2 Chronicles 24:26

KJV

And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

KJV (with Strong's)

And these are they that conspired {H7194} against him; Zabad {H2066} the son {H1121} of Shimeath {H8100} an Ammonitess {H5985}, and Jehozabad {H3075} the son {H1121} of Shimrith {H8116} a Moabitess {H4125}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who conspired against him were Zavad the son of Shim'at the 'Amonit and Y'hozavad the son of Shimrit the Mo'avit.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who conspired against Joash were Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

American Standard Version

And these are they that conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 24:26 precisely identifies Zabad and Jehozabad as the two individuals responsible for the assassination of King Joash of Judah. This verse marks the tragic culmination of Joash's reign, highlighting the severe consequences of his apostasy and the divine judgment that ultimately befell him through internal strife and betrayal. It underscores a pivotal moment in Judah's history where the king's unfaithfulness led to a violent end, illustrating the principle of divine retribution within the covenant community and the pervasive nature of spiritual decay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the somber conclusion of King Joash's reign, immediately following a description of his severe illness and the conspiracy against him in [2 Chronicles 24:25](/2_chronicles/24-25 "2 Chronicles 24:25 - Joash's Illness and Conspiracy"). Joash's story is one of tragic decline: he began his rule as a young boy, guided by the faithful High Priest Jehoiada, during which he initiated significant repairs to the Temple ([2 Chronicles 24:4-14](/2_chronicles/24-4-14 "2 Chronicles 24:4-14 - Temple Repairs Under Joash")). However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash abandoned the Lord and embraced idolatry, leading Judah astray ([2 Chronicles 24:17-19](/2_chronicles/24-17-19 "2 Chronicles 24:17-19 - Joash's Apostasy")). His apostasy reached its peak with the unjust stoning of Zechariah, Jehoiada's own son, who boldly confronted the king with God's message ([2 Chronicles 24:20-22](/2_chronicles/24-20-22 "2 Chronicles 24:20-22 - Zechariah's Martyrdom and Joash's Guilt")). The assassination described in verse 26 is presented as the direct, divinely orchestrated consequence of Joash's profound unfaithfulness and the shedding of innocent blood, fulfilling Zechariah's dying imprecation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Joash reigned in Judah during the 9th century BCE, a period marked by shifting regional powers and internal religious challenges. The detail that the mothers of the conspirators, Zabad and Jehozabad, were an "Ammonitess" and a "Moabitess" is highly significant. Both Ammon and Moab were historically antagonistic nations to Israel, and their descendants were explicitly excluded from the assembly of the Lord "even to the tenth generation" ([Deuteronomy 23:3](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites")). This detail suggests a breakdown of national and religious purity within the royal court, indicating that foreign elements, traditionally seen as outside the covenant, had infiltrated positions of influence or proximity to the king. In the ancient Near East, regicide, or the assassination of a king, was a drastic act often stemming from internal power struggles, popular discontent, or divine judgment, as is clearly implied here. The chronicler emphasizes not merely the act but the moral and spiritual decay that precipitated it, highlighting the consequences of compromising God's covenant standards.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding [2 Chronicles 24](/2_chronicles/24 "2 Chronicles 24 - Joash's Reign") and specifically verse 26 contributes to several major theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Retribution**, demonstrating that God holds even kings accountable for their actions. Joash's assassination is presented as a direct, divinely sanctioned consequence of his grave apostasy and, specifically, his role in the murder of Zechariah, echoing the principle that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")). Secondly, it serves as a stark **Cautionary Tale of Apostasy**, emphasizing the peril of spiritual decline. Despite a promising start and a period of devotion under Jehoiada's guidance, Joash's later abandonment of God's commands led to his tragic downfall, highlighting the necessity of sustained faithfulness throughout one's life. Lastly, the mention of the conspirators' foreign mothers underscores the theme of **Compromise and Corrupting Influence**. The presence of individuals with Ammonite and Moabite lineage in the king's inner circle suggests a broader moral and spiritual decay within the kingdom, where boundaries against foreign, potentially idolatrous, influences had been blurred, ultimately contributing to the king's demise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Conspired (Hebrew, _qâshar'_):** The Hebrew verb קָשַׁר (*qâshar*) literally means "to tie," "to bind," or "to league together." In political contexts, as used here, it consistently denotes the formation of a secret plot, a conspiracy, or a treacherous alliance against a ruler or established authority. This term emphasizes the deliberate, unified, and clandestine nature of the act committed by Zabad and Jehozabad. It implies a premeditated act of betrayal, a binding together of individuals with a common, illicit purpose, rather than a spontaneous outburst of violence. The use of this specific word highlights the calculated treachery involved in Joash's assassination, underscoring the depth of the internal opposition he faced as a consequence of his actions.
