2 Chronicles 24:22

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus Joash {H3101} the king {H4428} remembered {H2142} not the kindness {H2617} which Jehoiada {H3077} his father {H1} had done {H6213} to him, but slew {H2026} his son {H1121}. And when he died {H4194}, he said {H559}, The LORD {H3068} look {H7200} upon it, and require {H1875} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus Yo'ash the king did not remember the kindness which Y'hoyada, [Z'kharyah's] father, had done for him, but put his son to death. As he was dying he said, "May ADONAI see this and take vengeance!"

Berean Standard Bible

Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”

American Standard Version

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, Jehovah look upon it, and require it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 24:22 records the profound moral and spiritual decline of King Joash of Judah, who, despite being saved and nurtured by the high priest Jehoiada, shockingly ordered the execution of Jehoiada's son, Zechariah. This act of extreme ingratitude and betrayal culminates in Zechariah's dying imprecation, "The LORD look upon it, and require it," a solemn plea for divine justice that foreshadows Joash's swift and tragic end. The verse powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of apostasy and the unwavering certainty of God's righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a pivotal and tragic turning point in the reign of King Joash, immediately following the account of Zechariah's martyrdom in [2 Chronicles 24:21](/2_chronicles/24-21 "2 Chronicles 24:21 - Zechariah's Martyrdom"). It serves as the climax of Joash's apostasy, setting the stage for the swift divine retribution detailed in the subsequent verses. The narrative arc of [2 Chronicles 24](/2_chronicles/24 "2 Chronicles 24 - Joash's Reign and Apostasy") moves from Joash's miraculous rescue and righteous early reign under Jehoiada's guidance ([2 Chronicles 24:1-16](/2_chronicles/24-1 "2 Chronicles 24:1-16 - Joash's Early Reign")) to his spiritual downfall after Jehoiada's death ([2 Chronicles 24:17-19](/2_chronicles/24-17 "2 Chronicles 24:17-19 - Joash's Apostasy")), culminating in the murder of Zechariah and the pronouncement of judgment in this verse, which is then dramatically fulfilled in [2 Chronicles 24:23-27](/2_chronicles/24-23 "2 Chronicles 24:23-27 - Joash's Defeat and Assassination"). This verse encapsulates the profound ingratitude and the call for divine justice that defines the latter part of Joash's story.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Joash (Jehoash) ascended the throne of Judah under extraordinary circumstances, having been rescued as an infant from the massacre by his grandmother Queen Athaliah by the high priest Jehoiada and his wife Jehoshabeath ([2 Chronicles 22:10-12](/2_chronicles/22-10 "2 Chronicles 22:10-12 - Athaliah's Massacre and Joash's Rescue")). Jehoiada secretly raised Joash and, at the age of seven, orchestrated a daring coup to overthrow Athaliah and restore the Davidic line to the throne ([2 Chronicles 23:1-21](/2_chronicles/23-1 "2 Chronicles 23:1-21 - Jehoiada's Coup")). For as long as Jehoiada lived, Joash faithfully served the Lord and initiated significant Temple repairs ([2 Chronicles 24:4-14](/2_chronicles/24-4 "2 Chronicles 24:4-14 - Temple Repairs Under Joash")). However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash succumbed to the influence of wicked counselors, abandoning the Lord and leading Judah into idolatry ([2 Chronicles 24:17-18](/2_chronicles/24-17 "2 Chronicles 24:17-18 - Joash's Apostasy")). God sent prophets to warn them, including Zechariah, Jehoiada's son and Joash's cousin, who courageously confronted the king and the people. The stoning of Zechariah in the Temple court, as commanded by Joash, was a shocking act of sacrilege and extreme ingratitude, violating both the sanctity of the Temple and the profound debt Joash owed to Zechariah's father.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Joash, particularly as highlighted in this verse, powerfully illustrates several recurring themes in Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Foremost is the theme of **retribution theology**, where faithfulness to God brings blessing and disobedience brings judgment, a concept central to the Deuteronomistic history. Joash's initial prosperity and subsequent downfall serve as a clear example of this principle. Another critical theme is **ingratitude and betrayal**, as Joash's actions represent a profound betrayal of the covenant relationship with God and a personal betrayal of the family who saved and established him. The verse also underscores the **importance of godly influence** and the dangers of its removal, as Joash's apostasy directly follows Jehoiada's death. Finally, Zechariah's dying words introduce the theme of **divine justice and accountability**, emphasizing that God is a