Who was Zechariah the son of Jehoiada in this passage?

Zechariah here is the son of Jehoiada the priest, the man who had protected Joash as a child and helped place him on the throne. Zechariah is a priest and a prophet, moved by the Spirit of God to speak to the people. He stands above the crowd in the temple area and delivers God’s message, asking why they are breaking God’s commands and warning that they cannot prosper while they forsake the Lord. His death by stoning in the temple court shows how far Joash and the leaders have turned from God and from gratitude.

What was happening in Judah after Jehoiada died?

After Jehoiada died, the princes of Judah came to Joash, bowed before him, and won his favor. With Jehoiada gone, their hidden desire for idolatry came into the open. Joash listened to them and they left the house of the Lord, turning away from temple worship. They began to serve idols in groves and on high places. Because of this sin, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem. Still, God kindly sent prophets to warn them and call them back, but they refused to listen and kept going in their rebellion.

Why did Joash turn from God and have Zechariah killed?

Joash had depended on Jehoiada’s guidance for years. Once Jehoiada died, Joash listened instead to flattering princes who wanted freedom to worship idols. When Zechariah, Jehoiada’s own son, stood up in the temple and spoke God’s warning, he challenged their new path. Rather than repent, the leaders felt threatened and hardened their hearts. They plotted together and, with Joash’s command, stoned Zechariah in the temple court. This showed Joash’s deep ingratitude for Jehoiada’s kindness and his refusal to accept correction, even when it came clearly from God.

What does “because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you” mean?

This line from Zechariah’s message explains the result of turning away from God. The people had left God’s house, stopped his worship, and turned to idols. Zechariah tells them that since they have chosen to abandon the Lord, they should not expect his help or blessing. It does not mean God is changeable or unfair, but that he responds to their choice. If they walk away from him, they lose his protection and favor. It is a warning that breaking God’s commands and replacing him with idols leads to loss, trouble, and judgment.

Why is Zechariah stoned in the court of the house of the LORD?

Zechariah is stoned right in the court of the house of the Lord because that is where he had stood to speak God’s message. He was above the people, likely in a place used for public teaching, when he rebuked them for breaking God’s commands. Instead of respecting the holy place and the word from God, they use that very court to kill him. This makes the sin even heavier, because they shed innocent, prophetic blood in the sacred area where God was worshiped. It shows how hardened they had become and why judgment would follow.

What does this story show about God’s character?

This story shows that God is patient and gracious but also just. Even after Judah turned to idols, God did not strike them at once. He sent prophets to warn them and tried to bring them back. He gave them clear words through Zechariah, explaining why they could not prosper while breaking his commands. When they ignored every warning and even killed his servant in his own house, judgment came. God’s anger is not sudden or unfair. It comes after many chances to repent. He cares about how people treat his word and his messengers.

How does Joash’s treatment of Jehoiada’s family warn us about ingratitude?

Joash owed his life and his throne to Jehoiada, who hid him as a child, supported him, and guided him in serving God. Yet when Jehoiada died, Joash quickly forgot this kindness. He listened to new voices, left God’s ways, and even ordered the death of Jehoiada’s son. The passage points out that Joash did not remember Jehoiada’s kindness. This warns us how easily a heart can grow cold and ungrateful when it turns from God. Forgetting past mercy can lead to harsh, even cruel choices, especially when we reject those who speak truth to us.

What does Zechariah mean when he says, “The LORD look upon it, and require it”?

As Zechariah is dying, he calls out, “The LORD look upon it, and require it.” He is asking God to see the injustice of his death and to deal with it. He is not speaking from petty revenge, but from a sense that God is a just judge who will not ignore the shedding of innocent blood. The word “require” here means to call it to account or bring it up for judgment. His words look ahead to God’s coming response, showing that such sin will not be forgotten or left without consequence.

How can a believer today apply the warning in this passage?

This passage warns against drifting from God when a strong spiritual influence is gone. Joash did well while Jehoiada lived, but his faith seemed tied to that one man. When Jehoiada died, Joash listened to flattering voices and turned to idols. For a believer today, this encourages a real, personal walk with God that does not depend only on certain leaders or friends. It also warns us to receive correction humbly and not harden ourselves against God’s word, especially when it challenges our comfort or the crowd’s opinion.

2Chr.24.17

2 Chronicles 24:17

KJV

Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.

The Wickedness of Joash

Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.

And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.

Cross References

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