Joash (King of Judah)

Technical Profile

Name Meaning: Hebrew Yôʾāš (“Yahweh has given”), reflecting divine bestowal language in Judah’s naming practices.
Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (Southern Kingdom of Judah), 9th century BC.
Main References: 2 Kings 11–12; 2 Chronicles 22:10–24:27.
Key Connections: Son of Ahaziah (House of David); preserved by Jehosheba; guided by Jehoiada the priest; opposed by Athaliah.

Who was Joash (King of Judah)?

Joash was a Davidic king of Judah who survived Athaliah’s royal purge as an infant and was hidden in the temple precincts.
He was crowned while still a child through Jehoiada’s covenantal reforms and began his reign with temple-focused restoration.
After Jehoiada’s death, his rule shifted as he tolerated idolatrous practices and rejected prophetic correction.

Key Events & Achievements

Event 1: Preserved from Athaliah’s massacre and publicly enthroned in Jerusalem under priestly guardianship (2 Kings 11; 2 Chron. 23).
Event 2: Organized collection and repair work for the temple, establishing administrative oversight for funds (2 Kings 12:4–16; 2 Chron. 24:4–14).
Event 3: Turned from earlier reforms, leading to internal violence and his eventual assassination (2 Chron. 24:17–27; 2 Kings 12:17–21).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Joash’s reign illustrates how royal policy in Judah could be shaped by priestly guidance and later destabilized by abandoning covenant-centered worship.

Key Verse

“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” — 2 Kings 12:2, ESV

Quizzes

Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.

1. How did Joash survive Athaliah’s royal purge when he was an infant?

2. What major change is described in Joash’s rule after Jehoiada the priest died?