righteous judge who sees all injustice and will ultimately hold individuals, even kings, accountable for their actions, particularly the shedding of innocent blood ([2 Chronicles 24:23-24](/2_chronicles/24-23 "2 Chronicles 24:23-24 - Judgment on Joash")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kindness (Hebrew, _chesed'_):** This powerful Hebrew term denotes steadfast love, loyalty, faithfulness, and covenantal mercy. In this context, it refers to the immense, life-saving, and kingdom-establishing loyalty and love shown by Jehoiada to Joash. The text emphasizes that Joash "remembered not" this profound _chesed_, highlighting the depth of his ingratitude and moral failure. His failure to reciprocate or even acknowledge such foundational kindness underscores his spiritual blindness and the severity of his betrayal.
* **Require (Hebrew, _darash'_):** Zechariah's dying plea, "The LORD look upon it, and require it," uses the verb _darash_, which means to seek, inquire, investigate, or demand. In a legal or judicial context, it implies seeking out a wrong and demanding retribution or recompense. Zechariah is not merely expressing a personal wish for vengeance but a prophetic declaration and confident appeal to God as the ultimate, righteous Judge who will actively pursue and exact justice for the innocent blood shed and the covenant broken. It is a declaration of divine accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son."**: This opening clause starkly highlights the profound moral failure of King Joash. The phrase "remembered not" (Hebrew: _lo' zakar_) signifies not merely a lapse of memory, but a deliberate disregard and repudiation of the extraordinary _chesed_ (steadfast love, loyalty, kindness) shown to him by Jehoiada. Jehoiada had literally saved Joash's life from Athaliah's purge, raised him, and risked his own life to place Joash on the throne, acting as a true father figure. Yet, Joash's response was to murder Jehoiada's own son, Zechariah, who was also Joash's cousin and a prophet of God. This act of matricide, committed within the sacred precincts of the Temple, represents the apex of Joash's ingratitude, spiritual apostasy, and moral depravity.
* **"And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon [it], and require [it]."**: These are the powerful, prophetic dying words of Zechariah, uttered as he was being stoned to death by command of King Joash. His plea, "The LORD look upon [it]," is an appeal to God's omniscience and justice, imploring Him to witness the heinous act and the shedding of innocent blood. The subsequent phrase, "and require [it]," is a solemn imprecation, a confident declaration that God, as the righteous Judge, would not ignore this injustice but would actively seek out and demand recompense for the crime. It is a testament to Zechariah's faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, even in his final moments of suffering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its tragic message. **Irony** is prominent, as Joash, whose life was miraculously saved and whose reign was established by Jehoiada, repays this ultimate kindness by ordering the death of Jehoiada's son. This reversal of expectation underscores Joash's profound moral corruption. Zechariah's dying words function as a powerful **imprecation**, a curse or solemn appeal for divine judgment, which immediately **foreshadows** the subsequent downfall and assassination of Joash, demonstrating the swift and certain nature of God's retribution. The narrative also employs **contrast**, juxtaposing Joash's initial faithfulness and prosperity under Jehoiada's guidance with his later apostasy and the tragic consequences that follow, highlighting the critical importance of sustained obedience and gratitude.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The narrative of Joash and Zechariah in 2 Chronicles 24:22 serves as a stark theological warning about the dangers of spiritual decline and the certainty of divine justice. It underscores the principle that God holds leaders, and indeed all individuals, accountable for their actions, particularly when they betray sacred trusts and shed innocent blood. Joash's ingratitude towards Jehoiada, who was instrumental in saving and establishing his life and reign, mirrors a deeper ingratitude towards God Himself, who had preserved the Davidic line through Jehoiada's faithfulness. This act of apostasy and murder demonstrates a profound disregard for God's covenant and His messengers. Zechariah's dying imprecation, "The LORD look upon it, and require it," is not merely a cry for vengeance but a prophetic declaration of God's unyielding righteousness and His commitment to upholding justice in His creation. This event highlights the consistent biblical theme that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately repay evil, ensuring that no act of injustice, especially against His faithful servants, goes unaddressed.

