2 Chronicles 23:16-21

9. THE REIGN OF JOASH (2 Chronicles 23:16-21)

TEXT

2 Chronicles 23:16. And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be Jehovah's people. 17. And all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18. And Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Jehovah under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Jehovah, to offer the burnt-offerings of Jehovah, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David. 19. And he set the porters at the gates of the house of Jehovah, that none that was unclean in anything should enter in. 20. And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of Jehovah: and they came through the upper gate unto the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. 21. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. And Athaliah they had slain with the sword.

2 Chronicles 24:1. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Zibiah, of Beer-sheba. 2. And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3. And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.

4. And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Jehovah. 5. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year; and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 6. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Jehovah, and of the assembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony? 7. For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, hath broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of Jehovah did they bestow upon the Baalim.
8. So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set without at the gate of the house of Jehovah. 9. And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Jehovah the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. 10. And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. 11. And it was so, that, at what time the chest was brought unto the king's officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the chief priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12. And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Jehovah; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Jehovah, and also such as wrought iron and brass to repair the house of Jehovah. 13. So the workmen wrought, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it. 14. And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of Jehovah, even vessels wherewith to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Jehovah continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15. But Jehoiada waxed old and was full of days, and he died; a hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. 16. And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house. 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. 18. And they forsook the house of Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. 19. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto Jehovah; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, -Why transgress ye the commandments of Jehovah, so that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken Jehovah, he hath also forsaken you-' 21. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Jehovah. 22. Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, Jehovah look upon it, and require it.
23. And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. 24. For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Jehovah delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken Jehovah, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash.
25. And when they were departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings. 26. And these are they that 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 greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

PARAPHRASE

2 Chronicles 23:18. Jehoiada now appointed the Levite priests as guards, and to sacrifice the burnt offering to the Lord as prescribed in the law of Moses. He made the identical assignments of the Levite clans that King David had. They sang with joy as they worked. 19. The guards at the Temple gates kept out everything that was not consecrated and all unauthorized personnel.

20. Then the army officers, nobles, governors, and all the people escorted the king from the Temple, wending their way from the Upper Gate to the palace, and seated the king upon his throne. 21. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet and peaceful because Queen Athaliah was dead.

2 Chronicles 24:1. Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years, in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, from Beer-sheba. 2. Joash tried hard to please the Lord all during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest. 3. Jehoiada arranged two marriages for him, and he had sons and daughters.

4. Later on, Joash decided to repair and recondition the Temple. 5. He summoned the priests and Levites and gave them these instructions: Go to all the cities of Judah and collect offerings for the building fund, so that we can maintain the Temple in good repair. Get at it right away. Don-'t delay. But the Levites took their time.
6. So the king called for Jehoiada, the High Priest, and asked him, Why haven-'t you demanded that the Levites go out and collect the Temple taxes from the cities of Judah, and from Jerusalem? The tax law enacted by Moses the servant of the Lord must be enforced so that the Temple can be repaired.
7, 8. (The followers of wicked Athaliah had ravaged the Temple, and everything dedicated to the worship of God had been removed to the temple of Baalam.) So now the king instructed that a chest be made and set outside the Temple gate. 9. Then a proclamation was sent to all the cities of Judah and throughout Jerusalem telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God had assessed upon Israel.
10. And all the leaders and the people were glad, and brought the money and placed it in the chest until it was full.
11. Then the Levites carried the chest to the king's accounting office where the recording secretary and the representative of the High Priest counted money, and took the chest back to the Temple again. This went on day after day, and money continued to pour in. 12. The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the building superintendents, who hired masons and carpenters to restore the Temple; and to foundrymen who made articles of iron and brass. 13. So the work went forward, and finally the Temple was in much better condition than before. 14. When all was finished, the remaining money was brought to the king and Jehoiada, and it was agreed to use it for making the gold and silver spoons and bowls used for incense, and for making the instruments used in the sacrifices and offerings.
Burnt offerings were sacrificed continually during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest. 15. He lived to a very old age, finally dying at 130. 16. He was buried in the City of David among the kings, because he had done so much good for Israel, for God, and for the Temple.
17, 18. But after his death the leaders of Judah came to King Joash and induced him to abandon the Temple of the God of their ancestors, and to worship shame-idols instead! So the wrath of God came down upon Judah and Jerusalem again. 19. God sent prophets to bring them back to the Lord, but the people wouldn-'t listen.
20. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, Jehoiada's son. He called a meeting of all the people. Standing before them upon a platform, he said to them, God wants to know why you are disobeying his commandments. For when you do, everything you try fails. You have forsaken the Lord, and now he has forsaken you.
21. Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and finally King Joash himself ordered him executed in the court of the Temple, 22. That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his love and loyaltyby killing his son. Zechariah's last words as he died were Lord, see what they are doing and pay them back.
23. A few months later the Syrian army arrived and conquered Judah and Jerusalem, killing all the leaders of the nation and sending back great quantities of booty to the king of Damascus. 24. It was a great triumph for the tiny Syrian army, but the Lord let the great army of Judah be conquered by them because they had forsaken the Lord God of their ancestors. In that way God executed judgment upon Joash. 25. When the Syrians leftleaving Joash severly woundedhis own officials decided to kill him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest. They assassinated him as he lay in bed, and buried him in the City of David, but not in the cemetery of the kings. 26. The conspirators were Zabad, whose mother was Shime-ath, a woman from Amon; and Jehozabad, whose mother was Shim-rith, a woman from Moab.
27. If you want to read about the sons of Joash, and the curses laid upon Joash, and about the restoration of the Temple, see The Annals of the Kings. When Joash died, his son Amaziah became the new king.

