New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
2 Chronicles 24
1
Joash was seven years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for 40 years. His mother's name was Zibiah. She was from Beersheba.
2
Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He lived that way as long as the priest Jehoiada was alive.
Reference
References Lord
2 Chronicles 25:2
3
Jehoiada chose two wives for Joash. They had sons and daughters by Joash.
4
Some time later Joash decided to make the Lord's temple look like new again.
5
He called together the priests and Levites. He said to them, "Go to the towns of Judah. Collect the money that the nation of Israel owes every year. Use it to repair the temple of your God. Do it now." But the Levites didn't do it right away.
6
So the king sent for the chief priest Jehoiada. He said to him, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring in the tax from Judah and Jerusalem? It was set up by the Lord's servant Moses and the whole community of Israel. It was used for the tent where the tablets of the covenant were kept."
Reference
Temple
Numbers 1:50
7
The children of that evil woman Athaliah had broken into God's temple. They had used even its sacred objects for the gods that were named after Baal.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 21:17
8
King Joash commanded that a wooden chest be made. It was placed outside near the gate of the Lord's temple.
9
Then a message went out in Judah and Jerusalem. It said that the people should bring the tax to the Lord. God's servant Moses had required Israel to pay that tax when they were in the desert.
Reference
References Lord
2 Chronicles 24:6
10
All of the officials and people gladly brought their money. They dropped it into the chest until it was full.
Reference
11
The chest was brought in by the Levites to the king's officials. Every time the officials saw there was a large amount of money in the chest, it was emptied out. The royal secretary and the officer of the chief priest came and emptied it. Then they carried it back to its place. They did it regularly. They collected a great amount of money.
12
The king and Jehoiada gave it to the men who were doing the work on the Lord's temple. They hired people who could lay the stones and people who could work with wood. They also hired people who could work with iron and bronze. They hired all of them to repair the temple.
13
The men who were in charge of the work did their best. The repairs went very well under them. They rebuilt God's temple. They did it in keeping with its original plans. They made it stronger.
14
So they finished the work. Then they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada. It was used to pay for the articles that were made for the Lord's temple. The articles were used for serving at the temple. They were also used for the burnt offerings. The articles included dishes and other objects that were made out of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were sacrificed continually at the Lord's temple.
15
Jehoiada had become very old. He died at the age of 130.
16
His body was buried with the kings in the City of David. That's because he had done so many good things in Israel for God and his temple.
Reference
17
After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah came to King Joash. They bowed down to him. He listened to them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 31:27
18
They turned their backs on the temple of the Lord, the God of their people. They worshiped poles that were made to honor the goddess Asherah. They also worshiped statues of other gods. Because Judah and Jerusalem were guilty of sin, God became angry with them.
Reference
Judgment
Joshua 22:20
Ephesians 5:6
2 Chronicles 19:2
2 Chronicles 32:25
2 Chronicles 28:13
Parallel theme
1 Kings 14:23
References Lord
2 Chronicles 24:4
19
The Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him. The prophets gave witness against the people. But they wouldn't listen.
20
Then the Spirit of God came on the priest Zechariah. He was the son of Jehoiada. Zechariah stood in front of the people. He told them, "God says, 'Why do you refuse to obey my commands? You will not have success. You have deserted me. So I have deserted you.' "
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 5:25
Matthew 23:35
Spirit
2 Chronicles 20:14
1 Chronicles 12:18
Word
Numbers 14:41
21
But the people made evil plans against Zechariah. The king ordered them to kill Zechariah by throwing stones at him. They did it in the courtyard of the Lord's temple.
Reference
Word
Nehemiah 9:26
22
King Joash didn't remember how kind Zechariah's father Jehoiada had been to him. So he killed Jehoiada's son. As Zechariah was dying he said, "May the Lord see this. May he hold you accountable."
Reference
23
In the spring, the army of Aram marched into Judah and Jerusalem against Joash. They killed all of the leaders of the people. They took a large amount of goods from Judah. They sent it to their king in Damascus.
