When a child is brought up under firm guidance, whether by parents or by a guardian, we may wonder: What will happen when the guiding hand has gone and the child, now an adult, must make his own decisions?

“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest” (2 Chronicles 24:2). For most of his long reign, Joash is a model king. Jehoiada chooses two wives for him, likely women who will not be a corrupting influence, as Athaliah was for Jehoram.

Joash sets about undoing Athaliah’s harmful legacy. The Lord’s temple has fallen into disrepair as a result of the active neglect of Athaliah and her sons (v. 7), and the priests and Levites have not been collecting contributions towards its upkeep (vv. 4–5; see Exodus 30:12–16; 38:25–26). Perhaps they had become discouraged during Athaliah’s reign. Joash now takes the lead: he prods Jehoiada into taking action when the Levites seem reluctant to act (2 Chronicles 24:6).

A collection box is placed outside the temple, into which the people gladly drop their offerings. Much money is collected and spent on restoring the temple (vv. 8–11). The work is completed, and those in charge return the surplus, which goes into making gold and silver objects for use in worship. Joash and Jehoiada work together in carrying out these measures (vv. 12, 14).

While Jehoiada lives, daily sacrifices are offered in the temple. When Jehoiada comes to the end of a long life, he is buried with Judah’s kings—a fitting honour for a man whose actions have helped to preserve David’s line and restore the right worship of God in Judah (vv. 15–16). But once Jehoiada dies, Joash is led astray by officials who flatter him for their own ends. Apparently they prefer things the way they were under Athaliah. Pretty soon, the temple is abandoned and worship is once more offered to Asherah poles and idols (vv. 17–18).

God sends prophets to call the people back; Jehoiada’s son Zechariah warns of the dangers of forsaking God (vv. 19–20). But Joash no longer wants to hear this message. He owes his life to Jehoiada, but now gives the order for his son’s murder. As he calls on God to avenge him, Zechariah is stoned to death in the temple court (vv. 21–22).

Vengeances comes swiftly (vv. 23–25): an Aramean army invades Judah, enters Jerusalem and kills “all the leaders of the people”, taking much plunder. The force is small, but God enables them to defeat the much larger army of Judah. This is a reversal of what has happened in earlier battles (see 14:9–14)—a clear judgment on Joash and Judah. Joash, like Ahab and Joram of Israel, is wounded by the Arameans. His officials kill him in his bed, avenging Zechariah’s death. He is denied burial in the royal tombs, because of his unfaithfulness during his final years.

See also 2 Kings 12.