Joash the boy king 1
Both Judah and Israel had many evil kings. When King Ahaziah of Judah died, his mother Athaliah wanted to be queen. So she ordered all her grandsons be killed so she could rule.
Joash the boy king 2
However one of the grandsons, a one-year-old child called Joash, escaped the killings. His aunt, Jehosheba, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, saved Joash by keeping him hidden in one of the room of the Temple for six years.
Joash the boy king 3
When Joash became seven, Jehoiada carried out a plan to make the young boy king. Protected by soldiers, he crowned Joash as king by anointing his head with oil. Everyone shouted, ‘Long live the king.’
Joash the boy king 4
Hearing the noise, Athaliah hurried to the Temple. When she saw Joash she torn her clothes and shouted, ‘Treason!’ Soldiers were ordered to lead her out of the Temple to be executed.
Joash the boy king 5
Jehoiada the priest had the boy king Joash and the people of Judah make a covenant with the Lord. They promised again that they would love and obey the Lord God.
Joash the boy king 6
Then the people went to the temple of Baal and smashed it down. They destroyed the altars and broke the idols into pieces. The false priests of Baal were killed in front of the altars.
Joash the boy king 7
After several years Joash decided to repair the Lord’s temple. He ordered priests to collect money for making the repairs. However many years passed and no repair work was done.
Joash the boy king 8
Finally Joash decided he must do something, so he had a large box placed by the Temple gate. When the people came to offer sacrifices, they were encouraged to put their gift of money into the box.
Joash the boy king 9
The money collected was used to pay the carpenters and stonemasons and metal workers to repair the temple. Before long, the Temple was looking as clean and beautiful as before.
Joash the boy king 10
As long as Jehoiada the priest was alive, sacrifices were made in the temple every day. But when he died, the people stopped going to the Temple and tuned back to their evil ways. They began worshipping the goddess Asherah.
Joash the boy king 11
The Lord sent Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada to warn King Joash. He announced, ‘As you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’ This made Joash very angry and he ordered Zechariah to be taken out and stoned to death.
Joash the boy king 12
Later that year, the Syrian army attacked Judah and Jerusalem. King Joash was wounded in the battle. While recovering from his wounds in bed, he was murdered by two men who had been friends of Zechariah.
Joash the boy king
Joash becomes king of Judah at the age of seven with the help of Jehoiada the priest.
2 Kings 11:1 - 12:21
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