2 Kings 11:4-8 –Every success requires a plan

Joash was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba from his own grandmother who went on a rampage slaughtering all the royal offsprings in her attempt to seize the throne. Having stolen him from the rest of his siblings, he was kept in Jehosheba’s bedroom. Then from infancy, Joash was hidden in the temple and cared for and protected by Jehosehba's husband, the high priest, Jehoiada. Concerned about restoring the throne to the house of David, Jehoiada planned a coup. He first made a cautious plan to unveil the king to the temple guards. Second Kings 11:4-8 gave a brief detail of the plan he undertook.

When Joash was seven years old, the godly Jehoiada planned a coup to secure the throne for him. He brought the captains of the Carites and the temple guards into the temple. The Carites were mercenary guards. To ensure the safety of the young king-to-be, Jehoiada made a covenant with them and have them take an oath to protect the young boy before he showed them the child. Verses 5-8 then went on to describe his plan to ensure the safety of the child.     

Jehoiada’s actions leave us with a lesson on the importance of having s plan if we expect to experience success in any project. Firstly, we need the right man for the job. Jehoiada was a man who showed himself to be capable and trustworthy and resolute. This is a vital ingredient in any successful plan. Are we such a person? Jehoiada only wanted the rightful heir to have the throne. His whole intention was to restore the house of David to the throne. Only a person of integrity could be trusted for such a job. Secondly, ensuring the success of a plan requires that it be executed at the right time. Estimating that the time was right, Jehoiada acted when the boy was seven years old. It was to be carried out on the Sabbath. Timing is critical to any plan. The right action at the right time would be needed for any plan to succeed. Right actions carried out at the wrong time could backfire. Then, there is a need for the right supporting people. Jehoiada make sure that he had the right people properly instructed and orientated, leaving no loophole for failure. It is said that if we fail to plan, we are planning to fail. Be sure to have a plan for our own success in life. Then be vigilant to execute it!