Joash, also known as Jehoash, was the son of King Ahaziah of Judah and became king at a young age following the tumultuous period of his grandmother Athaliah's usurpation of the throne. His reign is noted for both its initial promise and its tragic decline, as recorded in the biblical narrative.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Joash's early life was marked by danger and divine providence. After the death of his father, Ahaziah, his grandmother Athaliah sought to exterminate the royal line of David. However, Joash was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba and hidden in the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:2-3). At the age of seven, Joash was anointed king in a coup led by the high priest Jehoiada, who played a significant role in his early reign (2 Kings 11:12).

Religious Reforms and Temple Restoration

Under the guidance of Jehoiada, Joash initiated significant religious reforms and undertook the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair during Athaliah's reign (2 Kings 12:4-15). This period of reform was marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh and the removal of Baal worship, aligning with the covenantal faithfulness expected of the Davidic kings.

The Prophecy Against Joash

Despite his promising start, Joash's reign took a negative turn after the death of Jehoiada. Influenced by the officials of Judah, Joash abandoned the house of the LORD and turned to idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). This apostasy provoked the LORD's anger, leading to prophetic warnings against him.

The most notable prophecy against Joash came from Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada. Filled with the Spirit of God, Zechariah stood before the people and declared, "This is what God says: ‘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). This bold proclamation highlighted the covenantal consequences of Joash's unfaithfulness.

Tragically, Joash responded to this divine warning with violence, ordering the stoning of Zechariah in the temple courts (2 Chronicles 24:21). This act of betrayal against the son of his mentor Jehoiada marked a point of no return for Joash, sealing his fate.

Downfall and Legacy

The prophecy against Joash was fulfilled as his reign ended in turmoil. The LORD allowed the Arameans to invade Judah, and Joash was severely wounded in the conflict (2 Chronicles 24:23-24). His own servants conspired against him, and he was assassinated on his bed (2 Chronicles 24:25).

Joash's legacy is a cautionary tale of the dangers of forsaking the LORD and the importance of heeding prophetic warnings. His initial reforms and temple restoration were overshadowed by his later apostasy and the resulting divine judgment. The story of Joash serves as a reminder of the need for steadfast faithfulness to God's commandments and the peril of turning away from His covenant.2 Chronicles 24:19,20
Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
Nave's Topical Index

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... Ahaziah was only twenty-two, and was ruled by his ... After his death, however, Joash
fell away grievously, and promoted ... worship; nay, he even slew the son of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... Jehoram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel the queen ... When she saw that her
son, the king of Judah ... were destroyed, save one, a babe named Joash, whom the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... after another, to Jehu, and at length to go out with king Ahaziah to meet ... God had
saved the Israelites by the hand of Jeroboam, the son of Joash," 2 Kings 14 ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... Ahaziah, his son, soon died of a fall from the ... Joash, his son, was a mighty king,
and would have ... Jeroboam II., his son, was likewise prosperous; but neither ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king of Israel ... Compare Jeremiah 31:20:
"Is Ephraim a dear son to Me ... well do so for the murder of Ahaziah, king of Judah ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Questions.
... 19. Which son of Jacob was to be father of the promised Seed? 20. ... 12. What became
of Ahaziah? 13. ... 17. How did Joash disobey Elisha?"2 Kings, xiii.19. 18. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... [2053] Not of her brother, but of her son Ahaziah, all of whom she slew except Joash. ...
[2055] By a strange mistake Hosea king of Israel is reckoned among the ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... Rehoboam, Abia, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah ... Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah,
Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon ... a conquering Messiah, a Son of David ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

When is civil disobedience allowed for a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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