24
The army of Aram had come with only a few men. But the Lord allowed them to win the battle over a much larger army. Judah had deserted the Lord, the God of their people. That's why the Lord punished Joash.
Reference
Judgment
2 Chronicles 22:8
Parallel theme
Isaiah 30:17
Leviticus 26:25
Leviticus 26:8
Leviticus 26:37
References Lord
Deuteronomy 28:25
25
The army of Aram pulled back. They left Joash badly wounded. His officials planned to do evil things to him. That's because he murdered the son of the priest Jehoiada. They killed Joash in his bed. So he died. His body was buried in the City of David. But it wasn't placed in the tombs of the kings.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Chronicles 28:27
26
Those who made the plans against Joash were Zabad and Jehozabad. Zabad was the son of Shimeath. She was from Ammon. Jehozabad was the son of Shimrith. She was from Moab.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Kings 12:21
27
The story of the sons of Joash is written in the notes on the records of the kings. The many prophecies about him are written there too. So is the record of how he made God's temple look like new again. His son Amaziah became the next king after him.
Summary of 2 Chronicles 24
This chapter describes the entire reign of Joash, beginning with his faithful leadership under Jehoiada and ending with his spiritual decline, the murder of Zechariah, military defeat, assassination, and dishonored burial. The chapter presents a powerful contrast between the first and second halves of Joash's reign.
Joash becomes king at only seven years old after Jehoiada the priest successfully removes Athaliah from power. Because Joash is still a child, Jehoiada provides strong spiritual and political guidance.
During this early period, Joash generally does what is right in the sight of the Lord.
One of his most important projects is the repair of the Temple.
The Temple had suffered damage and neglect during the previous period of religious corruption. Athaliah and her family had promoted Baal worship, and the Temple had been misused.
Joash therefore orders the priests and Levites to collect money throughout Judah for restoration work.
At first, the collection does not proceed effectively. Joash questions Jehoiada about the delay and orders a more direct system.
A collection chest is placed outside the Temple, and a proclamation is made throughout Judah and Jerusalem asking the people to contribute according to the requirements associated with Moses.
The response is very positive.
The people bring their contributions willingly, and the chest repeatedly becomes full.
The money is then given to supervisors who hire skilled workers. Stonecutters, carpenters, and metalworkers repair the Temple and restore the building to proper condition.
Once the structural work is finished, the remaining money is used to produce vessels and equipment needed for worship.
This is one of the strongest positive periods in Joash's reign.
The Temple is repaired. Worship is restored. The people contribute willingly. And the king is working closely with Jehoiada.
The chapter then reaches a major turning point.
Jehoiada dies at the age of 130.
His death is presented as a significant loss because he had been the principal spiritual influence in Joash's life.
Jehoiada is given the extraordinary honor of being buried in the City of David among the kings. The text explains that he deserved this honor because of the good he had done for Judah, the Temple, and the people.
After Jehoiada's death, however, Joash's leadership changes dramatically.
The officials of Judah approach him and persuade him to listen to them.
Instead of continuing the reforms that Jehoiada had established, Joash and the leaders abandon the Temple and begin worshiping Asherah poles and idols.
This reversal is one of the central lessons of the chapter.
Joash's faithfulness had been strongly connected with Jehoiada's guidance. When that influence disappears, Joash allows other advisers to redirect him.
God responds by sending prophets to warn the king and the people.
But they refuse to listen.
Eventually, Zechariah son of Jehoiada receives God's message.
Zechariah is not simply another prophet. He is the son of the very priest who had protected Joash, restored him to the throne, and helped him repair the Temple.
Zechariah stands before the people and explains that because they have abandoned God, they are experiencing the consequences of their rebellion.
Instead of accepting the correction, the leaders and people turn against Zechariah.
The situation becomes even more tragic.
Joash orders Zechariah to be killed.
Zechariah is stoned to death in the courtyard of the Temple.
This is one of the darkest moments in Joash's life.
The man who once repaired the Temple now allows the son of the priest who protected him to be murdered in that very Temple.
