In the days when the kingdom of Judah was still young and the memory of King Solomon’s glory lingered like a fading echo, there arose a boy king named Joash. He was but seven years old when he ascended the throne, a child thrust into the weight of kingship by the courage of his aunt Jehosheba and the priest Jehoiada, who had hidden him from the wicked Queen Athaliah’s murderous rampage. For six years, Joash was sheltered in the house of the Lord, raised under the watchful eye of Jehoiada, who taught him the ways of righteousness and the fear of the Lord.
When Joash was crowned, the land of Judah was in disarray. The temple of the Lord, once a beacon of divine presence and a symbol of Israel’s covenant with God, lay in ruins. The doors were broken, the walls crumbling, and the sacred vessels had been plundered by Athaliah and her sons, who had turned the house of God into a den of idolatry. Joash, now a young man, was stirred in his heart to restore the temple. He summoned Jehoiada and the priests and said, “Why have you not repaired the house of the Lord? Take no more money from your treasurers, but hand it over for repairing the temple.”
Jehoiada, now aged but still zealous for the Lord, agreed. He took a chest and bored a hole in its lid, placing it beside the altar on the right side as one entered the house of the Lord. The priests who guarded the threshold put into the chest all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord. Whenever the chest grew full, the king’s secretary and the high priest would come, count the money, and bind it in bags. They gave it to the workmen who were overseeing the restoration of the temple—carpenters, builders, masons, and craftsmen who labored with skill and dedication.
The work progressed steadily. The broken stones were replaced, the walls were reinforced, and the sacred vessels were remade according to the pattern of the old ones. The temple began to rise again, its glory slowly returning as the people of Judah brought their offerings willingly and joyfully. The sound of hammers and chisels echoed through the courts, mingling with the prayers and praises of the priests. It was a time of renewal, a season of hope, as the people turned their hearts back to the Lord.
But when Jehoiada died at the ripe old age of 130, the spirit of the kingdom shifted. The elders of Judah came to Joash and flattered him, appealing to his pride and ambition. They said, “The yoke of the priest was heavy upon us. Now that he is gone, let us worship as we please.” Joash, who had once walked in the ways of the Lord under Jehoiada’s guidance, began to listen to their counsel. He abandoned the God of his fathers and turned to the worship of Asherah poles and idols. The people followed their king, and once again, the land was filled with corruption and sin.
The Lord, in His mercy, sent prophets to warn Joash and the people, calling them to repentance. But they would not listen. Among these prophets was Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who stood in the temple courts and cried out, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has forsaken you.’”
But Joash, hardened in his heart, did not remember the kindness Jehoiada had shown him. Instead, he conspired with his officials to silence Zechariah. They stoned him to death in the courtyard of the house of the Lord, and as Zechariah lay dying, he gasped, “May the Lord see and avenge!” His blood stained the stones of the temple, a grim reminder of the king’s betrayal.
The Lord’s judgment was swift. Within a year, the army of Aram marched against Judah. Though their forces were small, the Lord delivered Joash and his army into their hands, for He had abandoned the king who had abandoned Him. The Arameans plundered the cities of Judah, taking much spoil and sending it to their king in Damascus. Joash himself was severely wounded in the battle. As he lay in his bed, recovering from his injuries, his own servants conspired against him, avenging the blood of Zechariah. They struck him down, and he died in disgrace.
Joash was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings, for he had turned away from the Lord. His reign, which had begun with such promise, ended in tragedy and judgment. The people of Judah mourned not for Joash, but for the loss of the godly influence of Jehoiada and the righteous legacy that had been squandered.
Thus, the story of Joash serves as a sobering reminder: the blessings of God are not to be taken lightly, and the consequences of forsaking Him are severe. Yet even in judgment, the Lord’s mercy is evident, for He sent prophets to call His people back, and His covenant promises remained steadfast, awaiting a future king who would reign in righteousness and restore the hearts of the people to their God.
