Jehoash (King of Israel)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Yeho’ash (“Yahweh has given”), reflecting a theophoric name element.
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (Northern Kingdom of Israel), 9th–8th century BC.
• Main References: 2 Kings 13:10–25; 2 Kings 14:8–16; 2 Chronicles 25:17–24.
• Key Connections: Son of Jehoahaz of Israel; interaction with the prophet Elisha; military conflict with Amaziah king of Judah.

Who was Jehoash (King of Israel)?

Jehoash (also spelled Joash) was a king of the northern kingdom of Israel, ruling in Samaria.
He succeeded his father Jehoahaz and continued Israel’s dynastic line during pressure from Aram.
His reign is noted for contact with Elisha near the prophet’s death and for warfare with Judah.

Key Events & Achievements

• Elisha’s final oracle: Consulted the dying Elisha and acted out a symbolic sign concerning victories over Aram (2 Kings 13:14–19).
• Recovering cities from Aram: Defeated Ben-hadad of Aram and regained Israelite cities previously taken (2 Kings 13:25).
• Conflict with Judah: Defeated Amaziah of Judah at Beth-shemesh and took treasures and hostages from Jerusalem (2 Kings 14:11–14; 2 Chron. 25:21–24).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Jehoash’s reign shows how Israel’s political and military outcomes were repeatedly framed in relation to prophetic word within the Divided Kingdom.

Key Verse

"He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and hostages also, and he returned to Samaria." — 2 Kings 14:14, ESV