Jehoash of Judah, also known as Joash, was the seventh king of Judah and ruled from around 835 to 796 BC. He was the youngest son of Ahaziah and Athaliah, who was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel. Jehoash came to the throne at the age of seven, after his grandmother Athaliah was killed.
Early Years
During the early years of Jehoash's reign, he was under the guidance of the high priest Jehoiada. Jehoiada was instrumental in saving Jehoash from his grandmother Athaliah's wrath, and helped him become king. Under Jehoiada's guidance, Jehoash restored the temple and reinstituted the worship of the Lord in Judah.
Reforms and Achievements
Jehoash implemented several important reforms during his reign. He repaired the temple and reinstated the Levitical priests and musicians. He also ordered the collection of funds to be used for the maintenance of the temple and the payment of the priests and Levites. Jehoash also ordered the writing of a new copy of the law and had it read to the people.
Another significant achievement of Jehoash was his victory over the Arameans. He defeated them three times and recovered several cities that had been lost during the reign of his father and grandfather. Jehoash also established a stronger alliance with Israel by marrying his son to the daughter of King Jehu of Israel.
Downfall
Despite his early successes, Jehoash's reign ended in tragedy. After the death of Jehoiada, Jehoash turned away from the Lord and began to worship other gods. He also persecuted the prophets, including Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who had been instrumental in his rise to power. As a result, Jehoash was assassinated by his own officials.
Legacy
Despite his downfall, Jehoash left a lasting legacy. His reforms helped to restore the worship of the Lord in Judah and his victories over the Arameans helped to strengthen the kingdom. Jehoash also played a role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as he was an ancestor of both Mary and Joseph.
Conclusion
Jehoash of Judah was a significant figure in the history of Israel. His early years were marked by the guidance of the high priest Jehoiada, who helped him restore the temple and reinstitute the worship of the Lord. Jehoash implemented several important reforms and achieved significant victories over the Arameans. However, his downfall came when he turned away from the Lord and began to worship other gods. Despite this, Jehoash left a lasting legacy and played a role in the lineage of Jesus Christ.