Joash

Joash (Jehoash), son of Ahaziah, became king of Judah at age seven and reigned for forty years.

Joash, also known as Jehoash, was the king of Judah and the son of Ahaziah. He became king at the age of seven, after being hidden by his aunt Jehosheba for six years following the usurpation of the throne by Athaliah (2Ki 11:2; 2Ch 22:11). During his forty-year reign (2Ki 12:1; 2Ch 24:1), Joash initiated repairs to the temple of the Lord, which had fallen into disrepair (2Ki 12:4-7; 2Ch 24:4).

However, after the death of his mentor, Jehoiada the priest, Joash turned away from the Lord and allowed the worship of idols (2Ch 24:17-18). When Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, prophesied against this wickedness, Joash ordered his execution (2Ch 24:20-22).

Consequently, Judah faced military defeats and Joash was wounded (2Ch 24:23-24). He was eventually assassinated by his own servants and succeeded by his son Amaziah (2Ki 12:20-21; 2Ch 24:25-27). Joash's reign was marked by both early reforms and later apostasy, highlighting the importance of godly leadership and the consequences of turning away from the Lord.

The son of King Ahaziah. While yet an infant, he was saved from the general massacre of the family by his aunt Jehosheba, and was apparently the only surviving descendant of Solomon (2 Chr. 21:4, 17). His uncle, the high priest Jehoiada, brought him forth to public notice when he was eight years of age, and crowned and anointed him king of Judah with the usual ceremonies. Athaliah was taken by surprise when she heard the shout of the people, “Long live the king;” and when she appeared in the temple, Jehoiada commanded her to be led forth to death (2 Kings 11:13-20). While the high priest lived, Jehoash favoured the worship of God and observed the law; but on his death he fell away into evil courses, and the land was defiled with idolatry. Zechariah, the son and successor of the high priest, was put to death. These evil deeds brought down on the land the judgement of God, and it was oppressed by the Syrian invaders. He is one of the three kings omitted by Matthew (1:8) in the genealogy of Christ, the other two being Ahaziah and Amaziah. He was buried in the city of David (2 Kings 12:21).