* [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Crying Out")
* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Leave Vengeance to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic story of King Joash and the martyrdom of Zechariah offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful cautionary tale, reminding us that even those who begin well in faith can fall dramatically if they neglect their spiritual foundations and succumb to ungodly influences. Joash's profound ingratitude towards Jehoiada, who was a literal savior and father figure to him, challenges us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude for the people God has placed in our lives—mentors, spiritual leaders, and faithful friends—who guide and support us in our walk with Him. We are also called to heed prophetic warnings, whether delivered through Scripture, the preaching of God's Word, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit, rather than hardening our hearts as Joash did. Ultimately, Zechariah's dying plea for divine justice reminds us that while injustice may seem to prevail in the short term, God sees all, and His perfect justice will ultimately be served. This truth should both comfort us in times of suffering and compel us to live righteously, knowing that we too will give an account.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be prone to spiritual ingratitude, either towards God or towards those He has used to bless my life?**
* **What godly influences are currently present in my life, and how am I actively valuing and responding to their guidance?**
* **How does the certainty of God's justice, as expressed in Zechariah's dying words, impact my perspective on suffering and injustice in the world today?**
* **Am I quick to heed warnings from God's Word or faithful messengers, or do I find myself resisting truth when it challenges my comfort or desires?**

### FAQ
**Why was Zechariah's death so significant, and how was his dying curse fulfilled?**

Answer: Zechariah's death was profoundly significant for several reasons. First, it represented an extreme act of ingratitude and betrayal by King Joash, who owed his life and throne to Zechariah's father, Jehoiada. Second, it was an act of sacrilege, as Zechariah was murdered within the sacred precincts of the Temple court ([2 Chronicles 24:21](/2_chronicles/24-21 "2 Chronicles 24:21 - Zechariah's Martyrdom")). Third, Zechariah was a prophet of God, and his murder was a rejection of God's direct warning to the people and their king. His dying words, "The LORD look upon it, and require it," were not merely a personal cry for vengeance but a prophetic imprecation, a divinely inspired call for God to exact justice. This "curse" was swiftly and dramatically fulfilled. Within a year, a small Aramean army invaded Judah, defeated Joash's much larger forces, and plundered Jerusalem. This defeat was seen as God's judgment for their abandonment of Him ([2 Chronicles 24:23-24](/2_chronicles/24-23 "2 Chronicles 24:23-24 - Aramean Invasion and God's Judgment")). Furthermore, Joash himself was then assassinated by his own servants in his bed, dying in disgrace and not even receiving burial in the royal tombs, a clear sign of divine retribution for his wickedness and the shedding of innocent blood ([2 Chronicles 24:25-27](/2_chronicles/24-25 "2 Chronicles 24:25-27 - Joash's Assassination")). Jesus Himself later referenced Zechariah, son of Barachiah (often identified with this Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, or a later prophet with a similar name), as the last prophet whose innocent blood was shed before the destruction of Jerusalem, highlighting the cumulative guilt of Israel for rejecting God's messengers ([Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Matthew 23:35 - From Abel to Zechariah")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Zechariah's martyrdom at the hands of King Joash, and his dying plea for divine justice, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Zechariah, an innocent prophet and priest, was murdered for faithfully delivering God's word, and his blood cried out for justice. This foreshadows the ultimate innocent martyr, Jesus, the Son of God, who was unjustly condemned and crucified for speaking God's truth and bearing witness to His kingdom. Unlike Zechariah's imprecation, Jesus, from the cross, prayed, "[Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Father, Forgive Them")," demonstrating a divine compassion that transcends human calls for vengeance. Yet, the shedding of Christ's innocent blood, the ultimate act of injustice, did not go un-"required" by God. Instead, God's righteous judgment for all sin was fully poured out upon Christ on the cross, satisfying the demands of divine justice and making a way for forgiveness and reconciliation for humanity ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed Through Christ")). Thus, while Zechariah's blood cried out for retribution upon his murderers, Christ's blood speaks a better word, a word of atonement and redemption, offering forgiveness to those who repent and believe, even as it ensures that ultimate justice will prevail for those who reject His saving grace ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - The Sprinkled Blood of Jesus")). The ungrateful king Joash stands in stark contrast to Christ, the true King, who, far from betraying kindness, perfectly fulfilled the Father's will and offered the ultimate act of selfless love and obedience, securing eternal life for all who trust in Him ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 9:5

And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

Luke 11:51

From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

John 10:32

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

Revelation 6:9

¶ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Revelation 6:11

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.

Revelation 19:2

For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Psalms 10:14

Thou hast seen [it]; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite [it] with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.