2 Chronicles Chapter 24

At a Glance

  • Young Joash inherits the throne of Judah at seven, guided by the faithful priest Jehoiada.
  • The narrative then transitions from fundraising to reconstruction.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • This chapter sits in the Deuteronomistic history tradition that documents kings and their faithfulness to the covenant.
  • - Covenant fidelity and reform: Joash’s deep-rooted commitment to the LORD under Jehoiada’s guidance demonstrates how faithful leadership catalyzes national renewal.

Chapter Overview

Young Joash inherits the throne of Judah at seven, guided by the faithful priest Jehoiada. The chapter opens with a promising beginning: Joash does what is right in the sight of the LORD throughout Jehoiada’s long period of influence. With the priestly mentorship, Joash undertakes a grand restoration project—the repair of the house of the LORD. He mobilizes the priests and Levites, calls for a nationwide collection, and enacts systematic governance over the funding process. Yet the chapter also exposes a fragile dynamic: the Levites stall in their duties, and the king’s plan to fund temple repair depends on the faithful administration of money already entrusted to the temple complex. The crisis intensifies as the memory of Athaliah’s desecration of the house resurfaces; the chest for offerings is created and placed at the gate, and the people respond with generosity, bringing in abundance.

The narrative then transitions from fundraising to reconstruction. Joash and Jehoiada allocate funds to skilled labor—masons and carpenters—and the house of the LORD is repaired. The story also highlights loyalty and political risk: the cleansing and reform are tied to the fidelity of the priestly leadership. The chapter culminates with a return to temple worship and the reestablishment of proper rites, though the seedbed of later apostasy is already visible in the strength of the reforms married to a single righteous, elderly priest’s influence. The overarching arc is one of renewal and restoration, rooted in faithful leadership, communal generosity, and reverent worship, all under the umbrella of covenant faithfulness to Yahweh.

Historical & Literary Context

This chapter sits in the Deuteronomistic history tradition that documents kings and their faithfulness to the covenant. Written from a perspective that emphasizes temple-centered worship and adherence to Mosaic law, 2 Chronicles tends to recount the kings through a lens of temple reform and religious fidelity. The early part of Joash’s reign is set against the isolated, yet potent, reform era under Jehoiada, highlighting the role of priestly influence in political life. The book as a whole emphasizes the temple as the locus of Israel’s identity; when kings ally with priests and the people respond to godly leadership, worship flourishes. In 24:1–28, the historical narrative focuses on the rejuvenation of the temple cult and the social arrangements that support it, underscoring the theology that true reform begins with a renewal of worship and covenant loyalty.

Key Themes

- Covenant fidelity and reform: Joash’s deep-rooted commitment to the LORD under Jehoiada’s guidance demonstrates how faithful leadership catalyzes national renewal.

- Leadership partnership: The priest–king alliance reveals that spiritual and political authority can collaborate to restore worship and order.

- Restoration through disciplined stewardship: Systematic collection, transparent use of funds, and skilled craftsmanship underline the value of faithful administration in service to worship.

- Memory and danger: Athaliah’s memory looms as a cautionary backdrop; the restoration seeks to prevent a relapse into idolatry by re-establishing proper worship.

- Delicate dependence on leadership: The reforms depend on ongoing integrity and accountability; the story hints at fragility once Jehoiada’s influence wanes.

Modern Application

This chapter speaks to contemporary communities about the power of faithful leadership in catalyzing renewal. It emphasizes the importance of clear governance structures, accountable stewardship, and transparent processes when undertaking large, sacred projects. The coupling of devotion to God with practical administration shows that authentic worship isn’t merely private piety but public trust—funding, planning, and skilled work aimed at honoring God. The Joash–Jehoiada partnership also invites reflection on intergenerational faith: a younger king guided by an elder priest demonstrates how mentorship, fidelity, and shared vision sustain spiritual transformation. In today’s church and faith communities, the chapter invites us to ask: Are our institutions aligned with a genuine reverence for God? Do we cultivate leaders who model integrity, and do we implement systems that prevent money or resources from distorting the worship of God?

Cross-References

- 2 Kings 11–12 (Jehoiada’s leadership and temple restoration)

- 2 Chronicles 23 (Joash’s ascent and the priestly coalition)

- Haggai 1–2 or Ezra 3–4 (themes of temple rebuilding and temple-centered renewal)

- Malachi 3 (offering, accountability, and covenant fidelity)

Recommended Personas

- Jehoiada (the priest)

- David (as a king who honors proper worship)

- Ezra (restoration and temple-focused leadership)

- Jesus (parabolic reflection on genuine worship and stewardship)

- Paul (principles of ecclesial leadership, accountability, and collective mission)

Chapter Text

1

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.

2

And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD 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 repair the house of the LORD.

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 collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

7

For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.

8

And at the king’s commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.

9

And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection 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

Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his 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 the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

13

So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.

14

And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

15

But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an 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, both toward God, and toward 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 left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.

19

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; 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, which stood above the people, and said unto 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.

21

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

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, The LORD look upon it, and require it.

23

And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria 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 the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.

25

And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) 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 an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

27

Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

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