Background:
Joash, also known as Jehoash, was the king of Judah who reigned from approximately 835 to 796 BC. He ascended to the throne at the tender age of seven after being saved from the massacre of the royal family by his aunt Jehosheba and raised in the temple by the high priest Jehoiada (2 Kings 11:2-3). Joash's early reign was marked by a commitment to restoring the temple and religious reforms, largely influenced by Jehoiada (2 Kings 12:2).

Turning Away from God:
After the death of Jehoiada, Joash's faithfulness to God waned. He began to listen to the officials of Judah, who led him astray into idolatry and the worship of Asherah poles and other pagan practices (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). This apostasy provoked the anger of the LORD, who sent prophets to bring Joash and the people back to Him, but they would not listen (2 Chronicles 24:19).

Zechariah's Martyrdom:
One of the most significant events marking Joash's departure from God was the murder of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada. Filled with the Spirit of God, Zechariah stood before the people and rebuked them for their transgressions, saying, "Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you" (2 Chronicles 24:20). In response, Joash ordered Zechariah to be stoned to death in the temple court, an act of profound ingratitude and betrayal against the family that had saved and supported him (2 Chronicles 24:21-22).

Divine Judgment:
The murder of Zechariah marked a turning point, leading to divine judgment upon Joash. The LORD allowed the Aramean army to invade Judah and Jerusalem, despite their smaller numbers. They destroyed the leaders of the people and sent all the plunder to the king of Damascus (2 Chronicles 24:23-24). This defeat was a direct consequence of Joash's abandonment of the LORD, as the text states, "The LORD delivered a very great army into their hands because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers" (2 Chronicles 24:24).

Assassination and Death:
Wounded in the battle against the Arameans, Joash faced further retribution from within his own ranks. His servants conspired against him and assassinated him on his bed, avenging the blood of Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:25-26). Joash was buried in the City of David, but notably, not in the tombs of the kings, signifying his fall from grace and the dishonor that marked the end of his reign (2 Chronicles 24:25).

Legacy:
Joash's reign serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of turning away from God and the consequences of ingratitude and betrayal. His initial reforms and dedication to the temple were overshadowed by his later apostasy and the resulting divine judgment. The account of Joash underscores the importance of steadfast faith and the perils of forsaking the LORD, as well as the enduring impact of righteous mentorship, as seen in the influence of Jehoiada.