The Servants of Joash play a significant role in the narrative of King Joash of Judah, particularly in the events leading to his assassination. Joash, also known as Jehoash, was the son of Ahaziah and became king at a young age after being hidden from the murderous rampage of Athaliah by his aunt Jehosheba and the high priest Jehoiada (2 Kings 11:2-3). His reign is marked by both religious reform and eventual apostasy, which ultimately led to his downfall.

Religious Reforms and Apostasy

Initially, under the guidance of Jehoiada, Joash was a reformer who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and repair the temple in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 12:2 states, "All the days that Jehoiada the priest instructed him, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD." However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash's reign took a turn for the worse. Influenced by the officials of Judah, he abandoned the house of the LORD and served idols, leading to divine wrath against Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 24:17-18).

The Role of the Servants

The servants of Joash are most notably mentioned in the context of his assassination. After the prophet Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, rebuked the people for their idolatry, Joash ordered his execution, an act that marked a significant departure from his earlier piety (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). This betrayal of Jehoiada's family sowed seeds of discontent among his own servants.

The Bible records that Joash was assassinated by his servants in a conspiracy. 2 Kings 12:20-21 recounts, "His servants conspired against him and killed Joash at Beth-millo, on the road that goes down to Silla. His servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died." The motivation for this conspiracy is attributed to Joash's betrayal and the bloodshed of Jehoiada's son, as noted in 2 Chronicles 24:25 : "Because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, they killed him on his bed."

Significance

The assassination of Joash by his servants underscores the themes of divine justice and retribution that are prevalent throughout the biblical narrative. Joash's initial faithfulness and subsequent apostasy serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of turning away from God and the consequences of forsaking righteous leadership. The actions of his servants, while violent, are portrayed as a fulfillment of divine justice for the blood of Zechariah, highlighting the biblical principle that God holds leaders accountable for their actions and the shedding of innocent blood.

The account of Joash and his servants serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfastness in faith and the perils of succumbing to ungodly influences, a lesson that resonates throughout the biblical text.