* **Ammonitess (Hebrew, _ʻAmmôwnîyth'_):** This term refers to a female descendant of Ammon, a nation historically hostile to Israel, whose people were explicitly forbidden from entering the assembly of the Lord. The mention of Zabad's mother being an Ammonitess is highly significant, not merely as a genealogical detail but as a theological marker. It points to a profound breakdown of ethnic and spiritual purity within Judah's royal court, indicating that individuals from traditionally antagonistic and idolatrous backgrounds had gained proximity and influence, contributing to the moral decay that permeated the kingdom under Joash's apostate rule.
* **Moabitess (Hebrew, _Môwʼâbîy'_):** Similar to "Ammonitess," this term denotes a female descendant of Moab, another nation with a long history of antagonism toward Israel and whose people were also excluded from the Lord's assembly. The parallel mention of Jehozabad's mother as a Moabitess reinforces the theological message conveyed by the Ammonitess. It underscores the pervasive nature of foreign, potentially ungodly, influences within the highest echelons of Judahite society. The presence of individuals with such lineage among the king's inner circle highlights the extent of the spiritual compromise that allowed for internal rot and ultimately contributed to the king's divinely ordained downfall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these are they that conspired against him;":** This introductory clause directly names the perpetrators, establishing their culpability in the conspiracy against King Joash. The Chronicler's decision to specifically name them, rather than leaving them anonymous, emphasizes the personal responsibility of the individuals involved in this act of regicide. It also serves to connect the act directly to the preceding narrative of Joash's unfaithfulness and Zechariah's murder, portraying the assassination as a precise and identifiable act of divine judgment executed through human agents.
* **"Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess,":** This identifies the first conspirator, Zabad, and crucially, reveals his mother's foreign origin. The term "Ammonitess" signifies a woman from Ammon, a nation historically hostile to Israel and explicitly excluded from the Israelite assembly. This detail is not merely genealogical but carries significant theological weight, suggesting a breakdown of covenant purity within Judah's royal court and highlighting the presence of foreign, potentially ungodly, influences at the highest levels of society, contributing to the spiritual vulnerability of the kingdom.
* **"and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.":** Similarly, this identifies the second conspirator, Jehozabad, and his mother's Moabite origin. Like the Ammonites, the Moabites were traditional enemies of Israel, and their descendants were also excluded from the assembly of the Lord. The parallel naming structure and the similar foreign lineage of the mothers underscore a shared background for the conspirators, perhaps indicating a common grievance or a broader segment of society alienated from Joash's rule. More importantly, it emphasizes the pervasive nature of foreign elements within the kingdom that contributed to its internal decay and the king's downfall, serving as a stark symbol of Judah's spiritual compromise.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices to convey the profound theological message of 2 Chronicles 24:26. **Retributive Justice** is paramount, as the assassination of Joash is explicitly presented as the direct consequence of his apostasy and the murder of Zechariah, fulfilling Zechariah's dying curse ([2 Chronicles 24:22](/2_chronicles/24-22 "2 Chronicles 24:22 - Zechariah's Dying Curse")). This underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, ensuring that sin, especially against His anointed, does not go unpunished. **Irony** is also powerfully present: Joash, who was saved from the massacre of the royal seed by Jehoiada ([2 Chronicles 22:11](/2_chronicles/22-11 "2 Chronicles 22:11 - Joash Saved from Athaliah")), and who later ordered the death of Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, is himself brought down by a conspiracy, fulfilling the very judgment he invited. Furthermore, the specific naming of the conspirators and their foreign mothers serves as a potent form of **Symbolism**, where the foreign lineage points to the spiritual decay and compromise within Judah that ultimately contributed to the king's demise, suggesting that internal rot, often fueled by ungodly influences, can lead to catastrophic national consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The assassination of King Joash, precisely detailed in 2 Chronicles 24:26, serves as a stark theological reminder of God's unwavering commitment to justice and the severe consequences of apostasy, particularly for those in positions of leadership. It underscores the principle that divine judgment can manifest through human actions and internal strife, even when those actions are driven by human malice. The Chronicler presents this event not as a random act of violence, but as the fulfillment of Zechariah's dying imprecation, illustrating that God sees and responds to the shedding of innocent blood and the betrayal of covenant faithfulness. This narrative reinforces the truth that privilege and a good beginning do not guarantee a faithful end, and that sustained devotion to God is paramount for individuals and nations.

