Joash's Apostasy, Punishment, and Assassination
2 Chronicles 24:17-27
2 C.24.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחרי: CONJ
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- יהוידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אז: ADV
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:17 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and bowed to the king, and the king hearkened to them — the same episode in the Deuteronomistic history.
- 2 Kings 12:20-21 (structural): Immediate narrative consequence in the Kings account: because the king hearkened to the princes a conspiracy arose and Joash was later slain — continuation of the same sequence begun in 2 Chr 24:17.
- 2 Chronicles 24:18-22 (structural): Direct continuation within Chronicles: the princes' influence leads to opposition against God's prophet (Zechariah son of Jehoiada) and further synoptic actions that precipitate Joash’s downfall.
- 1 Kings 12:6-11 (thematic): Parallel theme of a ruler choosing poor counsel over faithful/advising elders — Rehoboam’s decision to follow youthful advisers rather than the elders echoes the motif of a king swayed by wrong counselors with harmful consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- After the death of Jehoiada, the chiefs of Judah came and bowed down to the king; then the king heeded them.
- After the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king; then the king listened to them.
2 C.24.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעזבו: VERB,qal,wayq,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבותיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- ויעבדו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- האשרים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- העצבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירושלם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באשמתם: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,pl
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 36:14-16 (verbal): Later chronicler's summary of Judah's leaders and people profaning the house of the LORD, serving idols, and incurring God's wrath—closely repeats the same charge and consequence.
- 2 Kings 17:10-11 (thematic): Describes Israel abandoning the LORD and serving Asherim and other idols, provoking the LORD's anger and leading to judgment (exile)—parallel in content and cause-effect.
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Early pattern: the people forsake Yahweh and serve Baals and Ashtaroth, bringing God's anger and oppression—a recurring motif echoed in 2 Chr 24:18.
- Ezekiel 8:6-12 (allusion): Vision showing elders/people committing idolatry in the house of the LORD (Asherah/household images) and provoking divine judgment—an intensified prophetic portrayal of the same offense.
- 2 Kings 21:11-15 (thematic): Reports Manasseh's idolatry in Judah (including Asherah and images) and announces that the LORD's anger will bring disaster on Jerusalem—parallels the link between temple-abandonment, idol worship, and wrath.
Alternative generated candidates
- They forsook the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. Wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of this guilt.
- They forsook the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the carved images; and great wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.
2 C.24.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- נבאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- להשיבם: VERB,hif,infc,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעידו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- האזינו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chr.36:15 (verbal): Almost identical motif and language: the LORD repeatedly sent his messengers/prophets to the people, but they did not listen (compassionate warnings ignored).
- Jer.7:25 (verbal): Jeremiah records the same pattern—God persistently sent his servants the prophets to call the people back, yet they would not heed the warnings.
- Zech.1:4-6 (thematic): Zechariah admonishes Israel not to imitate their ancestors who refused to listen to the former prophets, echoing the theme of prophetic witness rejected.
- Acts 7:51-52 (allusion): Stephen accuses his audience of resisting the Holy Spirit as their ancestors did—persecuting and rejecting the prophets God sent—paralleling the rejection described in 2 Chr 24:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then prophets were sent among them to bring them back to the LORD; they testified against them, but they would not listen.
- Then the LORD sent prophets among them to bring them back to the LORD, and they testified against them, but they would not listen.
2 C.24.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ורוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- זכריה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מעל: PREP
- לעם: PREP
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- למה: ADV
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- תצליחו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- עזבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעזב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (verbal): Azariah's rebuke to Asa contains the near-verbatim clause about forsaking God and God forsaking them ('if ye forsake him, he will forsake you'), reflecting the same admonitory formula and theology.
- Judges 2:11-15 (thematic): Narrative pattern: Israel 'forsook the LORD' and served other gods, and as a consequence God 'gave them into the hand' of enemies — parallels Zechariah's warning that transgression of the LORD's commands brings ruin and loss of divine favor.
- Deuteronomy 28:15,20 (structural): Covenant framework: Deuteronomy sets out that disobedience produces curses and lack of prosperity. Zechariah's linkage of sin with failure echoes this covenantal cause-effect structure.
- Matthew 23:35 (allusion): Jesus speaks of the blood of 'Zechariah' murdered between altar and sanctuary. This is commonly read as an allusion to the martyred Zechariah son of Jehoiada in 2 Chr 24 (though Matthew names him 'son of Berechiah'), linking the Chronicles account to later New Testament accusation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, “Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD? You will not prosper; for you have forsaken the LORD, and he will forsake you.”
- Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest; he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD? You will not prosper, for you have forsaken the LORD, and he will forsake you.”
2 C.24.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקשרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- וירגמהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl,obj:3,m,sg
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במצות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בחצר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Luke 11:51 (verbal): Jesus cites “the blood of Zechariah” (alongside Abel) — an explicit New Testament reference to the murder of Zechariah, linking his death to the history of prophets slain for speaking truth.
- Matthew 23:35 (verbal): Parallel wording to Luke: Jesus indicts the leaders for shedding “the blood of Zechariah,” alluding to the chronicled killing of the prophet in the temple precincts.
- Jeremiah 26:23 (thematic): Reports that Uriah the prophet was seized and put to death at the king’s command—a close thematic parallel of a prophet executed by royal authority.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (structural): Immediate narrative context: these verses recount Zechariah’s prophecy, his being bound and stoned at the king’s command, and his ensuing death (direct continuation of v.21).
Alternative generated candidates
- They bound him and stoned him with stones at the command of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
- They conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the command of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
2 C.24.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- זכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- החסד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויהרג: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- וכמותו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וידרש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 (verbal): Same narrative event: Zechariah son of Jehoiada is reproving the people and is stoned to death in the court of the house of the LORD — directly explains 'he killed his son' in v.22.
- 2 Chronicles 24:25 (thematic): Immediate outcome of Joash's rejection of Jehoiada and the murder of Zechariah: Joash is later assassinated by his servants—divine retribution theme.
- Matthew 23:35 (allusion): Jesus references 'the blood of Zechariah' (martyred between altar and sanctuary) as a catalogue of righteous blood shed, commonly identified with Zechariah son of Jehoiada of 2 Chronicles.
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (thematic): General theme of the people and leaders rejecting and murdering God's prophets, which provokes divine judgment—parallels the killing of Zechariah and its consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- And King Joash did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada his father had shown him; he killed his son. Then he said, “May the LORD see and require it.”
- But King Joash did not remember the loyalty that Jehoiada his father had shown him; he struck down his son. As he lay dying one cried, “May the LORD see and require it.”
2 C.24.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לתקופת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- השנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירושלם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישחיתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעם: PREP
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- שללם: NOUN,m,sg,suff3p
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דרמשק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:17-18 (quotation): Direct parallel account in Kings: Aramean (Syrian) forces come against Jerusalem, break into the city/house, seize spoil and officials, and send the plunder to the king of Damascus — Chronicles essentially repeats this report.
- 2 Chronicles 28:5-6 (thematic): Another episode in Chronicles where the king of Syria (with allies) defeats Judah, kills its warriors and carries off plunder — thematically parallels the pattern of Syrian incursions and devastation of Judah.
- 2 Kings 8:12-13 (thematic): Background on Hazael’s violent rise and cruelty toward Israel and neighboring states; provides context for the same Aramean king (or his forces) who later attack Judah and seize spoil.
- Isaiah 7:1-2 (thematic): Prophetic report of Rezin king of Syria allying with Israel to threaten Jerusalem — another instance of Syrian pressure from the north that parallels the chronicled Aramean attacks on Judah.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the time came, the host of Aram rose up against him; they came to Judah and Jerusalem and struck down all the leaders of the people. All their spoil they sent to the king of Damascus.
- In the course of the year the army of Aram came up against him; they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and they destroyed all the leaders of the people; and all their spoil they sent to the king of Damascus.
2 C.24.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- במצער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בידם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- עזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבותיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:17-18 (verbal): Direct narrative parallel in the Deuteronomistic history: describes Aramean attacks on Judah during Joash's reign and Judah being delivered into enemy hands, corresponding closely to Chronicles' report.
- Judges 2:14-15 (thematic): Illustrates the recurring Deuteronomic pattern: Israel's abandonment of the LORD leads to deliverance into the hands of oppressors as divine punishment.
- 2 Chronicles 36:16-17 (verbal): Later chronicler's summary of Judah's fall: because the people rejected God's prophets and forsook the LORD, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar—uses the same causative language linking apostasy to being handed over to enemies.
- Psalm 78:59-61 (thematic): Communal lament that God, provoked by Israel's unfaithfulness, handed them over to surrounding nations—echoes the motif of divine retribution resulting in enemy domination.
Alternative generated candidates
- For bands of the Arameans had come; the LORD gave them into their hand a very great force, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, and had made Joash their rulers.
