2 Chronicles 24:25

KJV

And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they were departed {H3212} from him,(for they left {H5800} him in great {H7227} diseases {H4251},) his own servants {H5650} conspired {H7194} against him for the blood {H1818} of the sons {H1121} of Jehoiada {H3077} the priest {H3548}, and slew {H2026} him on his bed {H4296}, and he died {H4191}: and they buried {H6912} him in the city {H5892} of David {H1732}, but they buried {H6912} him not in the sepulchres {H6913} of the kings {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After they had left him - and they left him seriously wounded - his own servants conspired against him because he had shed the blood of the sons of Y'hoyada the cohen; and they killed him in his own bed. After he died, they buried him in the City of David, but they didn't bury him in the tombs of the kings.

Berean Standard Bible

And when the Arameans had withdrawn, they left Joash severely wounded. His own servants conspired against him for shedding the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

American Standard Version

And when they were departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The tragic end of King Joash of Judah is meticulously recounted in this verse, detailing his assassination by his own servants. Left severely weakened by a debilitating illness following a Syrian invasion, Joash became vulnerable. The explicit motive for this conspiracy was retribution for his earlier, heinous act of ordering the murder of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, whose family had once protected Joash and whose father had guided his early, righteous reign. Joash was slain in his own bed, a deeply personal and ignominious death, and while he was interred within the City of David, he was pointedly denied burial in the hallowed sepulchres reserved for the kings, a final mark of disgrace and divine judgment on his apostate reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the culmination of King Joash's dramatic decline, which began after the death of his mentor, Jehoiada the priest. The narrative preceding this verse details Joash's miraculous preservation as a child from Athaliah's purge, his installation as king by Jehoiada, and his initial righteous reign marked by the restoration of the Temple ([2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21](/2_chronicles/22-10 "2 Chronicles 22-23 - Joash's Ascent to the Throne")). However, following Jehoiada's passing, Joash abandoned the Lord, listening to wicked counsel and allowing the reintroduction of idolatry ([2 Chronicles 24:17-19](/2_chronicles/24-17 "2 Chronicles 24:17-19 - Joash's Apostasy")). This apostasy led to divine judgment, manifested through a devastatingly successful Syrian invasion, despite Judah's numerical superiority ([2 Chronicles 24:23-24](/2_chronicles/24-23 "2 Chronicles 24:23-24 - The Syrian Invasion and Defeat of Judah")). The immediate catalyst for the assassination described in verse 25 was Joash's earlier act of ordering the stoning of Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who had faithfully rebuked the king and the people for their unfaithfulness ([2 Chronicles 24:20-21](/2_chronicles/24-20 "2 Chronicles 24:20-21 - Zechariah's Prophecy and Martyrdom")). Zechariah's dying imprecation, "The LORD look upon it, and require it" ([2 Chronicles 24:22](/2_chronicles/24-22 "2 Chronicles 24:22 - Zechariah's Dying Words")), foreshadows the retribution that now befalls Joash.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Joash (also known as Jehoash) reigned over Judah in the 9th century BCE, a period of shifting regional powers. His reign began remarkably, saved from the massacre of the royal seed by his aunt Jehoshabeath and Jehoiada the priest, highlighting the importance of the Davidic covenant and the vulnerability of the royal line. The restoration of the Temple under Joash was a significant cultural and religious event, reflecting a renewed commitment to Yahwistic worship after the idolatrous reign of Athaliah. The denial of burial in the "sepulchres of the kings" was a profound cultural disgrace in ancient Judah, signifying a negative posthumous judgment on a king's reign, often reserved for those who died ignominiously or whose rule was deemed wicked. Such a burial exclusion communicated a public rejection of his legacy, despite his initial good deeds. Conspiracies and assassinations were not uncommon methods of regime change in the ancient Near East, often reflecting internal strife, popular discontent, or perceived divine judgment against a ruler.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. First, it highlights the **Consequences of Apostasy**, demonstrating how Joash's turning away from God after Jehoiada's death led directly to his downfall, illustrating the severe repercussions of disobedience and faithlessness, especially for a leader. Second, it vividly portrays **Divine Retribution** and justice; Joash's murder is presented as a direct consequence, or divine judgment, for his sin, particularly the shedding of innocent blood, thereby fulfilling Zechariah's prophetic curse. Third, the account emphasizes **Leadership and Accountability**, revealing that even a king, divinely appointed, is not exempt from God's judgment for abusing power and betraying divine trust. Finally, it touches upon the **Fragility of Human Loyalty**, as the king's own servants, those closest to him, became his assassins, highlighting how even trusted relationships can fracture when justice or revenge is sought.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Diseases (Hebrew, _ḥŏlāyîm'_):** This plural noun denotes severe, debilitating illnesses or sicknesses. The text emphasizes that Joash was left in a state of extreme physical weakness and vulnerability after the Syrian army's departure. This condition rendered him incapable of defending himself, making him an easy target for the conspirators and underscoring his complete physical and political collapse.
