Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of II Kings Chapter 11
Metaphysically Interpreting II Kings 11:1-3
11:1Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. 11:2But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons that were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedchamber; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain; 11:3And he was with her hid in the house of Jehovah six years. And Athaliah reigned over the land.
Metaphysically Interpreting II Kings 11:4-12
11:4And in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the house of Jehovah; and he made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of Jehovah, and showed them the king's son. 11:5And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king's house; 11:6And a third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier. 11:7And the two companies of you, even all that go forth on the sabbath, shall keep the watch of the house of Jehovah about the king. 11:8And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in.
11:9And the captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 11:10And the priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of Jehovah. 11:11And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king round about. 11:12Then he brought out the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, Long live the king.
September 12, 1915: II Kings 11:1-6
Physical science is proving the unity of all things and corroborating pure metaphysics. The many elements that made up the primal matter of old science have gradually been reduced to a few; and the most advanced schools say that there is but one universal substance, and that all the multifarious forms in the universe are the results of modes of motion in that one substance. This is not a theory as was much of the old science, but the result of independent research and experiment on the part of fearless investigators, who are working without reference to the conclusions reached by their predecessors. Edison says that the textbooks and recorded conclusions of experimenters in the electrical field have so often misled him that he no longer consults them. When he wants to know what electricity will do under certain conditions, he works it out for himself; then he looks at the textbook. If it agrees with his demonstrations, it is corroborative; but if it does not, he considers the author either a theorist or mistaken in his conclusions.
There are laboratories all over the earth where patient scientists are evolving facts, and they almost universally agree that the force and intelligence back of all that appears is One. “What is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.” (Heb. 11:3)
In religion is a school of thinkers corresponding to these independent physical scientists. They are thinking the problem of life out from an entirely original standpoint. They start with the proposition that there is One Spirit, or One Mind, One Principle, from which originate all thoughts. They do not allow that any textbook or Scripture is authority for this conclusion but that Truth reveals itself. That is, this One Universal Mind, being the only source of intelligence, will inform all those who look to it with undivided attention, and they will know the absolute Truth independent of all authorities that have proceeded them. Then, like Edison, they consult the Scriptures of the various religious cults for corroborative testimony, and when they find it they are glad. They do not investigate from the standpoint of the Scriptures, but from the direct study of thoughts and states of consciousness. It is quite wonderful how the Bible opens up to one who investigates the mental facts of his own daily experience first, and then reads the Spirit behind the letter of the Hebrew Scriptures. Those old writers had an insight into the thought realm that is astonishing, and they penetrated the subjective realms of human consciousness and Divine ideas far deeper than we have given them credit.
In our study of today's lesson we find that the mystical meaning of the Hebrew names used is as follows:
- Athaliah, Distressed of Jehovah.
- Ahaziah, Vision of the Lord.
- Jehosheba, Oath of the Lord.
- Joram, Jehovah is exalted.
- Joash, Jehovah supports.
- Jehoiada, Jehovah knows.
This is corroborative of the discovery that there is but One Mind, and that every individual and the various phases of character that make the individual, are but states of consciousness of the One Mind. To the man of sense these various thought aggregations seem to be men and women, but to the metaphysician they are Jehovah in his various aspects.
Athaliah is that state in which the feminine, or love in man, has become selfish beyond the law; it is the “distress of Jehovah.” Its dominant ambition is to rule. It destroys everything that stands in the way of attaining this ambition. This selfishness was first engendered through love for its son, and when he was slain, it entered upon self. A selfish affection for children, and mortal ambition for them, often bring about this separation of the soul from the higher Law, and the consequent elimination of the unlawful condition from consciousness. When this selfish love has ruled in consciousness about so long, the higher thought planes bring their forces to bear and put it out. Although selfish ambition for a season causes discord, there are forces at work in consciousness that restore the rightful king.
Joash “Jehovah supports.” No matter how blind and sensual we may seem, there are redemptive agencies in our world within that will finally prevail and save us, if we give them a chance. Hidden in the “house” is the infant Joash, who at the age of seven is brought forth by Jehoida “Jehovah knows,” and through certain transformations in the various centers in subjective consciousness, symbolized by the movements of soldiers, he is elevated to the throne. Then Athaliah, “the distress of Jehovah” is erased from consciousness; she is allowed to pass out through the way that the horses come in, and then slain. This means that affectional selfishness is to be relegated to the rear, where the vital or animal forces originate, and then be eliminated. It is a fact of experience among metaphysicians that where some selfish thought is broken up in consciousness and allowed to pass away, there is unusual activity in the functions of elimination in bowels and kidneys. This demonstrates that thoughts are things and that they can be broken up and passed out of the system (“house”) through this back door, in their material symbols, refuse matter.
