2 Kings 11:4-21
The royal family of Israel has just been completely massacred. That of Judah has suffered the same fate, with the exception of a small boy hidden in the temple by his aunt, wife of the high priest (2 Chronicles 22:11). During this time the hateful Athaliah is unjustly occupying the throne.
There is a similar situation today: Jesus, having passed through death (while Joash escaped it), is today in the Father’s house exercising His priesthood, hidden from the eyes of the world, but in the presence of God soon to appear in the day of His glory as the true "Son of David". There are those — who are of the family of God – who know Him and honour Him as the rightful King, waiting for His appearing (Titus 2:13). They possess both a precious secret and a joyful hope. As a result, the temporary dominion of Satan, "the Prince of this world", does not upset them. It will soon be brought to destruction, just as the reign of the wicked Athaliah in our chapter here. The coronation of Jehoash is then the picture of a future event which our hearts welcome in faith.
The worship of Baal is then eradicated from Judah, without the necessity of the wiles employed by Jehu.