December 2, 2025

The boy king, Joash, did good for the duration of Jehoiada’s life and ruled for forty years. He even had the heart to make repairs to the temple, using the idea of collecting funds by setting a chest at the temple gate. He collected so much that it had to be emptied, and it filled up again. The people were very generous, so Joash was able to hire carpenters and masons to make repairs and purchase brass and iron. Jehoiada lived to the age of 130; that means he was 90 years old when Joash became king and had lived during Solomon’s time. Jehoiada kept Joash in check while he lived, but as soon as he died, Joash was influenced by the princes of Judah who wanted to restore the groves and idols. God sent prophets to them to try to bring them back. Then Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, the priest, stood before the people trying to convince them to come back to the LORD, but they conspired against him, and Joash had him stoned. Not long after that, Joash was executed by his servants for killing Zechariah. 

We can see from this story how important it is to surround yourself with godly, Christ-following people. The enemy is eager to pounce when we leave ourselves open to his wiles and follow the influence of those whom he overtakes. Joash did well for his entire life; then, he succumbed to the enemy, and his life ended on a sour note. The people wouldn’t even bury him with the other kings. Your friends matter, so stay the course and keep your eyes on Jesus because the enemy is waiting for you to mess up and ruin your good name.

 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. 2 Chronicles 24:25