Zechariah's final statement is that the Lord sees what is happening and will hold Joash accountable.
The murder becomes a symbol of Joash's complete spiritual reversal.
He had begun his reign as a child protected by God's servants.
He had restored God's Temple.
He had supported worship.
But after Jehoiada's death, he rejects God's correction and kills the person delivering the warning.
The consequences soon follow.
An Aramean army attacks Judah.
The Chronicler makes an important observation: the Aramean army is relatively small compared with Judah's military force, yet Judah is defeated.
The explanation is theological.
The Lord allows Judah to be defeated because the people have abandoned Him.
The Arameans defeat Judah's leaders, capture valuable possessions, and return to Damascus.
The military defeat demonstrates that Judah's size and resources cannot guarantee its security.
Soon afterward, Joash becomes seriously ill.
His own officials conspire against him.
The conspirators are identified as Zabad and Jehozabad.
They attack Joash while he is sick in bed and kill him.
Thus, Joash's reign ends in the same general atmosphere of violence that had characterized several generations of Judah's royal history.
His final burial also reflects the judgment of the Chronicler.
Although Joash had ruled for forty years and had once been honored as the rightful Davidic king, he is not buried in the tombs of the kings.
This is a striking contrast with Jehoiada.
Jehoiada was not a king, yet he was buried among the kings because of the good he had done.
Joash was a king, yet he was denied that honor because of the way his reign ended.
Historically, Joash's reign is generally placed around 835–796 BC. His forty-year reign was one of the longer reigns in Judah's history.
The chapter therefore covers several decades and shows a remarkable transformation in both the king and the kingdom.
The central theme is the importance of faithful spiritual guidance and the danger of abandoning it.
Joash's early reign is successful largely because he listens to Jehoiada.
Once Jehoiada dies, Joash listens to different advisers and begins moving away from God.
This demonstrates that leadership requires more than a good beginning.
A person can begin well and later turn away.
The chapter also teaches that past achievements do not guarantee future faithfulness.
Joash accomplished something significant by restoring the Temple. He helped rebuild the central place of worship and organized the collection of money needed for the work.
But these accomplishments did not prevent his later spiritual decline.
The murder of Zechariah is particularly important because it reveals how far Joash had fallen.
Jehoiada had essentially helped save Joash's life and preserve his throne.
Yet Joash ultimately allows Jehoiada's son to be murdered.
This shows the destructive effect of rejecting truthful correction.
Another major theme is accountability.
God repeatedly sends prophets to warn Judah before judgment arrives.
The people are not left without instruction.
They are warned.
They are given opportunities to return.
But they refuse.
The Aramean invasion and Joash's assassination then demonstrate the consequences of continued rebellion.
The chapter also contains an important lesson about leadership influence.
Joash is heavily influenced by the people around him.
First, Jehoiada guides him toward faithful worship and restoration.
Later, Judah's officials persuade him toward idolatry.
The contrast shows that leaders must carefully evaluate the advice they receive rather than simply following influential advisers.
The story of the Temple is also significant.
At the beginning of the chapter, Joash repairs the Temple.
At the end, the king has rejected the God whose Temple he repaired.
The physical restoration of the building therefore does not automatically guarantee spiritual restoration in the hearts of the people.
True faithfulness requires more than repairing structures or maintaining religious institutions.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 24 presents Joash as a tragic example of a leader who began well but ended badly.
His story moves through four major stages:
Protection ? Restoration ? Rebellion ? Judgment.
He begins as a child protected by Jehosheba and Jehoiada.
He becomes a reforming king who repairs the Temple.
After Jehoiada dies, he abandons God and accepts idolatrous influence.
Finally, he faces military defeat, personal illness, assassination, and a dishonored burial.
The chapter's central warning is that a faithful beginning does not guarantee a faithful ending.
Joash needed to continue seeking God even after Jehoiada was gone.
Instead, he allowed other advisers to redirect him.
The chapter therefore encourages leaders and individuals to develop a personal and lasting commitment to God rather than depending entirely on the spiritual guidance of another person.
