King Joash (also known as Jehoash) was an important king in the Bible who ruled over the kingdom of Judah for 40 years. According to 2 Kings 11-12 and 2 Chronicles 22-24, Joash became king as a young child after his grandmother Athaliah tried to seize the throne by killing all potential heirs. However, Joash was rescued as an infant and hidden in the temple for six years while Athaliah ruled. At age seven, Joash was brought out of hiding by the priest Jehoiada and anointed as the rightful king. Jehoiada served as a mentor and guide to the young king.
During his reign, Joash ordered repairs to the temple of God, which had fallen into disrepair under Athaliah’s rule. He collected funds from the people and had skilled workers carry out repairs so the temple could be restored to its proper glory (2 Kings 12:4-16). The high priest Jehoiada served as an adviser to Joash and taught him the ways of the Lord when he was young (2 Chronicles 24:1-2). As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash was faithful to God. However, after Jehoiada died, Joash listened to the wrong counsel and turned away from the Lord (2 Chronicles 24:17-22). He even had Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, stoned to death when Zechariah rebuked the king for his idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:20-22).
Later in his reign, King Joash suffered military defeat when he fought against King Hazael and the Arameans. The Arameans invaded Judah and Jerusalem and inflicted heavy losses (2 Kings 12:17-18, 2 Chronicles 24:23-24). The prophet Elisha foretold that Joash would only have victory over the Arameans three times, because he had failed to rely fully on the Lord (2 Kings 13:14-19). After reigning for 40 years in Jerusalem, Joash was assassinated by his own officials as judgment for the killing of Zechariah (2 Kings 12:19-21, 2 Chronicles 24:25-27). He was buried in Jerusalem but not in the royal tombs because of his unfaithfulness to God.
Some key facts about King Joash in the Bible:
- He became king of Judah at age 7 after surviving a massacre of the royal family.
- He was mentored by the high priest Jehoiada early in his reign.
- He oversaw repairs to the temple during a period of revival.
- Later he turned away from God and embraced idolatry.
- He killed the prophet Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, for rebuking him.
- His reign ended in military defeat against the Arameans.
- After 40 years as king, he was assassinated by his own officials.
The life of Joash illustrates the highs and lows that leaders can experience in their walk with God. Though he started strong under godly counsel, he strayed from the right path when he no longer had good influences around him. Yet God gave Joash ample opportunities to turn back to righteousness. The Lord sent prophets like Zechariah to confront Joash and warn him of the consequences of idolatry. But in the end, Joash stubbornly chose to reject the word of the Lord. His life stands as a sobering example of how privilege and power can lead to corruption when leaders forget God.
Joash’s Early Life and Rise to the Throne
Joash’s story began during a dark time for the kingdom of Judah. When Joash was an infant, his grandmother Queen Athaliah staged a coup after the death of her son King Ahaziah. She ruthlessly killed all of Ahaziah’s sons – her own grandchildren – who might pose a threat to her claim to the throne (2 Kings 11:1, 2 Chronicles 22:10). However, Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba rescued the baby Joash from the massacre and hid him away for six years, while Athaliah ruled over Judah (2 Kings 11:2-3, 2 Chronicles 22:11-12). Jehosheba was married to the high priest Jehoiada, who helped raise and protect Joash during those dangerous early years.
After six years, Jehoiada the priest made his move, declaring that the 7-year-old Joash was the rightful heir to the throne. Jehoiada organized a coup against Athaliah, strategically using trusted guards to secure the temple area and limit her strength. When Athaliah came to investigate the commotion at the temple, she saw young Joash standing by a pillar wearing the crown and royal robes. Jehoiada announced that Joash was now the king. Athaliah cried out in protest, but Jehoiada had her escorted out of the temple grounds and put to death for her treachery (2 Kings 11:4-16, 2 Chronicles 23:1-15).
With Athaliah out of the way, Jehoiada presided over a covenant ceremony between God, the new King Joash, and the people. The people celebrated and rejoiced because the line of David once again ruled in Jerusalem just as God had promised (2 Kings 11:17-20, 2 Chronicles 23:16-21). From the time he took the throne at age seven, Joash had Jehoiada to teach him God’s laws and guide his reign. As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash followed righteous ways and led reforms in Judah (2 Chronicles 24:1-2).
Joash’s Restoration of the Temple
One of the first acts of Joash as king was to initiate repairs to the temple of God, which had fallen into disrepair under Athaliah’s reign. The king ordered the priests and Levites to collect funds from the people to pay for the temple repairs. At first, the priests were slow to respond. Finally, at the king’s command, a collection chest was placed outside the temple gate so people could donate funds. The people supported the project and brought abundant donations for the materials and labor (2 Kings 12:4-8).
The priests put the money to good use, hiring skillful stonemasons, carpenters, and other workers to carry out the restoration (2 Kings 12:11-12). They reinforced damaged areas, replaced rotten beams, and upgraded the facilities to restore the temple’s former glory. The repairs successfully strengthened the temple infrastructure that Athaliah had neglected for so many years (2 Chronicles 24:12-13). King Joash made sure the work was done with integrity and close oversight of the funds (2 Kings 12:15). By the 23rd year of his reign, the restoration was complete, and the renovated temple was once again dedicated for worship services (2 Chronicles 24:14).
