Who is Jehoash (Joash) son of Jehoahaz in this passage?

Jehoash, also called Joash, is the king of Israel mentioned here. He is the son of Jehoahaz and rules from Samaria for sixteen years while another king named Joash rules in Judah. His life story in this short section is brief, but other parts of Scripture show him visiting the prophet Elisha and fighting against the Syrians. This passage mainly gives the dates of his reign, his moral record before God, mention of his wars, and how his reign ended when he died and his son Jeroboam took the throne.

What does it mean that Jehoash did evil in the sight of the Lord?

When it says Jehoash did evil in the sight of the Lord, it means he did not turn away from the false worship started by Jeroboam son of Nebat. He kept the same kind of idol worship that had led Israel into sin for many years. Outwardly he may have been a strong king in battle, but God’s verdict on his life is tied to his continued idolatry. This shows that God cares more about faithfulness to Him than about military success or human praise.

What are the sins of Jeroboam that Jehoash walked in?

The sins of Jeroboam refer to the false worship that Jeroboam son of Nebat set up when the kingdom first split. He made golden calves and other practices that drew people away from true worship of the Lord. Jehoash did not stop these things but followed the same path. So when the passage says he walked in Jeroboam’s sins, it means he kept the same wrong religion and led the people to continue in it, instead of bringing them back to faithful worship of God.

Why are the rest of Jehoash’s acts written in another book?

The passage says that the rest of Jehoash’s acts, including how he fought Amaziah king of Judah, were written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. That book was a royal record that listed the events of each king’s reign. Scripture often points to these records when it does not repeat every detail. Here the focus is not to give a full war story, but to give God’s view of Jehoash’s life, which centers on his continued sin and his place in Israel’s history.

Who is the Jeroboam that sat on Joash’s throne after his death?

The Jeroboam mentioned at the end of this passage is the son of Jehoash (Joash), not the earlier Jeroboam son of Nebat. He takes his father’s throne after Jehoash dies and is buried in Samaria. This verse simply notes that after Jehoash slept with his fathers, Jeroboam sat on his throne.

What does this short passage teach about how God views kings?

This passage shows that God looks beyond power and war stories to the heart and faithfulness of a king. Jehoash may have had strength in battle and many deeds written in royal records, but God’s summary of his life is that he did evil and continued in the sins of Jeroboam. The length of his reign and his victories do not change that verdict. This reminds us that God’s measure of a life is whether a person turns from sin and walks in His ways, not just what they achieve.

2Kgs.13.10

2 Kings 13:10

KJV

¶ In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.

Jehoash Reigns in Israel

¶ In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.

And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

Cross References

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