At the same time, it emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting correction.
Zechariah's final words—spoken as he is being killed—demonstrate that God sees injustice even when powerful people believe they can act without consequences.
The final evaluation of Joash is therefore tragic.
He had enormous potential.
He had been given a remarkable opportunity.
He had been protected when he was an infant, restored to the throne, supported by a respected priest, and given the opportunity to lead Judah faithfully.
But his later decisions destroyed much of what had been accomplished.
2 Chronicles Chapter 24 ultimately teaches that true faithfulness must endure beyond one season of life and beyond the influence of one spiritual mentor. A good beginning must be followed by continued obedience, humility, and willingness to accept correction.
Joash becomes king at only seven years old after Jehoiada the priest successfully removes Athaliah from power. Because Joash is still a child, Jehoiada provides strong spiritual and political guidance.
During this early period, Joash generally does what is right in the sight of the Lord.
One of his most important projects is the repair of the Temple.
The Temple had suffered damage and neglect during the previous period of religious corruption. Athaliah and her family had promoted Baal worship, and the Temple had been misused.
Joash therefore orders the priests and Levites to collect money throughout Judah for restoration work.
At first, the collection does not proceed effectively. Joash questions Jehoiada about the delay and orders a more direct system.
A collection chest is placed outside the Temple, and a proclamation is made throughout Judah and Jerusalem asking the people to contribute according to the requirements associated with Moses.
The response is very positive.
The people bring their contributions willingly, and the chest repeatedly becomes full.
The money is then given to supervisors who hire skilled workers. Stonecutters, carpenters, and metalworkers repair the Temple and restore the building to proper condition.
Once the structural work is finished, the remaining money is used to produce vessels and equipment needed for worship.
This is one of the strongest positive periods in Joash's reign.
The Temple is repaired. Worship is restored. The people contribute willingly. And the king is working closely with Jehoiada.
The chapter then reaches a major turning point.
Jehoiada dies at the age of 130.
His death is presented as a significant loss because he had been the principal spiritual influence in Joash's life.
Jehoiada is given the extraordinary honor of being buried in the City of David among the kings. The text explains that he deserved this honor because of the good he had done for Judah, the Temple, and the people.
After Jehoiada's death, however, Joash's leadership changes dramatically.
The officials of Judah approach him and persuade him to listen to them.
Instead of continuing the reforms that Jehoiada had established, Joash and the leaders abandon the Temple and begin worshiping Asherah poles and idols.
This reversal is one of the central lessons of the chapter.
Joash's faithfulness had been strongly connected with Jehoiada's guidance. When that influence disappears, Joash allows other advisers to redirect him.
God responds by sending prophets to warn the king and the people.
But they refuse to listen.
Eventually, Zechariah son of Jehoiada receives God's message.
Zechariah is not simply another prophet. He is the son of the very priest who had protected Joash, restored him to the throne, and helped him repair the Temple.
Zechariah stands before the people and explains that because they have abandoned God, they are experiencing the consequences of their rebellion.
Instead of accepting the correction, the leaders and people turn against Zechariah.
The situation becomes even more tragic.
Joash orders Zechariah to be killed.
Zechariah is stoned to death in the courtyard of the Temple.
This is one of the darkest moments in Joash's life.
The man who once repaired the Temple now allows the son of the priest who protected him to be murdered in that very Temple.
Zechariah's final statement is that the Lord sees what is happening and will hold Joash accountable.
The murder becomes a symbol of Joash's complete spiritual reversal.
He had begun his reign as a child protected by God's servants.
He had restored God's Temple.
He had supported worship.
But after Jehoiada's death, he rejects God's correction and kills the person delivering the warning.
The consequences soon follow.
An Aramean army attacks Judah.
The Chronicler makes an important observation: the Aramean army is relatively small compared with Judah's military force, yet Judah is defeated.
The explanation is theological.
The Lord allows Judah to be defeated because the people have abandoned Him.
The Arameans defeat Judah's leaders, capture valuable possessions, and return to Damascus.