Joash’s efforts to revive the temple illustrated his devotion to God early in his reign, under Jehoiada’s guidance. The temple repairs also showed his desire for the people to renew their commitment to the Lord. Just as Joash was rescued as an infant and restored to the throne, so God’s dwelling place was revived and restored under his leadership. For a time, true worship thrived again in the temple courts.
Joash’s Turn to Idolatry and Rejection of Zechariah
Sadly, after Jehoiada passed away, Joash listened to the wrong counsel and turned away from the Lord (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). Forsaking the faithfulness he had shown in his youth, Joash endorsed idol worship and allowed Asherah poles in Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 24:18). God sent prophets to confront Joash and turn him back to righteous ways, but he refused to listen. The king had shifted from a restorer of worship to a promoter of idolatry and spiritual corruption.
The prophet Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, boldly confronted Joash, declaring that God was angry with the people for forsaking Him. But rather than repent, Joash ordered that Zechariah be stoned to death in the temple courtyard – the very place where Jehoiada had anointed Joash as king years before (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Murdering Zechariah in such a sacred setting displayed ultimate contempt for God on Joash’s part. Acts 5:26 indicates that Zechariah’s bloodstained robes were preserved for many years after as a reminder of this tragedy.
By silencing Zechariah’s righteous voice, Joash showed how far he had drifted from the godly principles Jehoiada had taught him. Rejecting the prophet’s message, he chose to continue promoting spiritual corruption among his people. As a result, God’s wrath was kindled against Joash and the people of Judah for this great injustice (2 Chronicles 24:18). The king who had once repairs the temple now opposed God’s word and those who preached it faithfully like Zechariah.
Joash’s Defeat by the Arameans
In the later years of Joash’s reign, God allowed the kingdom of Judah to suffer military defeat because of the king’s idolatry and unfaithfulness. The Arameans invaded Judah and Jerusalem, destroying their princes and taking plunder from the people to their capital in Damascus (2 Chronicles 24:23-24). The Aramean army was comparatively small, but the Lord gave them victory over Judah’s much larger forces.
The prophet Elisha was sick with the illness that eventually took his life during the Arameans’ invasion. Joash visited him and wept by his bedside, addressing him as “my father” – recalling Jehoiada, Elisha’s godly mentor. Elisha told Joash that he would only gain victory over the Arameans three times, because he had failed to fully rely on the Lord as his father Jehoiada had taught him. Afterward, Joash defeated the Arameans three times according to Elisha’s word, but without completely destroying their army (2 Kings 13:14-19).
Joash had failed to learn from God’s discipline and turn wholeheartedly back to Him. As a result, Judah remained vulnerable to future attacks. Joash had squandered the blessings God offered during times of revival. His disastrous choices late in his reign cost his kingdom greatly.
Joash’s Assassination and Death
After reigning for 40 years, Joash came to a violent end when he was assassinated by his own officials. His turn to idolatry caused judgment to fall on Judah’s leaders. The officials who killed the king were Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer – though their motivation is unclear. Joash was buried in Jerusalem but not with the other kings because of his unfaithfulness to God (2 Kings 12:19-21, 2 Chronicles 24:25-27). His reign ended in disgrace.
Joash’s death fulfilled God’s word through the prophet Zechariah that He would strike down those who had abandoned Him (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). It also showed that while Joash had started well as a righteous king, he failed to finish well. By rejecting the call to repentance from prophets like Zechariah, he experienced the consequences of his fatal wrong choices. Just as Joash had killed Zechariah in the temple courts, the king himself was struck down in the prime of life.
Nevertheless, God demonstrated great patience and mercy to Joash by giving him many years to turn from his evil ways. Tragically, the king continued down a path of unfaithfulness that ended in disaster for himself and his kingdom. His legacy serves as a sobering lesson on the corruption of power when leaders reject God’s word.
Lessons from Joash’s Life
King Joash’s life offers some valuable lessons for leaders today. Here are a few key lessons that emerge from his story in Scripture:
- The influence of mentors – Joash flourished under Jehoiada’s godly mentoring but faltered when it was gone. Wise mentors are invaluable for developing good character.
- The temptation of power – Joash grew corrupt as king when he no longer had good advisers to keep him humble and accountable.
- The danger of compromise – In creeping incremental steps, Joash embraced idolatry and sacrificed his integrity as king.
- The courage of prophets – Zechariah boldly spoke truth to power, not cowed by Joash’s royal authority.
- The patience of God – The Lord disciplined Joash but gave him years to repent before severe judgment fell.
- The consequences of sin – Joash experienced military defeat, assassination, and disgrace because he turned from God.
For leaders in any era, Joash stands as a cautionary tale. His life underscores the need for humility, integrity and faithfulness in stewarding the authority God grants. When leaders reject righteous counsel and compromise their values, it leads to disaster for themselves and those they lead.
Conclusion
King Joash played a pivotal role in Judah during a key period in the temple’s history. His early devotion to God’s house and reform efforts showed great promise. But his disastrous choices later in life illustrated the damaging consequences of pride, greed and idolatry in leadership. Joash squandered God’s blessings by rejecting the call to repentance. Though he began his reign as a restorer, he ended it as a fallen leader who experienced God’s judgment.
Yet God showed much patience toward Joash, giving him decades to turn back to righteousness. The Lord corrected Joash with mercy through prophetic voices and military setbacks designed to draw him back to faith. Tragically, the king stubbornly clung to his sins, resulting in his ultimate downfall. Joash’s life stands as a stark reminder that leaders reap what they sow – blessing comes through obedience, but judgment awaits those who forsake God.