Introduction:
Joash, also known as Jehoash, is a significant figure in the history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. His account is recorded in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and briefly in the prophetic literature. Joash's reigns in both Judah and Israel are marked by periods of reform, conflict, and ultimately, decline. His life and reign provide insights into the spiritual and political dynamics of the time.

Joash of Judah:

Background and Ascension:
Joash of Judah was the son of Ahaziah and the grandson of Athaliah. His account begins in a time of turmoil. After the death of Ahaziah, Athaliah seized the throne and attempted to exterminate the royal line of David. However, Joash was saved by his aunt Jehosheba, who hid him in the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:1-3). At the age of seven, Joash was anointed king in a coup led by the high priest Jehoiada, who played a crucial role in his early reign (2 Kings 11:4-12).

Reign and Religious Reforms:
Under the guidance of Jehoiada, Joash initiated significant religious reforms. He is noted for restoring the temple, which had fallen into disrepair during Athaliah's reign. Joash instructed the priests to collect funds for the temple's repair, demonstrating his commitment to the worship of Yahweh (2 Kings 12:4-16). The Berean Standard Bible records, "Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days Jehoiada the priest instructed him" (2 Kings 12:2).

Challenges and Decline:
Despite his early successes, Joash's reign faced challenges. After Jehoiada's death, Joash's commitment to Yahweh waned, and he succumbed to the influence of idolatrous officials. This led to the nation's spiritual decline and provoked divine judgment. The prophet Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, rebuked Joash, but the king ordered his execution, an act that marked a turning point in his reign (2 Chronicles 24:17-22).

Joash's later years were marred by political instability. He faced threats from Hazael, king of Aram, and was forced to pay tribute to avoid destruction (2 Kings 12:17-18). Ultimately, Joash was assassinated by his own officials, ending his reign in tragedy (2 Kings 12:20-21).

Joash of Israel:

Background and Ascension:
Joash of Israel, the son of Jehoahaz, reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 13:10-25. Joash ascended the throne during a period of decline and oppression by the Arameans.

Military Campaigns and Achievements:
Joash's reign was marked by military campaigns aimed at reclaiming territories lost to Aram. He sought the counsel of the prophet Elisha, who promised victory over the Arameans. Joash's partial obedience to Elisha's instructions resulted in limited success, as he struck the ground only three times with arrows, symbolizing the number of victories he would achieve (2 Kings 13:14-19).

Despite these limitations, Joash achieved notable victories against Aram, regaining cities previously lost by his father (2 Kings 13:25). His military successes provided temporary relief and stability to Israel.

Legacy:
Joash's reign in Israel, like his counterpart in Judah, was a mixture of success and failure. While he achieved military victories, his spiritual legacy was less commendable. The Berean Standard Bible notes, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit" (2 Kings 13:11).

Conclusion:
The accounts of Joash in both Judah and Israel highlight the complexities of leadership and the consequences of spiritual compromise. His life serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the impact of righteous leadership on a nation's spiritual and political health.Joash or Jehoash

The father of Gideon, of the family of Abiezer, in Manasseh. For a long time he was a worshipper of Baal; but when his son boldly attacked idolatry, he also came out on the Lord's side, Jud 6:11,25-32.

An officer, appointed as keeper of the prophet Micaiah, during Ahab's disastrous war with Syria, 1 Kings 22:26 2 Chronicles 18:1-34.

The eighth king of Judah, B. C. 878-838. He was the only son of Ahaziah who was not slain by the usurping Athaliah, his grandmother. Being rescued by Jehoshebah his aunt, and secluded six years in the temple, he was raised to the throne when seven years of age through the faithful care of Jehoiada; and while this venerable man survived, Joash served God and prospered. Idols were banished, and the temple was repaired. But afterwards he followed less wholesome counsels; idolatry revived; and when Zechariah the high priest rebuked the guilty people, the ungrateful king caused this servant of God, the son of his benefactor, to be stoned to death. Misfortunes soon multiplied on his head; he was repeatedly humbled by the Syrians, and gave them the temple treasures as a ransom; a loathsome disease imbittered his life, which was very soon cut short by a conspiracy of his servants, and he was not buried in the sepulchre of the kings, 2 Kings 11:1-12:21 2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27. The prophet Joel was contemporary with him.

The son and successor of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, B. C. 840-825. There was much in his conduct to commend. He had a great regard for the prophet Elisha, and visited him on his deathbed, where by a divine oracle he was assured of three victories over the Syrians. He was also victorious when forced to give battle to Amaziah king of Judah, and was one of the best of the kings of Israel. The worship of the golden calf, however, still continued during his reign, 2 Kings 13:9-25 14:1-8 2 Chronicles 25:1-28.

3060. Yehoash -- "Yah is strong," the name of several Israelites
... Word Origin from Yhvh and perhaps esh Definition "Yah is strong," the name of
several Isr. NASB Word Usage Jehoash (17), Joash (47). Jehoash. ...
/hebrew/3060.htm - 6k

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... 6. Now after the death of Jehoahaz, his son Joash took the kingdom, in the
thirty-seventh year of Jehoash, the king of the tribe of Judah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

Methodical Liberality
... had not repaired the breaches of the house.7. Then king Jehoash called for ... No doubt
Joash was guided by Jehoiada in setting about the restoration, but the fact ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/methodical liberality.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... The title of his book (Hosea 1:1), where he begins by stating that he preached
"in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash (Jehoash), King of Israel," is a ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... committed to writing his prophecies as early as under the reign of Joash, ie, about
870 ... to 2 Kings 12:18 ff.; 2 Chronicles 24:23 ff., took place under Jehoash. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... [18] What I have above noted concerning Jehoash, seems to me ... afterward, when "God
had saved the Israelites by the hand of Jeroboam, the son of Joash," 2 Kings ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... 12. Jehoash, 2:K.13:10-14:16. Reigned 16 years and died. ... 7. Athaliah, 2:K.11:1-21:
2; 2 Chron, 22;10-23:6. Reigned 6 years and was slain when Joash became king. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... For Five [Six] Years When Jehoiada The High Priest Slew Her And Made Jehoash, The
Son ... And Conquered Them; But When He Afterwards Made War Against Joash, He Was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king of ...
against Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, in 2 Kings 13:2; against Jehoash, in 2 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Appendices
... Jehoshapbat 871 Jeboram 846 Ahaziah or Jehoahaz 842 Athaliah 842 Joash 837 Amaziah ...
Jehu 842 He pays tribute to Assyria 841 Jehoanaz 814 Jehoash 798 Jeroboam II ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Who was Athaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Elisha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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