The military defeat demonstrates that Judah's size and resources cannot guarantee its security.
Soon afterward, Joash becomes seriously ill.
His own officials conspire against him.
The conspirators are identified as Zabad and Jehozabad.
They attack Joash while he is sick in bed and kill him.
Thus, Joash's reign ends in the same general atmosphere of violence that had characterized several generations of Judah's royal history.
His final burial also reflects the judgment of the Chronicler.
Although Joash had ruled for forty years and had once been honored as the rightful Davidic king, he is not buried in the tombs of the kings.
This is a striking contrast with Jehoiada.
Jehoiada was not a king, yet he was buried among the kings because of the good he had done.
Joash was a king, yet he was denied that honor because of the way his reign ended.
Historically, Joash's reign is generally placed around 835–796 BC. His forty-year reign was one of the longer reigns in Judah's history.
The chapter therefore covers several decades and shows a remarkable transformation in both the king and the kingdom.
The central theme is the importance of faithful spiritual guidance and the danger of abandoning it.
Joash's early reign is successful largely because he listens to Jehoiada.
Once Jehoiada dies, Joash listens to different advisers and begins moving away from God.
This demonstrates that leadership requires more than a good beginning.
A person can begin well and later turn away.
The chapter also teaches that past achievements do not guarantee future faithfulness.
Joash accomplished something significant by restoring the Temple. He helped rebuild the central place of worship and organized the collection of money needed for the work.
But these accomplishments did not prevent his later spiritual decline.
The murder of Zechariah is particularly important because it reveals how far Joash had fallen.
Jehoiada had essentially helped save Joash's life and preserve his throne.
Yet Joash ultimately allows Jehoiada's son to be murdered.
This shows the destructive effect of rejecting truthful correction.
Another major theme is accountability.
God repeatedly sends prophets to warn Judah before judgment arrives.
The people are not left without instruction.
They are warned.
They are given opportunities to return.
But they refuse.
The Aramean invasion and Joash's assassination then demonstrate the consequences of continued rebellion.
The chapter also contains an important lesson about leadership influence.
Joash is heavily influenced by the people around him.
First, Jehoiada guides him toward faithful worship and restoration.
Later, Judah's officials persuade him toward idolatry.
The contrast shows that leaders must carefully evaluate the advice they receive rather than simply following influential advisers.
The story of the Temple is also significant.
At the beginning of the chapter, Joash repairs the Temple.
At the end, the king has rejected the God whose Temple he repaired.
The physical restoration of the building therefore does not automatically guarantee spiritual restoration in the hearts of the people.
True faithfulness requires more than repairing structures or maintaining religious institutions.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 24 presents Joash as a tragic example of a leader who began well but ended badly.
His story moves through four major stages:
Protection ? Restoration ? Rebellion ? Judgment.
He begins as a child protected by Jehosheba and Jehoiada.
He becomes a reforming king who repairs the Temple.
After Jehoiada dies, he abandons God and accepts idolatrous influence.
Finally, he faces military defeat, personal illness, assassination, and a dishonored burial.
The chapter's central warning is that a faithful beginning does not guarantee a faithful ending.
Joash needed to continue seeking God even after Jehoiada was gone.
Instead, he allowed other advisers to redirect him.
The chapter therefore encourages leaders and individuals to develop a personal and lasting commitment to God rather than depending entirely on the spiritual guidance of another person.
At the same time, it emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting correction.
Zechariah's final words—spoken as he is being killed—demonstrate that God sees injustice even when powerful people believe they can act without consequences.
The final evaluation of Joash is therefore tragic.
He had enormous potential.
He had been given a remarkable opportunity.
He had been protected when he was an infant, restored to the throne, supported by a respected priest, and given the opportunity to lead Judah faithfully.
But his later decisions destroyed much of what had been accomplished.
2 Chronicles Chapter 24 ultimately teaches that true faithfulness must endure beyond one season of life and beyond the influence of one spiritual mentor. A good beginning must be followed by continued obedience, humility, and willingness to accept correction.