2Ch 24:27 | KingComments | STEP | The judgments were not only executed on the people, their leaders and their possessions, but also on Joash personally ( ). When the enemies depart, they leave Joash “very sick”, a sickness that is probably the result of serious injuries inflicted on him. With this the measure of God’s discipline over him is not yet full. Two servants conspire against him and kill him, lying powerless on his sickbed. Joash is buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings, an honor he has given Jehoiada ( ). The reason given for Joash’s murder is “because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest”. It seems that of Jehoiada’s sons, Joash did not only kill Zechariah, but also other sons. The reason given does not mean that this has led the two killers to act. It means that God in His governmental ways allows the murder as a retaliation for the blood that Joash shed. The two men will be justly punished for their crime ( ). The names of the servants and their origins are mentioned ( ). They are two sons of foreign, although Israel-related, women. The Ammonites and Moabites are descendants of Lot ( ), the nephew of Abraham. They have always been hostile toward God’s people. That Joash has accepted them as servants may be the consequence of serving their gods. Those who fall into the idolatry always bring elements into their home that are hostile to them and are out of their ruin. The chronicler ends his description of Joash’s life with a reference to some things “written in the treatise of the Book of the Kings” ( ). This book has not been preserved for us. What it says is about his sons, possibly who they are and how he dealt with them. It also concerns “the many oracles against him”. One might think of the judgment prophecies of the LORD that are spoken against him. The last reference is to “the rebuilding of the house of God”, in which we can nevertheless note a certain appreciation for what Joash has done for God’s house. Joash’s life may have had a tragic course and a tragic end, but God’s faithfulness remains. The son of Joash, Amaziah, becomes king instead of Joash, so God still keeps a lamp burning for David’s house. The light is not yet extinguished.

‏ 2 Chronicles 24:27

The Death of Joash

The judgments were not only executed on the people, their leaders and their possessions, but also on Joash personally (2Chr 24:25). When the enemies depart, they leave Joash “very sick”, a sickness that is probably the result of serious injuries inflicted on him. With this the measure of God’s discipline over him is not yet full. Two servants conspire against him and kill him, lying powerless on his sickbed. Joash is buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings, an honor he has given Jehoiada (2Chr 24:16).

The reason given for Joash’s murder is “because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest”. It seems that of Jehoiada’s sons, Joash did not only kill Zechariah, but also other sons. The reason given does not mean that this has led the two killers to act. It means that God in His governmental ways allows the murder as a retaliation for the blood that Joash shed. The two men will be justly punished for their crime (2Chr 25:3).

The names of the servants and their origins are mentioned (2Chr 24:26). They are two sons of foreign, although Israel-related, women. The Ammonites and Moabites are descendants of Lot (Gen 19:30-38), the nephew of Abraham. They have always been hostile toward God’s people. That Joash has accepted them as servants may be the consequence of serving their gods. Those who fall into the idolatry always bring elements into their home that are hostile to them and are out of their ruin.

The chronicler ends his description of Joash’s life with a reference to some things “written in the treatise of the Book of the Kings” (2Chr 24:27). This book has not been preserved for us. What it says is about his sons, possibly who they are and how he dealt with them. It also concerns “the many oracles against him”. One might think of the judgment prophecies of the LORD that are spoken against him. The last reference is to “the rebuilding of the house of God”, in which we can nevertheless note a certain appreciation for what Joash has done for God’s house.

Joash’s life may have had a tragic course and a tragic end, but God’s faithfulness remains. The son of Joash, Amaziah, becomes king instead of Joash, so God still keeps a lamp burning for David’s house. The light is not yet extinguished.