– UNITY magazine.
April 9, 1922: II Kings 11:1-4
In individual consciousness what does Athatliah represent? The meaning of the name “Athaliah” is “the distress of Jehovah.” Athaliah represents feminine love ruled wholly by selfishness. Love is divine, but it can be used to selfish ends, to its own final destruction.
What is the meaning of Ahaziah? The meaning of Ahaziah in the Hebrew is “Jehovah sustains.” Ahaziah represents the continuity of the inner spiritual will of man which selfishness cannot kill.
How is the inner spiritual will protected from sense? It is here recorded that Jehosheba, sister of Ahaziah, protected Joash, heir to the throne. Jehosheba is “oath of the well,” and represents the spiritual word or blessing which has been put upon the divine spark within man. This was typified in the Jewish religion as the sacred agreement contained in the ark of the covenant.
May 11, 1924: II Kings 11:1-4
What is the Hebrew meaning of the word Athaliah? Athaliah means “distressed of Jehovah.”
What state of consciousness does Athaliah represent? Athaliah represents selfish love.
What is the result of selfish mother love? In bringing forth the ideals of mother love, the field of action is restricted by selfishness, which causes the ideals to perish. This process is here represented by the death of the son of Athaliah.
Does selfishness rule permanently in individual consciousness? Selfish thoughts may rule for a time, but the higher ideals finally attain power and supremacy.
What is the Hebrew meaning of the name Joram? Joram means “Jehovah is exalted.” Joram was king; therefore King Joram represents the first directive movement of the will in raising the spiritual forces above the selfish thoughts.
What is the Hebrew meaning of the name Jehosheba? Jehosheba means “oath of the Lord,” representing the firm, unwavering stand in consciousness which declares that the spiritual powers must endure. Jehosheba saved the young king.
Define the Word Joash. Joash means “Jehovah supports,” symbolizing the power in consciousness which receives sustenance and life direct from the fountainhead of God the power, which is finally made king of the nations or ruler over the whole consciousness.
Define the name Jehoiada. Jehoiada represents spiritual discernment or judgment, that decides and fixes the penalty of death upon selfishness.
What does the number seven symbolize? The number seven symbolizes the completed growth of the natural man. Joash was hidden seven years in the house of Jehovah.
Metaphysically Interpreting II Kings 11:13-21
11:13And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the house of Jehovah: 11:14and she looked, and, behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the manner was, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason! treason! 11:15And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth between the ranks; and him that followeth her slay with the sword. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of Jehovah. 11:16So they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house: and there was she slain.
11:17And Jehoiada made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they should be Jehovah's people; between the king also and the people. 11:18And all the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of Jehovah. 11:19And he took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of Jehovah, and came by the way of the gate of the guard unto the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. 11:20So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. And Athaliah they had slain with the sword at the king's house.
September 12, 1915: II Kings 11:1-16
What is the meaning of Athaliah? It represents the selfishness of personal love.
What are its characteristics? Ambition, and the will to destroy everything that stands in its way.
Who is Joash? He is the rightful king in consciousness.
How is he brought to the throne? By certain changes in consciousness symbolized by the movements of soldiers.
What then becomes of Athaliah? She is overcome; that is, the states of consciousness which she represents are broken up and dissolved and eliminated from mind and body.
April 9, 1922: II Kings 11:11-17
What does Jehoiada represent? Jehoiada means “Jehovah knows.” Jehoiada represents the Divine Law of justice, which brings to retribution all who transgress its law. He calls into action the forces that destroy error.
Why did the high priest command that Jehosheba should not be slain in the house of Jehovah? Because the house of Jehovah was a holy place. Nothing is destroyed in Divine Mind, but selfishness is driven out of the holy place and is made to become the nothingness which it really is.
May 11, 1924: II Kings 11:11-18
What is the metaphysical meaning of the slaying of Athaliah in the horses’ entry to the king’s house? The selfishness of personality expresses itself through the flesh, and when its rule is denied, its elimination takes place through the animal forces. Jesus drove the demons into the swine and then drove the swine into the sea.
What is the meaning of the covenant made between Jehoiada, Jehovah, and the people? The covenant was that the people (all the thoughts) should be Jehovah's; that is, that they should keep the commandments and be guided by Spirit in all ways.
When the covenant or agreement with Spirit is established in consciousness, and one affirms his loyalty to the inspirations of Divine Mind, what follows? When man determines to follow Spirit, and when he makes spiritual ideas and aims the basis of his life, the confusion of Baal (materiality) is broken down, and the images of materiality in his mind are dissipated, as symbolically set forth in verse 18.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 02-07-2014
