2 Chronicles 24

The Explanation

Joash was only seven years old when he became king of Judah. Seven. Younger than you. He had been hidden in the temple for six years because his own grandmother Athaliah wanted to kill everyone in the royal family. But the priest Jehoiada saved him and raised him.

As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash did what was right. He even had a great plan: the temple of the Lord had fallen into disrepair, and Joash wanted to fix it. He had a chest made and placed at the temple gate. Everyone brought money, and the people were glad to give. With that money, workers repaired the temple until it stood strong again.

But then Jehoiada died. He was a hundred and thirty years old, and they buried him with the kings, because he had done so much good.

And here the story turns dark. After Jehoiada's death, the princes of Judah came to Joash and bowed before him. They wanted to go back to worshiping idols and Asherah poles, wooden images of a false goddess. And Joash listened to them. The king who had rebuilt the temple now turned his back on the God of that temple.

God sent prophets to warn them, but nobody listened. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, the very priest who had once saved Joash's life. Zechariah stood up and said, "Why do you break the commandments of the Lord?" And what did Joash do? He gave the order to stone Zechariah to death, right in the courtyard of the temple. As Zechariah was dying, he said, "May the Lord see this and call you to account."

Not long after, a small Syrian army came and defeated Judah's much larger army. Joash was badly wounded. His own servants killed him in his bed, because they had not forgotten what he did to Zechariah. He was buried in Jerusalem, but not among the kings.

What Does This Mean?

This is one of the saddest chapters in the Bible. A boy who started so well ends so terribly. It makes you wonder: how can someone change so much?

The text gives a hint. As long as Joash had Jehoiada beside him, he chose the right path. When Jehoiada was gone, Joash bent toward whoever spoke loudest. He did not have a faith of his own yet. He had a borrowed faith.

And notice something painful: Joash forgot. He forgot that Jehoiada had saved his life. He forgot the kindness. That is why he could kill Zechariah, Jehoiada's own son. Forgetting where you came from is dangerous.

The Common Thread

Centuries later, Jesus stood in that same temple area and spoke about Zechariah, the priest who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary (Matthew 23:35). Jesus did not forget him. God had seen.

And there is more. Zechariah cried out for justice as he died. But when Jesus died, He cried out something different: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus took the punishment that people like Joash deserved. Where Joash's story ends in blood and shame, Jesus opens a way back for people who have wandered far. Even for kings who once knew better.

For You

You may have people in your life who help you believe. Parents, a grandma, a leader at church. That is a gift. But there comes a moment when you have to know for yourself why you follow God. Not because someone is watching, but because you truly want to.

And when someone dares to tell you something you do not want to hear, do not push them away too quickly. Sometimes the person who tells you the truth is the one who loves you most.

Talk About It

Why do you think Joash changed so much after Jehoiada died? Do you think he ever really believed for himself?

Have you ever been warned about something and gotten angry, and later realized the person was right? What was that like?

Praying Together

Lord God, help me not just to believe because others around me do. Give me a faith that is my own. Help me to listen when someone tells me the truth, even when it hurts. Thank You that Jesus prayed for forgiveness for people who had gone the wrong way. Amen.