1
Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, from Beersheba.
2
Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3
Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he became the father of sons and daughters.
4
After this, Joash set his heart on restoring the house of the LORD.
5
He gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and collect money from all Israel each year to repair the house of your God. Do this quickly!” But the Levites did not act quickly.
6
So the king called for Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses, the servant of God, upon the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?”
7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God, and had even used the holy things of the house of the LORD for the Baals.
8
Then the king commanded that a chest be made and set outside at the gate of the house of the LORD,
9
and a proclamation was made in Judah and in Jerusalem that the tax imposed by Moses, the servant of God, on Israel in the wilderness should be brought to the LORD.
10
All the leaders and all the people rejoiced; they brought their tax and put it into the chest until it was full.
11
Whenever the chest was brought in for inspection by the Levites on behalf of the king, and when they saw that there was much money in it, the king’s scribe and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty the chest; then they would take it and return it to its place. Thus they did every time, and much money was collected.
12
The king and Jehoiada gave the money to those who supervised the work on the house of the LORD. These hired stonecutters and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, and also ironworkers and bronze workers to repair the house of the LORD.
13
So the workmen set to work, and the repair work progressed under their hands. They rebuilt the house of God according to its original condition and strengthened it.
14
When they had finished, they brought the surplus money to the king and Jehoiada. It was used to make utensils for the house of the LORD, namely utensils for the service of the house, utensils for the burnt offerings, and also bowls and utensils of gold and silver. Throughout the days of Jehoiada, burnt offerings were continually offered in the house of the LORD.
15
Yoyada grew old and was full of days, and he died. He was one hundred and thirty years old when he died.
16
They buried him in the City of David beside the kings, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and for His house.
17
After Yoyada died, the leaders of Judah came and bowed down before the king. From then on the king listened to them.
18
They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. Because of that guilt, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem.
19
Yet the LORD sent prophets to them, to bring them back to Him. The prophets warned them earnestly, but they would not listen.
20
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, the son of the priest Yoyada. He stood before the people and said to them, “Thus says God: Why do you break the commandments of the LORD, so that you do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you!”
21
But they conspired against him, and by the king’s command they stoned him in the court of the house of the LORD.
22
King Joash did not remember the loyalty shown by Yoyada, the father of Zechariah, toward him. He killed the son of Yoyada, who at the time of his death cried out, “May the LORD see it and avenge it!”
23
At the turn of the year the army of Aram came up against Joash and entered Judah and Jerusalem. From among the people they killed all the leaders, and they sent all the plunder to the king of Damascus.
24
Although the army of Aram came with only a few men, the LORD gave a very great army into their hand, because the people of Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. So the Arameans carried out judgment on Joash.
25
When they withdrew from him, — they left him with severe wounds — his servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of the priest Yoyada, and they killed him on his bed. He died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
26
Those who conspired against him were: Zabad, the son of Shimeath the Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, the son of Shimrith the Moabite woman.
27
As for his sons, and the many divine sayings against him, and the repair of the house of God, all these are written in the commentary on the book of the kings. Then Amaziah his son became king in his place.
👑🔨💔 Summary of 2 Chronicles 24 – Joash: A King Who Began Well, but Ended in Tragedy
2 Chronicles 24 tells of the rise and fall of King Joash’s life, who at the beginning of his reign did what was right in the sight of the Lord under the guidance of Priest Yoyada. He restored the house of the LORD and rebuilt pure worship. But after Yoyada died, Joash forsook the LORD, followed wicked leaders, and even killed Yoyada’s son who rebuked him. His life ended tragically — he was killed by his own servants. This story emphasizes the importance of personal faith, not merely relying on spiritual leaders.
📌 1. Joash Reigns Well under Jehoiada’s Guidance (verses 1–3)
➡️ Joash became king at the age of 7 and reigned 40 years in Jerusalem
➡️ He did what was right in the sight of the LORD as long as Jehoiada lived
➡️ Jehoiada chose two wives for Joash, and he had many children
🎯 A person’s faith can flourish under the right spiritual mentor, but it must continue to grow personally.
📌 2. Joash Repairs the House of the LORD (verses 4–14)
➡️ Joash noticed the ruined condition of the house of the LORD and ordered it to be repaired
➡️ At first the priests were slow to carry out the task, then Joash took over the coordination
➡️ He placed a chest for offerings at the entrance of the house of the LORD, and the people gave gladly
➡️ The funds were used to pay the workers, metalworkers, and makers of articles for the house of God
🎯 When leaders and the people unite in giving, the house of God is restored abundantly.
📌 3. The Fall after Jehoiada’s Death (verses 15–22)
➡️ After Jehoiada died at the age of 130, the leaders of Judah led Joash astray
➡️ They abandoned the LORD and worshiped idols
➡️ The LORD sent prophets, but they were not listened to
➡️ Even Zechariah son of Jehoiada, a prophet and priest, was killed by Joash’s command because he rebuked them
➡️ Zechariah said before he died:
“May the LORD see it and require it!”
🎯 Without personal roots of faith, a person can quickly fall — even against those who once helped him.
📌 4. Joash’s Tragic Death (verses 23–27)
➡️ The following year, the Aramean army invaded Jerusalem despite their small number
➡️ The LORD handed Joash over because he had forsaken Him
➡️ Joash was severely wounded, and his servants killed him on his bed
➡️ He was not buried in the tombs of the kings, because his honor had faded
🎯 One who begins well does not always end well — obedience must be kept to the end.
📖 Main Lessons
- Wise spiritual leaders can guide the young generation toward the truth
- The repair of the house of the LORD is a sign of repentance and restoration
- Faith must not depend on others alone — it must be planted in one’s own heart
- When God is pushed aside, a nation will fall apart even if it is strong militarily
- Ignoring spiritual correction and oppressing the truth brings judgment
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“He who began a good work among you will bring it to completion…”
➡️ The Lord wants us not only to begin well, but also to finish it faithfully
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you…”
➡️ Jehoiada was an example of a spiritual leader — Joash failed after his passing
📖 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (in contrast to Joash)
“I have finished the race well…”
➡️ Joash did not keep the faith to the end
“We will share in Christ, if indeed we hold firmly to the end…”
➡️ Obedience is not about the beginning, but perseverance to the end
🕊️ “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada.” – 2 Chr 24:2
🕊️ “May the LORD see and avenge.” – 2 Chr 24:22
🕊️ “Thus the LORD delivered them… because they had forsaken the LORD.” – 2 Chr 24:24
🕊️ “They killed Joash on his bed.” – 2 Chr 24:25
🕊️ “He was not buried in the tombs of the kings.” – 2 Chr 24:25
