How does Jehoash's reign compare to other kings in Israel's history? Setting the Scene “In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years… And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days he was instructed by Jehoiada the priest. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.” (2 Kings 12:1-3) Positive Marks on Jehoash’s Record • Lengthy reign (40 years) suggests God’s sustaining hand (cf. Deuteronomy 5:33). • Early obedience: “did what was right… all the days he was instructed by Jehoiada” (v. 2). • Temple restoration (2 Kings 12:4-16): redirected resources to repair the house of the LORD—something most predecessors neglected. • Responded to prophetic counsel while Jehoiada lived (2 Chron 24:2). Where Jehoash Fell Short • High places left intact (2 Kings 12:3). • Later apostasy after Jehoiada’s death: listened to princes, abandoned the LORD, murdered Jehoiada’s son Zechariah (2 Chron 24:17-22). • Judgment followed: Aramean invasion, severe wounds, assassination by own servants (2 Chron 24:23-25). Comparing Jehoash to Other Kings 1. Kings who began well but drifted – Solomon: built the temple, later multiplied idols (1 Kings 11:4-8). – Asa: “heart was wholly devoted,” yet relied on Syria in old age (1 Kings 15:14; 2 Chron 16:7-12). – Jehoash mirrors this pattern—early zeal, later compromise. 2. Kings who were mostly righteous yet tolerated high places – Asa (1 Kings 15:14) – Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43) – Jehoash fits here: did not fully purge idolatrous sites. 3. Reforming kings who went further than Jehoash – Hezekiah: “He removed the high places, smashed the sacred pillars…” (2 Kings 18:3-4). – Josiah: unparalleled zeal—“Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him…” (2 Kings 23:25). 4. Wicked rulers for stark contrast – Ahab: “did more to provoke the LORD… than all the kings… before him” (1 Kings 16:33). – Manasseh (pre-repentance): filled Jerusalem with innocent blood (2 Kings 21:16). – Compared with them, Jehoash’s early years shine, but his later actions edge him toward their judgment. Key Takeaways • Jehoash’s reign is a study in conditional faithfulness—thriving under godly guidance, collapsing when that influence fades. • He ranks above apostate kings because of his initial obedience and temple repairs, yet below reformers like Hezekiah and Josiah who eradicated high places. • His life underscores a recurring biblical principle: enduring obedience matters more than a promising start (cf. Galatians 5:7; Hebrews 3:14). Tracing the Thread Forward Jehoash’s mixed legacy prepares the reader for the longing expressed by the prophets for a perfect, never-wavering Davidic king (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6). His story, placed alongside the rest of Israel’s monarchs, magnifies both God’s patience and the ultimate need for the flawless reign of the Messiah. |
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