10. How did Obadiah display extraordinary courage?
When Jezebel began hunting down God’s prophets to put them to death, Obadiah took 100 of them and hid them and was giving them food and water. It was at the risk of her own life that she did it. His courage showed he loved Jehovah and those who served Him more than he loved his own life.
13. When Jehoash was seven years old, how did Jehoiada again display loyalty?
When Jehoash was seven years old, Jehoiada formed a plan. If it succeeded, Jehoash would become king, David’s rightful heir. If the plan failed, however, Jehoiada would almost certainly lose his life. He displayed loyalty to Jehovah and to David by reinstalling the rightful king. He also displayed loyalty by promoting true worship in the kingdom.
15. What can we learn from the account about Jehoiada?
The account about Jehoiada can help all of us to develop fear of Jehovah. Elders can imitate Jehoiada by remaining spiritually alert and by loyally protecting God’s flock. (Acts 20:28)
Older ones can learn from Jehoiada that as long as they remain loyal to Jehovah and remain loyal, he will not forget them, and he will continue to help them.
Young ones can imitate Jehovah in the way he treated Jehoiada by treating loyal older ones with long record of faithful service with respect.
All of us can take a lesson from the chieftains and the Levites who supported Jehoiada. We should loyally support the elders by obeying them according to the advice given at Heb. 13:17.
17. How did things turn out for Jehoash?
Jehoash did not maintain a healthy fear of Jehovah, and things turned out badly for him. 1, A small Syrian army later defeated Jehoash’s “very large army” and “severely wounded” him. 2, Later, Jehoash was assassinated by his own servants for killing God’s prophet Zechariah.
Jehovah had stated at 1 Sam. 2:30 that “Those despising him will be treated with contempt.” and that’s exactly what happened to Jehoash. The contempt continues after his death. That wicked king was not even considered worthy of being buried “in the burial places of the kings.”
How can we avoid being like King Jehoash?
We avoid being like that wicked king by applying what we read at Jeremiah 17:7, 8. Our faith should not depend on that of others, such as influencial family members. We must be rooted in the service of Jehovah. To remain spiritually strong, we must strengthen our own godly devotion and fear through regular study, meditation, and prayer.