- For the forces of Aram came in the time of the nation’s distress, and the LORD delivered them into their hand in great might, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 C.24.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובלכתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- במחלוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- התקשרו: VERB,hithpael,perf,3,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- בדמי: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יהוידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהרגהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- על: PREP
- מטתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויקברהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,obj=3m
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- קברהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בקברות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:20-21 (verbal): Direct Kings account of Joash’s assassination and burial—same basic details that his servants conspired and killed him and he was buried in the city of David but not in the royal tombs.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (structural): Immediate context in Chronicles: the murder of Zechariah son of Jehoiada is recounted here and provides the motive cited in 24:25 (‘for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada’), connecting Joash’s death to prior violence.
- 2 Chronicles 33:20 (verbal): Parallel wording and theme about a king’s burial ‘not in the sepulchres of the kings’ (here of Manasseh), showing a recurring evaluative motif linking burial place to royal/legitimacy judgment.
- Luke 11:51 (allusion): New Testament reference to ‘the blood of Zechariah’ (from Abel to Zechariah) alludes to the murder of prophetic/priestly figures like Zechariah son of Jehoiada, thematically linking prophetic martyrdom and culpability.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they had gone from him—because they had forsaken him—many conspired against him. His servants conspired in the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest; they struck him down on his bed, and he died. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
- When they departed from him, for they had forsaken him and plundered much, his servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest; they struck him down on his bed and he died. They buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.
2 C.24.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- המתקשרים: VERB,hitpael,part,3,m,pl,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- זבד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- העמונית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויהוזבד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמרית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המואבית: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:20-21 (verbal): Parallel account of the conspiracy and assassination of Joash/Jehoash; Kings recounts the same event (the king's servants conspiring and killing him).
- 2 Chronicles 24:25-27 (structural): Immediate context in Chronicles describing Joash's apostasy, Jehoiada's death, and the subsequent conspiracy and killing—this verse naming the conspirators is part of that unit.
- 2 Samuel 4:5-7 (thematic): Example of royal assassination by the king's own servants (Rechab and Baanah killing Ish-bosheth), paralleling the motif of servants conspiring against and murdering a ruler.
- 1 Kings 16:9-10 (thematic): Zimri, a military commander, conspires and kills King Elah—another instance of palace/military insiders murdering a king, comparable in motive and method to Joash’s assassins.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now those who conspired against him were Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonite and Jehozabad son of Shomereth the Moabite.
- The men who conspired against him were Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad son of Shomereth the Moabitess.
2 C.24.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובניו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ירב: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- המשא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויסוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- מדרש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אמציהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:17-21 (verbal): Parallel historical account of Joash (Jehoash): his reign, conspiracy against him and his death, and the succession—Kings provides a corresponding narrative to Chronicles' summary.
- 2 Chronicles 24:25 (thematic): Immediate chapter parallel giving the details of the conspiracy, Joash’s death and burial—Chronicles here supplies fuller event material that 24:27 then summarizes and cites the book of the kings.
- 2 Chronicles 26:22 (verbal): Uses the same formulaic citation of external records ('are written in the book of the kings') to point readers to fuller accounts of a king’s acts—same historiographical practice as 24:27.
- 1 Kings 11:41 (structural): Another example of the royal summary formula ('the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of...')—shows the common biblical convention of referring readers to other annals for fuller royal records.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of the matters concerning Joash and the restoration of the house of God are written in the chronicle of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his place.
- His sons increased the burden upon the people. The institutions concerning the house of God are written in the records of the book of the kings. And his son Amaziah reigned in his place.
After Jehoiada died the princes of Judah came and bowed themselves to the king; and the king listened to them.
They forsook the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their sin.
He sent prophets among them to bring them back to the LORD, and they testified against them; but they would not listen.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest; he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD? You shall not prosper, for you have forsaken the LORD, and he will forsake you.”
They bound him and stoned him with stones at the king’s command in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
Yet King Joash did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada his father had shown him; he put his son to death. As he died he said, “May the LORD see and requite it.”
In the course of the year the army of Aram rose up against him; they came into Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people, and all their spoil they carried off to the king of Damascus.
For the Aramean force came upon them in a time of distress, and the LORD delivered them into their hand—a very great host—because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. And as they turned away from him—because they had forsaken him in many transgressions—his own servants conspired against him in the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest; they struck him down on his bed, and he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. Now those who conspired against him were Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonite and Jehozabad son of Shomereth the Moabite.
The account of his sons and the restoration of the house of God are written in the chronicle of the book of the kings. And his son Amaziah reigned in his place.