But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to visit Joram. For when he came there, he went out with Jehoram to meet Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab. – 2 Chrn 22:7 (ESV)
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were about to be put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest, because she was a sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah, so that she did not put him to death. And he remained with them six years, hidden in the house of God, while Athaliah reigned over the land. – 2 Chrn 22:11-12 (ESV)
Two kings, Ahaziah and Joash, are both affected by those around them. For Ahaziah, his downfall was his association with the house of Ahab (2 Chrn 22:7). But for Joash, his training came under the faithful guidance of Jehoiada the priest. There is even a follow up verse showing Jehoiada’s influence: 2 Chrn 24:2 (ESV) – Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. Who influences us? Who are we being mentored by? What we turn our ears toward may strengthen our faithfulness to the Lord or it may be our undoing.
