Study notes

2 Chronicles 24

Introducing 2 ChroniclesWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

21:4–24:27 Section

Neither Jehoram nor Ahaziah led the southern kingdom the way kings were supposed to. Elijah’s letter to Jehoram made something very clear. God brought judgement against kings who didn’t worship God and follow the Law of Moses.

Yet God had promised to keep the lamp of David’s kingdom burning brightly. This meant that God didn’t want David’s family line to be destroyed. He wanted a son from David’s family line to rule as king for ever. God didn’t allow Athaliah to kill everyone in David’s family line who could be king.

God used Jehosheba and Jehoiada to save Joash. Jehoiada made sure that the Law of Moses was followed. He made sure that the Levites did their duties in the temple. They did them the way that David had appointed them to do.

When David was king, leaders had given very freely for the temple to be built. Under Joash, officials and people brought money and gave it freely. They did this so that the temple could be repaired. The king, people, priests and Levites once again worshipped God in the temple.

But when he was older Joash stopped worshipping God in the temple. He also stopped listening to wise advisors and to messages from God. He had Jehoiada’s son Zechariah killed and was held responsible for this sin. A very small army from Aram did a lot of harm to Judah and Jerusalem. God allowed this to happen as judgement against Joash.

24:1

Joash ruled from 835 to 796 BC.

24:3

Jehoiada selected two wives for Joash, likely to ensure David's royal line had many descendants.

24:4–8

We do not know when Joash first tried to refurbish the temple. After failing to raise funds the first time, Joash called Jehoiada again in the twenty-third year of his reign (2 Kings 12:6). The priests might not have acted because they disagreed about who should fund and oversee the restoration. The king criticized Jehoiada for not acting and suggested a plan to make the offering more voluntary.

24:12–14

The book of Kings states that the money collected for repairing the temple was used only for wages (2 Kings 12:13–14). Chronicles adds that they used the money for temple artifacts only after finishing the repairs.

24:15–16

Living to 130 years shows that Jehoiada received a great blessing from the Lord. His royal burial as a priest-king also shows the people's great respect for him.

24:20–22

Jehoiada carefully protected the Lord’s temple courtyard from bloodshed and preserved David's dynasty. Ironically, Zechariah, his son, was murdered there by King Joash, whom Jehoiada had protected during the coup. Jesus mentioned this murder when criticizing religious leaders (Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51).
“May the LORD see this and call you to account”: This prayer for vengeance was similar to those King David prayed against Saul's injustices (compare Psalms 5:10; 7:9; 9:19–20; 28:4; 56:7; 139:19; see also “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).