One day, we will all marvel when we finally recognize how good and faithful God has been in our lives. Nowhere is this more evident in Scripture than in the early life of Joash, the eighth king of Judah.
During his 40-year reign as king, Joash did many wonderful things to return his people’s hearts to the God of his ancestor, David. However, the incredible events in Joash’s early life provide the clearest testimony of how God can turn what others mean for evil into something for His glory and our benefit.
Where Do We Learn about Joash in the Bible?
Joash’s story appears in 2 Kings 11-12, with portions repeated in 2 Chronicles 22-23. Joash, also called Jehoash, became king over the southern kingdom of Judah in 835 BC. While he ruled for decades in Jerusalem, his morals were mixed.
Following his righteous advisors, his reign began well. He tore down Baal altars and led the effort to restore Jerusalem’s temple to its former glory. Sadly, Joash abandoned God in later years, letting idolatry return to the land and even killing prophets who rebuked him.
However, what is most remarkable about Joash’s story is not necessarily his tenure as king but the circumstances surrounding his ascension to the throne.
How Did Joash Survive Being Killed?
In 841 BC, Joash’s 22-year-old father, Ahaziah (also called Jehoahaz and Azariah), became the sixth king of Judah (2 Kings 8:26; 2 Chronicles 22:1).
Like his father Jehoram and grandfather Ahab (2 Kings 8:27), Ahaziah did evil in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 8:27). He was heavily influenced by his mother Athaliah, who persuaded him to continue her family's idolatry—her mother was Jezebel, and her father was Ahab.
However, Ahaziah’s reign was cut short. After only a year on the throne, Ahaziah was killed by Jehu—an army captain God had ordered to exterminate the house of Ahab.
The throne of Judah would have traditionally passed to Ahaziah’s heir, his oldest son. Following Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah decided to claim control for herself. She put her grandsons to the sword to ensure no heir could challenge her (2 Kings 11:1-3).
Only Joash survived, protected by God through his aunt Jehosheba and her husband Jehoiada, who hid Joash in the house of the Lord (2 Kings 11:2-3).
When Did Joash Become King?
The Bible tells us that when Joash turned seven, Jehoiada gathered the captains of Judah’s army and revealed Joash as the surviving heir of the house of David.
Jehoiada and the captains of Judah coronated Joash by bringing him to the temple, putting the crown on his head, anointing him as king, and proclaiming, “Long live the king!” (2 Kings 11:4-12).
When Athaliah heard about her surviving grandson, she raced to the temple and declared that Jehoiada and the other conspirators were traitors. However, Athaliah’s power was broken now that David’s heir was revealed to the people and the army supported him. Jehoiada removed Athaliah from the temple and had her put to death (2 Kings 11:13-17).
The Bible tells us that Joash then reigned for 40 years and “did right in the sight of the Lord all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (2 Kings 12:2). While he removed much of the idolatry in his kingdom, the high places of false worship remained (2 Kings 12:3).
After Jehoiada died, Joash faltered, allowing idolatry. He even had the prophet Zechariah, Jehoida’s son, stoned to death for rebuking his disobedience (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). Zechariah warned him, “Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has also forsaken you.” (2 Chronicles 24:20).
The prophet’s words proved true. God allowed a Syrian invasion that gravely wounded Joash (2 Chronicles 24:23-24). Joash was later murdered by his servants (2 Kings 12:19-21). His son Amaziah succeeded him (2 Kings 14:1-2).
What Happened to Joash’s Descendants?
Like his father, Amaziah was an inconsistent king. The Bible tells us, “He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father; he did according to all that Joash his father had done.” (2 Kings 14:3)
Not only did the high places remain, but Amaziah also embraced the gods of Edom (2 Chronicles 25:14), broke faith with paid mercenaries from Israel who were keeping his country safe (2 Chronicles 25:6-10), and attacked the northern kingdom after a victory over the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:20). Israel swiftly defeated Amaziah. His enemies assassinated him when he fled to Lachish (2 Chronicles 25:25-28).
Joash’s grandson Uzziah and great-grandson Jotham were much better—generally considered wise, savvy kings. However, except for Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah, the rest of Joash’s descendants were failures. Their disobedience eventually led to Babylon destroying Jerusalem and taking people into exile in 586 BC.
What Can We Learn from the Story of Joash?
Joash’s history offers many lessons on leadership and the consequences of disobedience. However, many valuable insights for God’s people extend beyond the halls of political power. For example:
1. God’s Hand is in Politics
Politician Jon Wallner once said, “Politicians and diapers must be changed often and for the same reason.” Many of us can understand that sentiment. We use words like “messy,” “divisive,” and “poisonous” to describe the endless campaigning, lies or empty promises, and corruption we see in our leaders. Yet, no matter how evil our earthly rulers may be, we must remember that God is not removed from earthly politics. The Bible tells us that “He rules over the nations” (Psalms 22:28b) and “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1; emphasis added). Though His kingdom is not of this earth, God does care about what happens in the halls of government. Joash’s story reminds us that God is sovereign and involved in the affairs of kings and nations.
2. God is True to His Promises
In David’s time, God famously promised the shepherd king that “your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:11-15). Many recognize that Jesus Christ, the Messiah and descendent of David, offered the ultimate fulfillment of this promise (see Luke 1:30-33; Acts 2:25-32; 13:23; Revelation 22:16). Over the years, Athaliah and many others attempted to thwart God’s sovereign plan and eradicate the line of David. Despite her best efforts, the gates of hell didn’t prevail. God kept his preserve the line of David through the courage of Jehoiada and Jehosheba. The house of God would also become a refuge for the innocent in the nation’s darkest hours. God is true to His promises. He uses ordinary people’s courage and faithfulness to fulfill His plans, and God opens the doors of His house to guide, shield, and equip the innocent. No matter how hard darkness works to undermine God’s plans, God will prevail and not fail.
3. Godly Leaders Need Godly Advisors
Joash’s early years as a king were good. Unfortunately, they only lasted as long as he had good mentoring: “Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest” (2 Chronicles 24:2; emphasis added). Not only had Jehoiada and his wife rescued Joash from Athalia. They also raised him in the house of the Lord and established him on his throne. After Joash became king, Jehoiada remained a key advisor (2 Kings 12:2; 2 Chronicles 24). Jehoida was even buried among the kings in the city of David “because he had done well in Israel and to God and His house” (2 Chronicles 24:16).
Unfortunately, corrupt advisors filled the void left by Jehoiada’s death, and Joash took the country off course (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). Even the most godly leaders need godly advisors. This is true for kings, pastors, fathers, and any other form of spiritual leadership. “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in the abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 11:14).
4. Sin Causes us to Forget God’s Goodness
Despite God working in His life, Joash forgot God’s goodness and faithfulness. God was graceful enough to send prophets to warn Joash, but he refused to listen (2 Chronicles 24:19). When Joash has Zechariah killed, 2 Chronicles highlights that “Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Jehoiada had shown him” (2 Chronicles 24:22). As Zechariah died, he cried out, “May the Lord see and avenge!” (2 Chronicles 24:22)
Spiritual leaders are the righteous voice and conscience of the people they are called to lead. They cannot afford to be silent, even in the face of persecution. However, the truth will always be offensive to those with hardened hearts. In Joash’s case, his heart became so hardened that he even became blinded to the memory of people who had saved his life.
From the beginning, God’s hand was on Joash’s life. Yet even the righteous fall when they forget God. However, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalms 33:12), and blessed is a kingdom established in righteousness (Proverbs 16:12).
Photo Credit: public domain, painting by Francesco Hayez, via Wikimedia Commons.
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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