2 Chronicles 24

This chapter recounts the reign of Joash, who becomes king at a young age and is guided by Jehoiada the priest. Joash initiates repairs to the temple, showing his commitment to restoring proper worship. However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash falls under the influence of corrupt leaders, leading him to forsake God. This results in tragic consequences, including the murder of Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, and ultimately Joash’s assassination. The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfast faith and good counsel.

2 Chronicles 24:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
2 Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3 And Jehoiada took two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.
4 Now it happened after this that Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the Lord.
5 Then he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you do it quickly.” However the Levites did not do it quickly.

Joash begins his reign at a young age, under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest, who ensures Joash follows the ways of God. His long reign of forty years begins well, marked by his righteous actions while Jehoiada was alive. Joash focuses on repairing the temple, demonstrating his commitment to worship and service to God. He instructs the Levites to collect funds for this project, but they are slow in carrying out this task, indicating some initial difficulties in organizing the repairs.

2 Chronicles 24:6-9 (NKJV)
6 So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord and of the assembly of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?”
7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God, and had also presented all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord to the Baals.
8 Then at the king’s command they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of the Lord.
9 And they made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring to the Lord the collection that Moses the servant of God had imposed on Israel in the wilderness.

Joash questions Jehoiada on why the Levites haven't collected the funds. He references the sons of Athaliah, who had previously defiled the temple and taken its treasures to pagan gods. To ensure the restoration work progresses, Joash commands the construction of a chest for contributions, placed at the temple gate. A proclamation is made throughout Judah, urging the people to bring offerings, just as Moses had instructed in the wilderness, to support the repairs of the temple.

2 Chronicles 24:10-14 (NKJV)
10 Then all the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought their contributions, and put them into the chest until all had given.
11 So it was, at that time, when the chest was brought to the king’s official by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, that the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it and returned it to its place. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the Lord; and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also those who worked in iron and bronze to restore the house of the Lord.
13 So the workmen labored, and the work was completed by them; they restored the house of God to its original condition and reinforced it.
14 When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; they made from it articles for the house of the Lord, articles for serving and offering, spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.

The leaders and people respond joyfully, bringing their contributions to fill the chest. The process of collecting the funds becomes a daily occurrence, ensuring a steady flow of money. Joash and Jehoiada then allocate these funds to workers, including masons, carpenters, and metalworkers, to restore the temple. The repairs are successful, restoring the temple to its original glory. With the remaining funds, new articles of worship are created, and offerings continue to be made, reflecting the renewed focus on worship during Jehoiada's lifetime.

2 Chronicles 24:15-16 (NKJV)
15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old 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 His house.

Jehoiada, who had been a guiding influence on Joash, lived a long and faithful life, dying at the age of 130. His service to God and his role in restoring proper worship earned him a place of honor, as he was buried among the kings. His contributions were recognized not only in his spiritual guidance but also in his practical efforts to rebuild the temple and renew religious practices in Israel.

2 Chronicles 24:17-19 (NKJV)
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them.
18 Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.
19 Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.

After Jehoiada's death, Joash falls under the influence of corrupt leaders who persuade him to abandon the worship of God. As a result, the people turn to idolatry, forsaking the temple and following pagan practices. This shift in loyalty brings God's anger upon Judah and Jerusalem. Despite the people's rebellion, God sends prophets to call them back to Him, but their warnings go unheeded, showing the people's hardened hearts.

2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’”
21 So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord.
22 Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!”

God's Spirit moves Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, to confront the people about their disobedience. He warns them that their forsaking of God's commandments will lead to their downfall. Instead of heeding the message, Joash and the leaders conspire against Zechariah, stoning him to death in the temple court. This act reveals Joash's ingratitude toward Jehoiada, who had saved his life and guided his reign. Zechariah's dying words call for divine justice for the crime committed against him.

2 Chronicles 24:23-24 (NKJV)
23 So it happened in the spring of the year that the army of Syria came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the leaders of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.
24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; but the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.

As a result of Joash's disobedience and the nation's idolatry, Syria attacks Judah and Jerusalem. Though the Syrian army is small, God allows them to defeat Judah’s much larger forces because the people have forsaken Him. The Syrians destroy the leaders who had led Judah into sin and send their spoils to Damascus. This invasion serves as God's judgment on Joash and his kingdom for abandoning Him.

2 Chronicles 24:25-27 (NKJV)
25 And when they had withdrawn from him (for they left him severely wounded), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died; and they buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.
26 These are the ones 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 many oracles about him, and the repairing of the house of God, indeed they are written in the annals of the book of the kings. Then Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

Joash's reign ends in betrayal and death. After being wounded by the Syrians, his servants, angry over his killing of Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, conspire and murder him while he lies in bed. Joash is buried in the City of David, but without the honor of being laid in the tombs of the kings, reflecting his fallen status. His death serves as a tragic conclusion to a reign that began with promise but ended in disobedience and divine judgment.