King Joash
2 Chronicles 24

Joash Repairs the Temple

2 Chronicles 24:1-16

• The Chronicler shows two sides to Joash - his reform and his subsequent apostasy. The parallel account in Kings (2 Kings 12) only shows Joash in a good light.
• Joash was seven when he became king and reigned for 40 years. (v. 1)
• Joash did what was pleasing to the Lord as long as his mentor, Jehoiada the priest, was alive. (v. 2)
• Joash decided to restore the Temple of the Lord. (v. 4)
• Joash summoned the Levites and instructed them to collect taxes, but they didn't go right away. (v. 5)
• 2 Kings 12:4-8 implies that the Levites were not being honest with the money received. Perhaps Athaliah's wickedness corrupted the Levites.
• See Exodus 30:11-16 for the origin of the "tax levied by Moses."
• Joash questions Jehoiada about why the Levites didn't collect the taxes. (v. 6)
• Over the years, followers of wicked Athaliah had desecrated the Temple. (v. 7)
• Joash instructed that a chest be put in front of the Temple and used to collect taxes when people come to the Temple. (v. 8-9)
• The people gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it. (v. 10)
• Whenever the chest became full, the money was taken to the king's officials where the money was counted. The empty chest was brought back to the Temple. (v. 11)
• This is the first time that the requirement for upkeep of the Temple is shifted from the king to the people. Perhaps Joash's resources were not great enough to pay for the repairs and upkeep. Note that the money was given freely as an appropriate response to God's blessing. The people are a righteous people at this time and they recognize that obedience and financial stewardship is the appropriate response.
• The money collected was used to hire workers for the Temple. (v. 12)
• After the Temple was repaired, the remaining money was used to recreate the Temple utensils. (v. 13-14)
• Sacrifices continued as long as Jehoiada was alive. (v. 14)
• When Jehoiada died (at 130), he was buried among the kings in the City of David, because he had done so much good in Israel for God and his Temple. This is a great honor, as it is treatment that is normally reserved for kings. (v. 15-16)

Jehoiada's Reforms Reversed

2 Chronicles 24:17-22

• Things were good while Jehoiada was alive, but after he died, things got bad quick. (v. 17-19)
• The leaders of Judah persuaded Joash to listen to their ungodly advice. (v. 17)
• They abandoned the Temple and worshiped the Ashera poles and idols instead. (v. 18)
• The Lord sent prophets to warn the people and bring them back, but the people wouldn't listen. (v. 19)
• The Holy Spirit empowered Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, to warn the people of their sins. (v. 20)
• The Holy Spirit warned the people of Judah of their sin and told them that they cannot disobey God and prosper. He convicts and convinces of sin today, as well. Pay close attention to His warnings.
• The leaders of Judah and Joash plotted to kill Zechariah. (v. 21)
• Even Jesus commented on the murder of Zechariah. See Luke 11: 49-51.
• Zechariah's last words were to ask the Lord to hold the people accountable for their sin. (v. 22)
• Zechariah's last words have been compared unfavorably with the last words of Christ, Stephen, etc. but there is no intent that these words are to be a mark against Zechariah. Instead, they are words that announce the fate of Joash.

The End of Joash's Reign

2 Chronicles 24:23-27

• The Aramean army attacked Judah and was victorious, even though Joash's army was much larger. (v. 23-24)
• This defeat was a result of the people abandoning the Lord. (v. 24)
• Joash was severely wounded by the Arameans and assassinated by his own officials. (v.25)
• Joash was buried in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery. (v. 25)
• Joash's son Amaziah became king after Joash.
• I think it's difficult to decide whether Joash was a good king or a bad king. Because he led a small revival in Judah, I think it is safe to say that he was, for the most part, a good king. But it is important to note his apostasy and disgraceful death at the end of his reign.