Jehoida was a priest who , greatly changed the course of ` Judah’s history. His timely intervention in matters of royalty and his guidance of young King Joash restored the house of David to the throne of Judah.
A summary of his positive influence on Judah is recorded in the Chronicles: “And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died, an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house” (II Chron 24:14-16).
Ridding Judah of the wicked usurpers
Before Jehoiada’s intervention, Queen Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, sat on Judah’s throne m Jerusalem In murdering her grandchildren and all the seed royal, she thought she had eliminated all rightful heirs to the throne (22 10) During her reign, concerned citizens of Judah may have concluded that God had forsaken his promise to David (II Sam 7 12,13) How could the Messiah ever come from David’s loins when all the seed royal had been destroyed? But God had not lost sight of His promise
Unknown to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one of Ahaziah’s sons, Joash, had been rescued from the slaughter Jehoshabeath (Jehosheba), the wife of Jehoiada the priest, had taken and secretly hidden him m the house of God (II Kgs 11 2) The location was well chosen since Queen Athaliah was unlikely to go there As a member of Omres house she was more fond of the house of Baal and the groves of Ashteroth than of the God of Jacob So for the first six years of her reign, the heir to David’s throne was sheltered in the temple by two faithful servants of God
In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada strengthened himself and arranged for Joash to become king (II Chron 23 1) Jehoiada carefully planned a coup that was bloodless except for the death of Queen Athaliah and Mattan, the priest of Baal All the citizens supported Joash and at the tender age of seven, he was enthroned as king in Judah (II Kings 11 21) The promise to David was again on course.
The aged counselor
The overthrow of Athahah was all the more remarkable because Jehoiada was an old man Over one hundred years of experience would prove helpful in guiding the young king and the scriptures show that his help was accepted by Joash with some exceptions.
“And Jehoash did that which was right m the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him But the high places were not taken away the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places” (II Kings 12:2).
As Joash began his reign the very fact that he did that which was right all the days of Jehoiada hints that the priest was deeply involved in his reign Having restored the line of David to the throne, Jehoiada was anxious to ensure that it continued, so he chose two wives for Joash It would not be that unusual for Jehoiada to select his wives, since he was not only his guardian but his uncle as well (Jehoiada’s wife was sister to Joash’s father Ahaziah, II Kings 11 2)
Joash shows initiative
The scripture records that Joash was his own man in a significant area of activity, reproving his mentor on one occasion.
Although little more than a century old, the house of the Lord was in disrepair. It had been damaged by the sons of Athaliah to facilitate their worship of Baal (H Chron. 24:7). Acting on his own, Joash asked the priests and the Levites to gather money to repair it. He may have expected the funds to come from the census tax or perhaps the estimation money the priests received when a vow was fulfilled (II Kgs 12:15; Ex. 30:11-16; Lev. 27:2-8).
“Howbeit the Levites hastened it not” (H Chron. 24:5).
Why had the Levites procrastinated? Were the citizens disenchanted with the priests? Did the delay suggest the Levites had strayed from God during Athaliah’s reign or did they simply find it difficult to apportion the money that came into their hands for repairs? (II Kgs. 12:7,8).
Still, repairing God’s house was a top priority for Joash, who was concerned with their lack of progress. His message to Jehoiada was urgent, “Why have my orders not been carried out?” (cp. II Chron. 24:6).
Although no answer to his question is recorded, a solution was quickly implemented. A collection chest set up outside the gate gathered freewill contributions in abundance. Here is another example of generous giving when a need is well defined and communicated. With the Levites the need was more vague, the giving had been reluctant. Once the need was specific, ample donations, earmarked for repair, were forthcoming. The people were glad to respond to an obvious need in an anonymous yet personal way.
Joash proves of weak character
Sadly, facilitating the repairs to God’s house and being faithful as long as Jehoiada lived are the only two positive aspects recorded of Joash (H Chron. 24.2,4,8). Once Jehoiada was dead Joash came under the influence of the princes of Judah (24:17). It is hard to believe that these were the same princes who rejoiced in contributing to the repair of the temple (24:10). Yet the scriptures say: “And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols…” (24:18).
Apparently Athaliah’s influence on Judah had not ended with her death, and Joash’s neglect of God’s commands became a trap for Judah (II Kgs. 12:3; Deut. 12:13,14). Troubled by this reversal, Zechariah, most likely the grandson of Jehoiada, (see Matt 23:35 and recall Jehoiada was 130 years old when he died), warned them: “Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you” (24:20).
To his shame Joash slew Zechariah, his second cousin. He remembered not the kindness Jehoiada had showed him as a child.
A despised end
Later when Hazael threatened to attack Jerusalem, Joash bribed him with temple treasures not to attack (II Kgs. 12:17,18).
Eventually a small company of Syrians, sent by God, attacked and destroyed a large host of the princes of Judah. It seems that Joash was injured in the battle and his servants, Zabad and Jehozabad, sons of foreign women, used the opportunity to assassinate him (24:25,26). His dishonorable death speaks of the depth to which he had fallen and God’s judgment upon him.
The burial sites of Jehoiada and Joash clearly define their relative worth to Judah Joash, like two other idolatrous kings of Judah, Jehoram and Ahaz, was not worthy to be buried in the sepulchers of the kings (II Chron 24 25, 21 20, 28 27) Yet Jehoiada, the priest, for the good he had done, was buried m the city of David among the kings
Jehoiada’s long life is also an indication of his service to the Lord (Deut 30 20) He had lived through the reign of every king of Judah, (Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah), since Rehoboam.
Let us ourselves appreciate the faithful brothers and sisters who have been mentors to us while we were young Their faithful advice will help us do good toward God and our family The shifting advice of others in the world often leads us m the opposite direction.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One