◄ 2 Chronicles 24:22 ►
Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada's son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, "May the LORD see this and call you to account."
Study Bible
King Joash
The name "Joash" means "given by the Lord" in Hebrew. Joash was a king of Judah who began his reign as a child under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada. His early reign was marked by faithfulness to God, largely due to Jehoiada's influence. However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash's leadership faltered, leading to idolatry and moral decline. This highlights the importance of godly mentorship and the dangers of straying from righteous counsel.

did not remember
The Hebrew root for "remember" is "zakar," which implies more than just recalling information; it involves acting upon that memory. Joash's failure to remember Jehoiada's kindness was not merely a lapse in memory but a moral failure to honor and reciprocate the loyalty and protection Jehoiada had provided. This serves as a cautionary tale about the spiritual and ethical duty to remember and honor those who have positively impacted our lives.

the kindness
The word "kindness" is derived from the Hebrew "chesed," which encompasses loyalty, faithfulness, and loving-kindness. Jehoiada's kindness was not just a single act but a steadfast commitment to Joash's well-being and the spiritual health of the nation. This reflects the biblical principle of "chesed" as a covenantal love that mirrors God's unwavering love for His people.

that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him
Jehoiada was a high priest who played a crucial role in preserving the Davidic line and guiding Joash. His actions were pivotal in maintaining the worship of Yahweh in Judah. The mention of "Zechariah’s father" emphasizes the generational impact of Jehoiada's faithfulness, contrasting with Joash's betrayal. This highlights the biblical theme of legacy and the responsibility to honor the spiritual heritage passed down through generations.

but he killed his son
This phrase marks a tragic turning point, illustrating Joash's moral and spiritual decline. The act of killing Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, was not only a personal betrayal but a violation of divine justice. It underscores the destructive consequences of forsaking God's commandments and the influence of ungodly counsel, as Joash was swayed by corrupt advisors after Jehoiada's death.

As he lay dying
Zechariah's dying words carry prophetic weight, serving as a divine indictment against Joash. The image of Zechariah dying unjustly evokes the suffering of the righteous throughout Scripture, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. It serves as a reminder of the cost of standing for truth and righteousness in a fallen world.

he said, 'May the LORD see this and call you to account.'
Zechariah's final plea is an appeal to divine justice. The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which implies not just visual observation but a deep understanding and concern. "Call you to account" reflects the biblical principle of divine retribution, where God holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions. This plea underscores the belief in God's ultimate justice and the assurance that He will vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Joash
The king of Judah who initially did what was right in the eyes of the Lord under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest but later turned away from God.

2. Jehoiada
The high priest who played a crucial role in preserving the Davidic line by protecting Joash and guiding him in his early reign.

3. Zechariah
The son of Jehoiada, a prophet who was killed by Joash for speaking against the king's apostasy.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where these events took place.

5. The Temple
The central place of worship in Jerusalem, which Joash initially helped to restore.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Influence
Jehoiada's influence on Joash shows the impact of godly mentorship. Without it, Joash strayed, highlighting the need for continuous spiritual guidance.

The Danger of Forgetfulness
Joash's failure to remember Jehoiada's kindness serves as a warning against ingratitude and the spiritual amnesia that can lead to sin.

Accountability Before God
Zechariah's dying words remind us that God sees injustice and will hold individuals accountable, encouraging believers to live righteously.

The Cost of Apostasy
Joash's account illustrates the tragic consequences of turning away from God, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How did Jehoiada's influence shape Joash's early reign, and what can this teach us about the role of mentorship in our spiritual lives?

2. In what ways can we guard against spiritual forgetfulness and ensure we remember God's past faithfulness and the kindness of others?

3. How does the account of Zechariah's martyrdom challenge us to stand firm in our convictions, even in the face of opposition?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we remain accountable to God and others in our daily walk?

5. How does Joash's account connect with the New Testament teachings on apostasy, and what lessons can we draw for our own spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 12
Provides a parallel account of Joash's reign, highlighting his initial faithfulness and subsequent apostasy.

Matthew 23:35
Jesus references the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, which some scholars connect to this Zechariah, emphasizing the theme of prophetic martyrdom.

Hebrews 10:29
Discusses the severity of turning away from the truth after receiving knowledge, paralleling Joash's betrayal of Jehoiada's legacy.
Sermons
Joash and JehoiadaW. H. Bennett, M.A.2 Chronicles 24:22
The Downward Career of a KingT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 24:17-22
Sad Successive StagesW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 24:17-25
People
Amaziah, Aram, Athaliah, David, Jehoiada, Jehozabad, Joash, Levites, Shimeath, Shimrith, Syrians, Zabad, Zechariah, Zibiah
Places
Beersheba, Damascus, Jerusalem
Topics
Account, Avenge, Death, Didn't, Died, Dying, Hour, Jehoiada, Jehoi'ada, Joash, Jo'ash, Killed, Kindness, Lay, Mind, Murdered, Payment, Remember, Remembered, Require, Shown, Slayeth, Slew, Thus, Zechariah's, Zechari'ah's
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 24:22

     5889   ingratitude
     8291   kindness

Library
The King's Farewell
'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Joash
'And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.... 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.'--2 CHRON. xxiv. 2, 17. Here we have the tragedy of a soul. Joash begins life well and for the greater part of it remains faithful to his conscience and to his duty, and then, when outward circumstances change, he casts all behind him, forgets the past and commits moral …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
'And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord. 5. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 6. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Channel of Power.
A Word that Sticks and Stings. I suppose everyone here can think of three or four persons whom he loves or regards highly, who are not christians. Can you? Perhaps in your own home circle, or in the circle of your close friends. They may be nice people, cultured, lovable, delightful companions, fond of music and good books, and all that; but this is true of them, that they do not trust and confess Jesus as a personal Savior. Can you think of such persons in your own circle? I am going to wait a …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Conclusion
"Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). In our Foreword to the Second Edition we acknowledge the need for preserving the balance of Truth. Two things are beyond dispute: God is Sovereign, man is responsible. In this book we have sought to expound the former; in our other works we have frequently pressed the latter. That there is real danger of over-emphasising the one and ignoring the other, we readily admit; yea, history furnishes numerous examples of cases of each. To emphasise …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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