2 Chronicles 24: Repaired Then Ruined
Guided by Jehoiada, Joash restores the temple, but after the old priest dies he abandons God, murders Jehoiada's son, and dies in disgrace.
2 Chronicles 24 (WEB)
1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Zibiah, of Beersheba.
2 Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3 Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he became the father of sons and daughters.
4 After this, Joash intended to restore Yahweh’s house.
5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather money to repair the house of your God from all Israel from year to year. See that you expedite this matter.” However the Levites didn’t do it right away.
6 The king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, “Why haven’t you required of the Levites to bring in the tax of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the assembly of Israel, out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, for the tent of the testimony?”
7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up God’s house; and they also gave all the dedicated things of Yahweh’s house to the Baals.
8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of Yahweh’s house.
9 They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness.
10 All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11 It was so, that whenever the chest was brought to the king’s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the chief priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of Yahweh’s house; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore Yahweh’s house, and also such as worked iron and brass to repair Yahweh’s house.
13 So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up God’s house in its state, and strengthened it.
14 When they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, of which were made vessels for Yahweh’s house, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in Yahweh’s house continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; one hundred thirty years old was he when he died.
16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house.
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them.
18 They abandoned the house of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and the idols; and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.
19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.’”
21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of Yahweh’s house.
22 Thus Joash the king didn’t remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, “May Yahweh look at it, and repay it.”
23 At the end of the year, the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus.
24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash.
25 When they were departed for him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn’t bury him in the tombs of the kings.
26 These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.
27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of God’s house, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.
2 Chronicles 24 (KJV)
1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Zibiah of Beer–sheba.
2 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord.
5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim.
8 And at the king’s commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord.
9 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord.
13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15 But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18 And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.
21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.
22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.
23 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.
24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the Lord delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
25 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
26 And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.
27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 24 (ASV)
1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Zibiah, of Beer-sheba.
2 And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3 And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Jehovah.
5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year; and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Jehovah, and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony?
7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of Jehovah did they bestow upon the Baalim.
8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of Jehovah.
9 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Jehovah the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11 And it was so, that, at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the chief priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Jehovah; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Jehovah, and also such as wrought iron and brass to repair the house of Jehovah.
13 So the workmen wrought, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it.
14 And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of Jehovah, even vessels wherewith to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15 But Jehoiada waxed old and was full of days, and he died; a hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house.
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18 And they forsook the house of Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.
19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto Jehovah; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of Jehovah, so that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken Jehovah, he hath also forsaken you.
21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Jehovah.
22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, Jehovah look upon it, and require it.
23 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.
24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Jehovah delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash.
25 And when they were departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
26 And these are they that conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.
27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
Summary
Joash does what is right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. Setting his heart to restore the temple, he organizes a collection, setting a chest at the temple gate, and the people rejoice to give until there is money in abundance. With it the workers hire masons and carpenters, repair and strengthen the house of God, and even fashion vessels for ongoing worship, offering burnt offerings continually all the days of Jehoiada. But then Jehoiada dies, full of days and honored among the kings, and everything changes. The princes of Judah flatter Joash, and he listens to them; together they abandon the house of the LORD and serve the Asherah poles and idols, so that wrath comes upon Judah. God sends prophets to call them back, but they will not listen. When the Spirit of God comes upon Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, to rebuke the people, Joash conspires against him and has him stoned in the temple court, forgetting all the kindness Jehoiada had shown him. The dying Zechariah cries, “May Yahweh look at it, and repay it.” Within a year a small Syrian army defeats Judah's great host because they had forsaken the LORD, and Joash is left badly wounded. His own servants then kill him on his bed to avenge Jehoiada's son, and he is buried apart from the kings. The chapter is a searching warning about borrowed faith that does not last and the tragedy of finishing poorly.
Main Characters
- Joash — The king who repairs the temple under Jehoiada's guidance but abandons the LORD after the priest dies, even murdering his benefactor's son.
- Jehoiada the priest — Joash's faithful guardian and counselor, whose godly influence sustains the king's good years and whose death exposes the king's true heart.
- Zechariah son of Jehoiada — The Spirit-filled prophet who rebukes Judah's idolatry and is stoned in the temple court at the king's command.
Key Verse
2 Chronicles 24:2 (WEB)
Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
Lessons Learned
- Faith that merely leans on a godly mentor may collapse when that influence is gone.
- Joyful, generous giving can advance the work of restoring God's house.
- Flattering counsel can quickly turn a heart that once seemed devoted.
- Forgetting past kindness and rejecting God's word leads to a tragic, disgraced end.
- Borrowed devotion may not endure. Joash did right “all the days of Jehoiada the priest” (2 Chronicles 24:2, WEB), but his faith faltered once that influence was removed.
- God's people give joyfully to his work. “All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest” (2 Chronicles 24:10, WEB) to repair the LORD's house.
- Listening to flattery leads us astray. After Jehoiada died the princes flattered the king, “Then the king listened to them” (2 Chronicles 24:17, WEB), and Judah abandoned the LORD.
- Forsaking God brings forsaking. Zechariah warned, “Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you” (2 Chronicles 24:20, WEB), and judgment soon followed.
- What good does Joash accomplish, and what role does Jehoiada play in his faithful years?
- Why is the phrase “all the days of Jehoiada” so important to understanding Joash's story?
- How does Joash respond to Zechariah's rebuke, and what does that reveal about his heart?
- What does Joash's tragic end teach about the danger of finishing poorly?
- Whose godly influence has shaped your faith, and how can you keep walking with God even without them?
- Joash sets his heart to restore the temple, organizes the joyful collection, and rebuilds and re-equips the house of God (24:4-14), all while Jehoiada guides him. The priest's wisdom and faith undergird the king's good years, raising the question of whose faith it truly was.
- That phrase signals that Joash's faithfulness was tied to Jehoiada's presence, not rooted in his own heart (24:2). When the mentor died, the devotion died with him. It warns us to make our walk with God genuinely our own, not merely propped up by others.
- Rather than repent, Joash conspires to have the prophet, his benefactor's own son, stoned in the temple court (24:21-22). His hardened, ungrateful heart is fully exposed. Rejecting God's word and forgetting kindness reveal how far he had fallen.
- Joash began so well yet ended forsaken by God, defeated, wounded, murdered by his servants, and buried apart from the kings (24:23-25). A strong start guarantees nothing; we must keep trusting God to the end. Let the group feel the sober weight of finishing the race faithfully.
- This is a personal-application question. Encourage members to thank God for those who have shaped their faith, while honestly asking whether their devotion is truly their own. Gently urge them to root their walk in God himself, so it endures when human supports are gone.