* [Deuteronomy 23:3](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites from the Assembly")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Genesis 9:6](/genesis/9-6 "Genesis 9:6 - Sanctity of Human Life and Punishment for Murder")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic end of King Joash, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 24:26, offers profound lessons for believers today. His story is a poignant reminder that a person's spiritual journey is not defined by their beginning, however promising, but by their sustained faithfulness to God throughout their life. It challenges us to consider the insidious nature of spiritual compromise and the ease with which even those who have known God's blessings can drift into apostasy. The narrative underscores the importance of surrounding ourselves with godly counsel, remaining accountable, and diligently guarding against influences that would lead us away from God's commands. Just as Joash's actions led to a bitter harvest, our choices have consequences, and persistent faithfulness, humility, and obedience are essential for navigating life's challenges and finishing well in our walk with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joash's story challenge my understanding of sustained faithfulness versus initial zeal in my walk with God?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be susceptible to "foreign influences" or compromises that could subtly erode my commitment to God?**
* **What lessons can leaders, whether in the church, family, or workplace, draw from Joash's downfall regarding accountability, integrity, and heeding prophetic warnings?**
* **How does the principle of divine justice, even when executed through human means, encourage or challenge my trust in God's sovereignty and righteousness?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific motivation of Zabad and Jehozabad in conspiring against King Joash?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state the personal motivations of Zabad and Jehozabad beyond their role as conspirators. However, the Chronicler presents their act as a direct consequence of Joash's actions, particularly his abandonment of God and the murder of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada. [2 Chronicles 24:25](/2_chronicles/24-25 "2 Chronicles 24:25 - Joash's Illness and Conspiracy") mentions that Joash's servants conspired against him "because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest." This suggests that Zabad and Jehozabad, as servants or officials within the court, were either personally loyal to Jehoiada's family, were appalled by Joash's sacrilege, or perhaps saw an opportunity amidst the king's weakened state and the widespread discontent caused by his apostasy and the Aramean invasion. Their mothers' foreign origins might also imply a degree of alienation from the traditional Israelite covenant, potentially making them less bound by loyalty to the Davidic king and more susceptible to political intrigue or personal grievances.

**What is the significance of the conspirators' mothers being an "Ammonitess" and a "Moabitess"?**

Answer: The specific mention of the mothers' foreign origins—an Ammonitess and a Moabitess—is highly significant. According to [Deuteronomy 23:3](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites from the Assembly"), Ammonites and Moabites were explicitly excluded from the assembly of the Lord, symbolizing their historical antagonism towards Israel and their association with pagan practices. Their presence in the royal court, and their sons' involvement in such a pivotal act, highlights a profound spiritual and national compromise within Judah. It suggests that Joash's apostasy was not an isolated incident but part of a broader moral decay that allowed foreign, potentially ungodly, influences to infiltrate the highest levels of the kingdom. This detail underscores the Chronicler's theological message: the king's unfaithfulness led to internal rot, even among his own servants, culminating in his divinely ordained demise at the hands of those whose very lineage symbolized the nation's departure from God's covenant standards.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of King Joash, culminating in his assassination in [2 Chronicles 24:26](/2_chronicles/24-26 "2 Chronicles 24:26 - The Assassination of King Joash"), serves as a powerful Old Testament witness to the desperate need for a perfect King, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Joash, though beginning well under godly influence, ultimately failed as a human king, succumbing to apostasy and shedding innocent blood, thereby inviting divine judgment. This cycle of human failure, sin, and judgment throughout the Old Testament points forward to the one King who would never fail. Unlike Joash, who was unable to sustain his faithfulness, Jesus Christ is the King who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ Our Perfect High Priest")). The shedding of innocent blood, which brought judgment upon Joash and Judah, is dramatically reversed in Christ. His innocent blood, shed on the cross, does not bring judgment but rather provides atonement and forgiveness for the sins of humanity ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Supremacy and Reconciliation")). Joash's reign ended in betrayal and death, but Christ's reign is eternal, marked by righteousness and peace, offering true salvation and hope to all who believe in Him, the true [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 Kings 12:21

For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.