Jehoash, also known as Joash, was the king of Israel who reigned during the 8th century BC. His reign is noted for a series of military victories that were significant in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. These victories are primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Background

Jehoash was the son of Jehoahaz and the grandson of Jehu. He ascended to the throne of Israel during a time when the nation was under significant pressure from the Arameans. The Arameans, under King Hazael and later his son Ben-Hadad, had been a persistent threat to Israel, reducing its territory and power.

Prophetic Encouragement

The prophet Elisha played a crucial role in encouraging Jehoash to pursue victory over the Arameans. As Elisha lay on his deathbed, Jehoash visited him, weeping over the impending loss of the prophet. Elisha instructed Jehoash to take a bow and arrows and shoot an arrow out of the east window, symbolizing the Lord's deliverance over Aram. Elisha then told Jehoash to strike the ground with the arrows. Jehoash struck the ground three times, which Elisha interpreted as a limitation on the number of victories Jehoash would achieve over Aram (2 Kings 13:14-19).

Military Campaigns

Jehoash's military campaigns against the Arameans were marked by a series of victories that restored Israelite cities and territory. According to 2 Kings 13:25 , "Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recaptured from Ben-Hadad son of Hazael the cities that had been taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Three times Jehoash defeated him, and so he recovered the cities of Israel."

These victories were seen as a fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy and a testament to the Lord's mercy towards Israel despite their ongoing idolatry and disobedience. The victories allowed Israel to regain some of its former strength and territory, providing a temporary reprieve from foreign domination.

Conflict with Judah

In addition to his campaigns against Aram, Jehoash also engaged in conflict with the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This is notably recorded in 2 Kings 14:8-14 , where Jehoash challenged Amaziah, king of Judah, leading to a battle at Beth Shemesh. Jehoash defeated Amaziah, captured him, and proceeded to break down a section of the wall of Jerusalem. He also seized treasures from the temple and the royal palace, further asserting his dominance.

Legacy

Jehoash's victories are a significant part of his legacy, demonstrating both the fulfillment of prophetic words and the complex political and military landscape of the time. His reign, though marked by military success, was also characterized by the continued spiritual decline of Israel, as the people persisted in the sins of Jeroboam, worshiping the golden calves and other idols. Despite these spiritual failings, Jehoash's victories provided a measure of stability and recovery for the Northern Kingdom during his reign.