ahaziah only reigned one year in Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that he followed Ahab’s example because his mother advised him to do wickedly. Who was Athaliah? She was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. She was raised by two of the most wicked leaders of Israel. Is it any wonder that she advised her son to do wickedly when he became king?
God tells us in the Bible that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate him. Omri is listed as one of Israel’s wicked kings (generation 1). His son, Ahab, is also listed as one of Israel’s wicked kings (generation 2). Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter was Athaliah and her son, Ahaziah was advised to do wickedly when he became king (generation 3). The Bible is true!
However, we are not locked into the sins of our ancestors. God’s grace is extended to all. We must acknowledge our sinful tendencies and actual acts of sin we have done and turn from them (with God’s help!). God grants us grace and forgiveness when we are truly repentant and desire to forsake our sinful ways. No one is without hope.
Listen to “There is Hope” Words and Music by Niki Shepherd & Paris Shepherd
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 2/27/25, 6:00 am