Joash: The King of Judah

Also Known as

Jehoash

Meaning of the Name

The LORD has given

Reference

II Kings 11:1 - 12:21
II Chronicles 24:1-25

Reign

40 years (835 - 796 B.C.)

History

Joash was saved from Athaliah's maniacal wrath by his older sister Jehoshabeath and her husband, Jehoida the priest. When Joash was seven, he was made king, and Athaliah was put to death. Joash would remain king for the next 40 years. So long as Jehoida lived, Joash was at his best. He set his heart on repairing the Temple that had long been neglected by his predecessors and resolutely did so. However, the turning point in Joash's reign (and his life) came when Jehoida died. Without the good priest's counsel, Joash went astray. "Now after the death of Jehoida came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king ... And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols" (II Chronicles 24:17-18). In fact, so great was Joash's rebellion, that he ordered the stoning death of Jehoida's son, Zechariah, who had confronted him about his sin. Joash died from the hands of his own servants who sought revenge for Zechariah's death.

It was clear that Joash's heart was devoted more to Jehoida than to God. When Jehoida was no longer in the picture, the king's true allegiances emerged.