* **Conspired (Hebrew, _qāšar'_):** This verb means "to bind together," "to conspire," or "to plot." It indicates a deliberate, organized, and secret plot by Joash's own trusted officials. The use of this term highlights the betrayal from within his inner circle, emphasizing the depth of disaffection and the calculated nature of the regicide.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dām'_):** In this context, "blood" refers to the life of an individual, specifically the innocent blood of Zechariah that Joash had shed. The phrase "for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest" explicitly states the motive for the assassination, linking it directly to the earlier injustice. It underscores the biblical principle that the shedding of innocent blood cries out for retribution and incurs severe divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,)":** This clause sets the immediate scene for the assassination. The "they" refers to the Syrian army under Hazael, who had just inflicted a humiliating defeat upon Judah. Joash's physical state of "great diseases" (severe illness or wounds) is presented as a direct consequence of this invasion, leaving him profoundly weakened and vulnerable, both militarily and personally, a stark contrast to his earlier vitality.
* **"his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died:":** This is the core action of the verse. The perpetrators are "his own servants," indicating a betrayal from within his most trusted circle. The explicit motive, "for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest," directly links the assassination to Joash's earlier command to stone Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, highlighting that the act was a direct retribution for the shedding of innocent blood. The method, "slew him on his bed," emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of the betrayal, occurring in a place of supposed security and rest, further underscoring his vulnerability and the ignominy of his end.
* **"and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.":** This final clause describes Joash's burial. While he was buried "in the city of David," signifying a degree of recognition as a king of Judah, the crucial qualification "but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings" conveys a profound mark of disgrace. This denial of burial in the royal tombs, reserved for honored monarchs, was a public and lasting condemnation of his reign, reflecting both human judgment and, more importantly, divine displeasure over his apostasy and the murder of Zechariah.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Joash's demise in 2 Chronicles 24:25 employs several potent literary devices to underscore its theological message. **Irony** is prominent: Joash, whose life was miraculously preserved by Jehoiada and who initially reigned righteously under his guidance, ultimately orders the murder of Jehoiada's own son, Zechariah, and is then himself assassinated in retribution for that very act. This tragic reversal highlights the profound ingratitude and spiritual decline of the king. **Foreshadowing** is also evident, as Zechariah's dying words, "The LORD look upon it, and require it" ([2 Chronicles 24:22](/2_chronicles/24-22 "2 Chronicles 24:22 - Zechariah's Dying Words")), directly anticipate the divine retribution that befalls Joash. The text also uses **Juxtaposition** to emphasize Joash's fall: his initial glorious reign and Temple restoration are starkly contrasted with his ignominious end. Furthermore, the description of his burial—"in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings"—juxtaposes a partial honor with a definitive disgrace, powerfully communicating the negative assessment of his legacy. Finally, the entire account serves as a clear example of **Cause and Effect**, illustrating the direct link between Joash's apostasy and the shedding of innocent blood (the cause) and his violent death and dishonorable burial (the effect).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Joash's demise in 2 Chronicles 24:25 serves as a powerful theological commentary on the principles of divine justice, the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, and the sanctity of innocent life. Despite his initial righteous beginning, Joash's turning away from the Lord after the death of his spiritual mentor, Jehoiada, led to a rapid moral and spiritual decay. His command to murder Zechariah, a prophet who faithfully delivered God's rebuke, was not merely a political act but a profound act of rebellion against God Himself. The assassination by his own servants, explicitly linked to "the blood of the sons of Jehoiada," demonstrates God's sovereign hand in bringing about retribution, even through human agents. This narrative underscores that God is a righteous judge who holds leaders accountable for their actions, particularly when they abuse their power and shed innocent blood. The denial of a full royal burial further emphasizes the divine verdict on his reign, signifying that his apostasy had negated his earlier good deeds in the eyes of God and the chronicler.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine, and recompense")
* [Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Matthew 23:35 - From the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah")
* [Proverbs 13:21](/proverbs/13-21 "Proverbs 13:21 - Evil pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of King Joash is a sobering and vital reminder that a good beginning does not guarantee a good end. His life serves as a profound cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the critical importance of sustained, personal faithfulness, independent of external influences or mentors. Joash's initial zeal for the Lord and his efforts to restore the Temple were commendable, yet his subsequent turning away from God after Jehoiada's death illustrates the fragility of faith not deeply rooted in a personal conviction and relationship with God. This account challenges us to consider our own spiritual foundations: are we serving God out of genuine devotion, or are we merely following the lead of others? Furthermore, Joash's swift and violent end, explicitly tied to his act of injustice against Zechariah, powerfully underscores the biblical principle that actions have consequences, and God does not ignore the shedding of innocent blood or the betrayal of His covenant. It compels us to reflect on the sanctity of life, the weight of our decisions, and the ultimate accountability we have before God, especially those in positions of leadership or influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joash's story challenge my understanding of sustained faithfulness versus initial zeal, and what steps can I take to ensure my faith remains vibrant and personal?**
* **In what ways might I be susceptible to turning away from God's counsel or influence, especially when trusted mentors or spiritual guides are no longer present?**
* **What does this account teach me about the enduring consequences of injustice and the sanctity of innocent life, and how might this inform my own ethical choices?**