COMMENTARY

The high priestly office was a position of real authority among the Hebrew people. This had never been more manifest than it was in Jehoiada's day. The high priest at this time was the real power behind the throne. Jehoiada led in the covenant renewal. His rage against the idols of Baal reminds the student of Paul's righteous wrath which he vented against Athens-' idols (Acts 17). In a later day, John Knox turned his fury on idolatry in England. Athaliah had been the champion of Baalism. The whole Baalistic system was supported by her government. The Temple of Jehovah suffered because of the neglect of the queen and the people under her influence. With rare delight Jehoiada and the faithful Jehovah worshipers ruined the temple of Baal with all of its fixtures. Mattan, the priest of Baal was killed near the altars of his own temple.

The new government under Joash was committed to Jehovah worship. Priests were appointed for regular service. Offerings were to be presented to Jehovah according to directions in the Law. The singers and instrumentalists were assigned to their respective duties. The gatekeepers were charged with their peculiar responsibilities. Under heavy guard Joash was brought from the Temple to the throne room and installed as king over the southern kingdom. There had been bloodshed. It was a day of dramatic incidents. The stage had been set for a time of renewal and growth among Jehovah's people.

LESSON TWENTY-ONE 24-26

THE REIGN OF JOASH, AMAZIAH'S RISE AND FALL.
UZZIAH'S LIFE AND TIMES.

9. THE REIGN OF JOASH-Continued (2 Chronicles 23:16-21)

INTRODUCTION

Joash and Jehoiada led far-reaching reformation in Jerusalem. Amaziah sought revenge for his father's death. Later he challenged Joash of Israel to battle and finally died at the hands of conspirators. Uzziah accomplished many internal improvements in Judah. The king's leprosy ended an otherwise useful life.

TEXT

(Scripture text in Lesson Twenty)

PARAPHRASE

(Scripture text in Lesson Twenty)

COMMENTARY

Like Saul, David, and Solomon, each of whom reigned forty years, Joash attained to the same number of years for his reign. Some blessing from Jehovah is to be seen in Joash's ability to exercise authority through that many years. Nothing more is known about his mother except her name, Zibiah, and the place of her origin, Beersheba. As long as Jehoiada lived, the high priest exercised a good influence over Joash. Later in his reign, Joash turned away from Jehovah. The king regarded the high priest like a son would look to a father. Jehoiada's deep concern for the protection of the seed of David led him to a careful selection of two wives for Joash. Why he chose two wives we are not told. Perhaps he was suggesting that this should be the extent of Joash's harem. The record indicates that Joash was the father of several children. This, also, was another indication of Jehovah's blessing.
The Temple of Jehovah needed physical repairs. Athaliah had used all of her influence to promote Baalism. Joash's purpose at this time was to effect a complete renewal of the Temple. Jehoiada encouraged him in every way.[67] The priests and Levites were informed of Joash's purpose and were sent throughout the kingdom to tell the people of the king's plans and to collect money for the project. The official religious leaders failed to throw themselves fully into this good work even though they had been told that the matter was urgent. The king counseled with Jehoiada and inquired about the failure of the priests. A half shekel tax (Exodus 30:13-15; Numbers 1:30) was supposed to be paid each year by every male for the purpose of helping to support the work of Jehovah's House. This tax had not been collected for a long time. God's House had been completely impoverished by the Baalists. Joash was deeply concerned.

