Seeking Fame and Fortune in the Book of Kings
I’m currently doing an in-depth study of the books of 1 and 2 Kings and, while I love diving into the history of the Old Testament because of the deeper understanding it gives me of the New Testament, I have to admit: some of the OT stories can drag a bit. Especially for a writer who has been harped on about pacing and action and word choice for her entire editorial career, the stylistic and cultural differences apparent in ancient Scriptures can sometimes make my eyes cross.
For example, once you get deep enough into 2 Kings, you will start to notice a pattern. Alternating between the kingdoms of Israel in the North and Judah in the south, paragraph after paragraph goes one of two ways: either KING XYZ did “right” in the eyes of the Lord or KING XYZ did “evil” in the eyes of the Lord. That’s usually accompanied by the length of his rule, as well as a summary of it, highlighting a few notable accomplishments (or sins). The pattern becomes so distinctive and predictable, in fact, that one particular passage stands out precisely because its absence.
Israel had, for a long while, been ruled over by kings who–remember the pattern above!–had continued to do “evil” in the Lord’s sight. But, around 874 B.C., a new king came into power, and he was in a class all by himself. In 1 Kings 16, we find out:
“But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight more than all who were before him. Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not enough, he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, then proceeded to serve Baal and bow in worship to him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Ashram pole. Ahab did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” (v. 30-33)
Because of this, God pronounced judgment on the house of Ahab, vowing to “eradicate” his descendants and “wipe out” his household. (1 Kings 21: 21-24). So, it was no surprise when Ahab’s son, Ahaziah (who “angered the Lord God of Israel just as his father had done” according to 1 Kings 22:33) died and Ahab’s seventy other sons were massacred. Although horrendous, it was done as an act of judgement, attempting to purge the great evil that had infected Israel’s throne.
End of story, right?
Nope. Because here comes the plot twist: “When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate the royal heirs…Athaliah ruled over the land.” (2 Kings 11:1-3)
Where modern readers look back and see judgement (and where those living during it may have seen devastation), Athaliah saw only opportunity.
In the void left by the slaughter of Ahab’s sons, Athaliah took it upon herself to wipe out anyone else who may have tried to lay claim to the throne….and then took the kingship (or queenship) for herself.
Knowing what we know of history, this doesn’t seem too shocking, does it? Hundreds if not thousands of thrones have been usurped over the centuries. But it’s interesting to catch God’s perspective over this particular power grab at the end of chapter 11:
“So they arrested her, and she went through the horse entrance to the king’s palace, where she was put to death…all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death by the sword in the king’s palace. Joash was seven years old when he became king.” (v. 16-31)
Yes, Athaliah was killed, but so were many other kings of Israel. What’s important to note here is not her death per se, but the way that it is recorded. There is no summary of her reign, as with other kings. There is no listing of her deeds or sins, no mention of her resting with her “fathers,” as it was with other rulers. The pattern long established in the records of other leaders is noticeably missing.
Why?
Can I venture to conjecture here? I think it’s because the writer of 2 Kings didn’t view any of Athaliah’s accomplishments worth recording because she was not viewed as a legitimate ruler. She was someone who took advantage of a volatile situation to put herself into a position of power.
One who sought to puff herself up and make sure her name was remembered….received the exact opposite.
And oh, what a convicting truth this ancient usurper can bring to a 21st century heart.
Culture today is obsessed with recognition. People today make entire careers of being “influencers,” attempting to be famous for being famous. In the all the noise and clamor, the end-all-be-all goal is to have your name and face recognized above all others. We seize any opportunity to elevate ourselves, believing the lie that standing out is what will give us worth and make us be remembered.
To matter, we must be seen. We must be heard. We must pursue SELF at all costs.
Now, to be clear, I’m not saying that ambition is necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a great thing, when harnessed in the right way for the right purpose with the right attitude. But since the beginning of time, the temptation to use ambition for pride has been a powerful one. And, when I say “the beginning,” I mean the beginning.
Looking back all the way to Genesis, I can almost see ambition in Eve’s eyes as she stared at the fruit offered by the serpent. I mean, after all, he had promised if she ate it she would “be like God” (Genesis 3:5).
Who wouldn’t want that kind of power?
Fast forward a few hundred years to the story of the Tower of Babel, created so that “we may make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4).
While Athaliah’s story may be new to you, I’m guessing these two are not. And, much like hers, I don’t think we need a reminder of how they ended.
These early examples may be different in scope than what we experience today, but at their roots lay the same desire: a determination to raise our names, statuses, and/positions.
A hunger not for God’s glory…but for our own.
Contrast these stories to the calling of Abram (Abraham) found in Genesis 12. God told Abram that He would make Abram’s name great; that He would make him into a great nation; that He would assure Abram would be blessed and be a blessing (v. 2-3).
Abram didn’t have to scheme or plan, usurp or swindle. He didn’t have to “hustle” in order to be seen or heard.
Because he already was.
And all he had to do was follow Him.
Friends, the same is true of you and I. When we seek to raise our name above His, we are directly disobeying the commandment to have no other gods before Him. (Exodus 20:3) This includes the “gods” of self worship and self elevation. Healthy ambition is commendable, but if you find yourself exhausted from striving or compromising morals–engaging in behaviors or stepping into positions to which you know God has not called you– in order to puff yourself up, you may have crossed the line from initiative to idolatry.
The key to finding true peace is letting God work through you. Let His name be glorified by stepping in obedience to His calling–and seeing what wonders lay in store. Let the hallmark of your life be remarkable faith rather than remarkable self-interest. By doing so, you and I may never see our names in lights–but we will one day see them in the Book of Life. Because, friends, I know it may feel like the opposite, but can I just tell you that it does not matter how many Instagram likes you get, how many Facebook followers you acquire, or how high you go up that societal ring.
None of those things will ever assure you have clout. Never assure you are recognized, that you are seen or heard in the ways all of us so deeply desire.
But the blood on that old rugged cross two thousand years ago can..and did.