### FAQ
**Why was Joash denied burial in the sepulchres of the kings?**

Answer: Joash was denied burial in the sepulchres of the kings as a profound mark of disgrace and a public condemnation of his reign. In ancient Judah, burial in the royal tombs within the City of David was a significant honor, reserved for kings whose reigns were considered righteous, successful, or at least not utterly wicked. It symbolized a positive posthumous assessment and an affirmation of their legitimate place in the Davidic dynasty. Joash's exclusion from these tombs, despite being buried within the City of David, signaled that his apostasy, particularly his command to murder Zechariah, the son of the very priest who had saved and guided him, had negated his earlier good deeds. This denial of full royal burial was a public declaration that his reign ended in dishonor and was under divine judgment, fulfilling the prophetic words of Zechariah ([2 Chronicles 24:22](/2_chronicles/24-22 "2 Chronicles 24:22 - Zechariah's Dying Words")). It served as a stark historical and theological verdict on a king who began well but ended in unfaithfulness and injustice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of King Joash, particularly his assassination for the shedding of innocent blood, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Joash's betrayal of Jehoiada's legacy and his murder of Zechariah, the righteous prophet, foreshadow the ultimate rejection and martyrdom of the true Prophet, Jesus, who came to His own but was not received ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He came to His own")). Jesus Himself references the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah (likely the same Zechariah, or a similar prophetic martyr), as part of the cumulative guilt of Israel for rejecting God's messengers, culminating in the rejection of Himself ([Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Matthew 23:35 - From Abel to Zechariah"); [Luke 11:51](/luke/11-51 "Luke 11:51 - From Abel to Zechariah")). While Joash's death was a consequence of his own sin and the divine retribution for innocent blood, Christ, the truly innocent Lamb of God, willingly shed His blood not for His own sin, but as the ultimate atonement for the sins of humanity ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Unlike Joash, who succumbed to temptation and failed to maintain faithfulness, Jesus remained perfectly obedient to the Father, even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/phil/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His perfect righteousness and sacrificial death provide the means for forgiveness and reconciliation, a stark contrast to the cycle of retribution seen in Joash's story. Furthermore, Joash's ignominious burial, denied a place among the kings, stands in stark contrast to Christ's burial and glorious resurrection, which secured His eternal reign as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/rev/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), offering true and lasting hope and a spiritual inheritance far surpassing any earthly sepulcher for all who believe in Him ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope")).

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

2 Chronicles 24:21

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.

2 Chronicles 24:22

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].

2 Chronicles 28:27

And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, [even] in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 14:19

Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.

2 Kings 14:20

And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.

2 Chronicles 21:16

Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that [were] near the Ethiopians:

2 Chronicles 21:18

And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.