[67] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, II Chronicles, p. 283

Since his first plan had failed, Joash devised the building of a box with a necessary opening in the cover. This box was most likely placed in the court of the priests near the altar of burnt-offering. People brought their gifts to the Temple, turned them over to the attending priests who deposited the gifts in the chest. Throughout the borders of Judah the people came with their Temple tax. The failure of the first program had to be laid upon the priests and Levites who would not go to the people with the king's request. Once Joash's country-men were told about the king's plan, with great rejoicing they came. Day after day they filled the money box. Perhaps there was a daily accounting of the funds by attendant priests at the Temple. Just as soon as the money was available, workmen began the task of renewing Jehovah's house. Whatever needed to be done to make the Temple substantial was accomplished by masons, carpenters, and workers in metals. When all of the necessary repairs were made and paid for, money remained in the building fund. This money was used to provide vessels of silver and gold for the service of the Temple. As long as Jehoiada lived, the people of the southern kingdom remained faithful to Jehovah.

Jehoiada was blessed with a long life of one hundred and thirty years. His being full of days (2 Chronicles 23:15) suggests something of the satisfaction and the fulfillment of his life. He was accorded a state funeral and was honored in his burial in the royal cemetery. Jehoiada ranked with the best men who were leaders of Jehovah's people. He was a good man in relation to his people and his God. Evil forces, held in check in Jehoiada's day, were unleashed when he died. The princes of Judah approached Joash with subtle flattery. Their obeisance probably caused Joash to think too highly of himself. The idea of worship is associated with the action of the princes. Joash was about thirty five years old. Considering all that Jehovah had done for him, it is difficult to understand that he could be influenced so easily to rebel against God. These counselors were like the men who advised Rehoboam to act so foolishly earlier in Israel's history. By this choice, Joash's destiny was sealed. All that a person has done for Jehovah in former days is of no value in personal salvation if one is not faithful until death. When the house of Jehovah is forsaken, men not only fail to go there to worship, but they abandon God's whole program. In this context Jesus said, You should look for Me in My Father's house (Luke 2:49). He was always totally involved in His Father's business. The historian in Chronicles was fully aware of the cycle of history in which the Hebrews moved. They forsook Jehovah. They gave themselves to the Asherim (Baalism). They suffered under the wrath of Jehovah. Their God, moved by great compassion, sent prophets to convict the people of sin and to urge repentance. These prophets were often scorned and were sometimes put to death.

Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, was among the prophets sent by Jehovah to Judah and Jerusalem. He was motivated by and clothed with the Holy Spirit. His message was clear and pointed. Considering all that Jehovah had done for His people and weighing the consequences of their actions, there was no excuse for the rebel attitude. Zechariah emphasized their transgression, reviewed their failures, and reminded his hearers that Jehovah had abandoned them. King Joash dared to order death by stoning for the prophet. The law had said that idolaters were to be stoned (Leviticus 20:2). The law was completely ignored as this death sentence was decreed for Zechariah. In a remarkable statement in Matthew 23:29-36 our Lord condemned the scribes and Pharisees because of their rejection of Himself and the prophetic word. He summarized the history of the Hebrew people when He charged them with the blood of the prophets which had been shed from the time of Abel to the time of Zechariah. Genesis is the first book in the Hebrew Bible. Second Chronicles is the last book in the Hebrew Bible. The expression, as Jesus used it, from Abel to Zechariah, took in all history pertaining to God's people. Joash had begun his work in a very worthy manner. He suffered a moral and spiritual collapse. Jehoiada should most likely be regarded as the grandfather of Joash. As Zechariah was dying, he expressed confidence in Jehovah's judgment and predicted that Joash would come under that judgment.

The Syrians under their king, Hazael, came to Jerusalem and in battle humiliated Joash and his people. At the revolution of the year suggests that this Syrian attack took place in the spring-time. The Hebrews suffered heavy casualties. Many of their leaders were killed. Much goods was carried out of Jerusalem to Damascus. As Jehovah had used foreign powers on other occasions to chastise His own people, so He used the Syrians at this time. When the Hebrews were faithful to God, a small army of Israelites could ruin an empty equipped with legions of soldiers. On this occasion a small company of Syrians over-ran Judah and Jerusalem. The historian saw the hand of Jehovah in these events. Retribution for sin was God's purpose in this humiliating defeat. In due time the Syrians withdrew; however, Joash's burdens were not lightened. The king experienced failure in his personal health. Even this would be regarded as evidence of Jehovah's disapproval of his leadership. There were those who remembered how Joash had closed Zechariah's mouth by stoning him to death. These were troublous times. Servants named Zabad (Jozacar) and Jehozabad, whose parentage related them to the Ammonites and Moabites, conspired and killed Joash in his bed. He had begun his reign in honor and with great promise. He died in shame. He was not buried in the royal cemetery.
Amaziah is the only known son of Joash. The specific nature of the burdens he placed on his sons is not described beyond the reference to the rebuilding of the house of God. Political involvements with Syria and the general unsettled circumstances brought crises in internal affairs. Joash's successor would experience real trials. Other details concerning Joash were written in a commentary of the book of the kings.