Introduction:
Jehoash, also known as Joash, was the twelfth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Jehoash was the son of Jehoahaz and the grandson of Jehu, continuing the dynasty that Jehu established. His reign is marked by both military conflict and religious challenges.

Biblical Account:
Jehoash's reign is primarily documented in 2 Kings 13:10-25. He ascended to the throne in the thirty-seventh year of Joash, king of Judah, and reigned for sixteen years in Samaria. The Berean Standard Bible states, "In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria sixteen years" (2 Kings 13:10).

Religious Context:
Jehoash continued in the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who led Israel into idolatry. The BSB notes, "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit" (2 Kings 13:11). Despite his failure to lead Israel back to the worship of Yahweh, Jehoash's reign was marked by a significant prophetic interaction with Elisha.

Interaction with Elisha:
One of the most notable events during Jehoash's reign was his visit to the prophet Elisha on the latter's deathbed. Elisha instructed Jehoash to shoot an arrow out of the window, symbolizing victory over Aram. He then told Jehoash to strike the ground with arrows, which Jehoash did three times. Elisha was displeased, indicating that Jehoash would only defeat Aram three times instead of completely destroying them (2 Kings 13:14-19).

Military Achievements:
Jehoash's reign was characterized by military conflict, particularly with the Arameans. The BSB records that Jehoash was able to reclaim cities that had been taken by the Arameans during his father's reign. "Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that had been taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Three times Jehoash defeated him, and so he recovered the cities of Israel" (2 Kings 13:25).

Conflict with Judah:
Jehoash also engaged in conflict with Amaziah, king of Judah. The confrontation culminated in a battle at Beth-shemesh, where Jehoash defeated Amaziah. He then proceeded to break down a section of the wall of Jerusalem and plundered the temple and the king's palace (2 Kings 14:8-14).

Legacy:
Jehoash's reign is a reflection of the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God and the allure of idolatry that plagued the northern kingdom. His military successes were overshadowed by his failure to lead Israel back to the covenant faith. Jehoash was succeeded by his son Jeroboam II, who continued the dynasty of Jehu.

Conclusion:
Jehoash's reign is a testament to the complexities of leadership in a time of spiritual and political turmoil. His interactions with Elisha and his military campaigns highlight the tension between divine promise and human action in the history of Israel.