King
Joash of Judah
8th King of Judah
835–796 BC
Biography
Joash was hidden as an infant from the murderous Athaliah and raised in the Temple by the high priest Jehoiada for six years. Crowned at age seven in a dramatic coup, he began his reign under Jehoiada's mentorship and showed great promise — most notably organizing the repair and restoration of the Temple which had fallen into disrepair. However, after Jehoiada died at the remarkable age of 130, the officials of Judah seduced Joash into abandoning the Temple and returning to Asherah poles and idols. When Zechariah son of Jehoiada prophesied against this apostasy, Joash ordered him stoned to death in the Temple court — a shocking act of ingratitude toward the very family that had saved his life. He was subsequently defeated by a tiny Syrian force (God's judgment), severely wounded, and assassinated by his own servants in his bed.
Key Events
- 1Hidden from Athaliah2 Kings 11:2-3 →
Jehosheba hid infant Joash in the Temple for six years while Athaliah ruled Judah
- 2Crowned king at age seven2 Kings 11:12 →
Jehoiada the priest orchestrated the coup, anointed Joash, and the people shouted 'Long live the king!'
- 3Temple repair2 Kings 12:4-16 →
Joash organized a collection and repaired the Temple which had been neglected and damaged
- 4Murder of Zechariah2 Chronicles 24:21-22 →
Ordered Zechariah son of Jehoiada stoned in the Temple court; Zechariah's last words were 'May the LORD see and avenge!'
- 5Syrian defeat2 Chronicles 24:24 →
A small Syrian force defeated Judah's large army as divine judgment; Joash was severely wounded
- 6Assassinated2 Chronicles 24:25 →
His servants conspired and killed him in his bed to avenge the blood of Zechariah
Key Verses
“Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”
Spiritual Significance
Joash illustrates that a faith dependent entirely on human mentorship is fragile. His reign is a cautionary tale about the difference between inherited religion and personal conviction — and about the ultimate ingratitude of abandoning those who sacrificed for you.
Character Profile
- Strengths
- Receptive to good mentorship, organized the Temple repair, decisive in the coup
- Weaknesses
- Spiritually dependent on others, susceptibility to peer pressure from officials, ingratitude, murder of his benefactor's son
- Lessons
- Spiritual faithfulness must be deeply personal, not merely dependent on a mentor or institution. Joash's great works lasted only as long as Jehoiada lived. True faith must survive the loss of its human supports.