How does Joash's fate compare to other kings' endings in the Old Testament? Setting the Scene Joash started so well, rescued from Athaliah’s slaughter, crowned at age seven, guided by the godly priest Jehoiada, and busy repairing the temple (2 Kings 12:1–15). Yet when Jehoiada died, Joash drifted, embraced idolatry, and even ordered the stoning of Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:17–22). His end mirrors that tragic turn. Joash’s Final Moments “Then Joash’s servants conspired against him and killed him at Beth-millo, on the road down to Silla.” (2 Kings 12:20) A king of Judah, slain by his own officials inside Jerusalem’s fortifications—hardly the noble farewell enjoyed by some of his forefathers. Assassination Club: Kings Who Fell to Conspiracies Joash belongs to a grim fraternity of rulers whose reigns ended by the sword of insiders: • Nadab of Israel – “Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon” (1 Kings 15:27). • Elah of Israel – “Zimri came in, struck him down, and killed him” (1 Kings 16:10). • Joram of Israel – “Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders” (2 Kings 9:24). • Zechariah of Israel – “Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah and struck him down” (2 Kings 15:10). • Amon of Judah – “His servants conspired against him and killed the king in his own house” (2 Kings 21:23). • Joash of Judah – the verse above, echoed in 2 Chronicles 24:25. Like these men, Joash forfeited covenant protection; internal betrayal became God’s instrument of judgment. Honored Departures: Kings Who Died in Peace By contrast, several faithful (though imperfect) kings “slept with their fathers” and received full royal honors: • David – “David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David” (1 Kings 2:10). • Solomon – “Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David” (1 Kings 11:43). • Asa – “They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself” with great ceremonies (2 Chronicles 16:14). • Jehoshaphat – “He was buried with his fathers in the City of David” (2 Chronicles 21:1). • Hezekiah – “They buried him in the upper section of the tombs of the sons of David; all Judah honored him” (2 Chronicles 32:33). These deaths underline a principle: persevering faithfulness usually brought a peaceful end and public esteem. Deaths Under Heavy Judgment Other kings died violently, not by palace coup but still under unmistakable divine retribution: • Saul – fell on his sword after being fatally wounded (1 Samuel 31:4). • Ahab – “the king died that evening” from a random arrow, dogs licking his blood as the LORD had spoken (1 Kings 22:37–38). • Ahaziah of Judah – shot by Jehu’s men (2 Kings 9:27–28). • Uzziah – though dying in his own house, he was a leper “cut off from the house of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 26:21–23). Their ends warn that partial obedience or outright rebellion invites severe consequences. Why Joash Ended Badly • He abandoned the LORD once his mentor died (2 Chronicles 24:17–18). • He silenced prophetic rebuke with violence, murdering Zechariah (24:20–22). • Wounded in battle, he still refused to repent; conspiracy finished what Aramean arrows began (24:23–25). • Unlike David (2 Samuel 24) or Hezekiah (2 Kings 20), Joash offered no heartfelt plea for mercy. Thus Joash’s downfall lines up with assassinated kings rather than honored ones, illustrating Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Lessons for Today • Early zeal does not guarantee a strong finish; continual trust and obedience matter. • Removing godly influences without replacing them with personal conviction leaves a vacuum quickly filled by idolatry. • God’s covenant promises include both blessing and discipline; He keeps His word either way. • Our endings are shaped by ongoing choices—cling to the Lord like Hezekiah, or drift like Joash and share his fate. Joash’s story stands as a sober reminder: how we finish counts, and Scripture faithfully records both the honor and the horror. |
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