2 Kings 11:21

Seven years old [was] Jehoash when he began to reign.

Seven {H7651} years {H8141} old {H1121} was Jehoash {H3060} when he began to reign {H4427}.

Y'ho'ash was seven years old when he began his reign.

Joash was seven years old when he became king.

Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.

Commentary

This concise verse marks the official commencement of King Jehoash's (also known as Joash) reign over Judah. Its brevity belies the dramatic and critical events that immediately preceded it, setting the stage for a period of remarkable restoration under a very young ruler.

Context

The accession of Jehoash at such a tender age is a testament to God's miraculous preservation of the Davidic line. Following the death of her son, King Ahaziah, the wicked Queen Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized power and ruthlessly attempted to eradicate all royal heirs (see 2 Kings 11:1-3). However, Jehoash, then an infant, was secretly rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, and her husband, Jehoiada the high priest. They hid him in the Temple for six years. In the seventh year, Jehoiada orchestrated a daring and righteous coup, revealing the rightful king, garnering support from the army commanders, and ultimately overthrowing and executing Athaliah (read more in 2 Kings 11:4-16). This verse, therefore, signifies the successful culmination of that divine intervention and human faithfulness, ushering in the rule of the child king.

Key Themes

  • Divine Preservation of the Davidic Line: The survival of Jehoash, the only remaining heir, underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David, promising an enduring dynasty. This demonstrates God's faithfulness even in the darkest of times.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Evil: Athaliah's wicked plot to destroy the royal seed was decisively thwarted by God's providence, demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs and His ability to turn evil intentions to His purposes.
  • The Importance of Righteous Leadership: Jehoiada the priest played a crucial role, not only in preserving Jehoash but also in guiding his early reign (2 Kings 12:2-3). His faithfulness was instrumental in restoring proper worship and order in Judah.
  • Youthful Rulership: Jehoash's age highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of a child king. While he was the legitimate heir, his youth meant he would be heavily influenced by his guardians, particularly Jehoiada.

Linguistic Insight

The name Jehoash (Hebrew: ื™ึฐื”ื•ึนืึธืฉื, Yeho'ash) means "Jehovah has given" or "Yahweh is strong." This meaning beautifully reflects the miraculous circumstances of his survival and accession to the throne, truly a gift and act of strength from God in preserving His chosen lineage and the Judah monarchy.

Significance and Application

This verse, though brief, serves as a powerful reminder that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances appear bleak or human efforts seem to fail. It teaches us that:

  • God's Plan Prevails: No human scheme, however ruthless, can ultimately thwart God's sovereign will or His covenant purposes. The story of Jehoash's survival is a testament to God's ability to protect His people and His plans.
  • The Value of Mentorship: Jehoash's successful early reign was largely due to the wise guidance of Jehoiada. This emphasizes the vital role of godly mentors in the lives of those in leadership, especially the young, demonstrating the importance of wisdom and spiritual oversight.
  • Hope in Dark Times: Even when evil seems to triumph, God is at work behind the scenes, raising up faithful individuals to execute His justice and restore His order. The story of Jehoash is one of hope and restoration after a period of intense darkness for the kingdom of Judah.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 24:1 (5 votes)

    ยถ Joash [was] seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:14 (5 votes)

    And when they had finished [it], they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, [even] vessels to minister, and to offer [withal], and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

  • 2 Kings 11:4 (2 votes)

    ยถ And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.

  • 2 Kings 22:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.