2 Kings 8:25-29 – Let's raise god-fearing children

Jehoram, the king of Judah was married to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Ahaziah, their son became king in the 12^th year of Joram's reign in Israel. Bear in mind, that the mention of the reign of the king of Israel was to provide a timeline. Now in verses of 2 Kings 8:25-29, we get a brief description of some key information about Ahaziah’s life.    

Firstly, verse 26 said that he became king at the age of 22 years and ruled only for one year in Jerusalem. This verse also points us to some infamous members of his ancestry. It tells us that his mother was the wicked Athaliah, and his maternal great grandfather was Omri, whom we know was the father of Ahab. More facts about Omri can be found in 1 Kings 16.

Secondly, verse 27 said that he walked in the footsteps of King Ahab, his maternal grandfather. To say that he walked in the way of Ahab meant he was behaving like Ahab who had incurred the displeasure of the LORD. We can tell from this fact that the major influence of his life came from Athaliah, which Second Chronicles 22:3 affirmed was his counselor.

Thirdly, verse 28 tells us that he went and joined his uncle, King Joram of Israel, in his conflict with Hazael king of Aram.  In that battle at Ramoth-gilead, Joram was wounded and had to return to Jezreel to recuperate from his wounds inflicted by the Arameans. While Jerom was recuperating, Ahaziah was said to have visited him. This would set up the intrigues that would take place in 2 Kings 9.   

Notice that Ahaziah’s major influence came from his mother. This tells us how potent the influence of a mother can have on her child or children. Mothers, this is a call for you to be god-fearing mothers to influence your children to live a God-honoring life. This, however, does not exempt the father from doing his part. Just imagine what a pair of godly father and mother can do if they, in partnership, each play their respective roles well. The call of the day is to raise up a great new generation who will love the Lord and obey Him. This can happen effectively when parents, both fathers, and mothers, are actively playing their parts in raising their children. Parents have the greatest influence upon their children!