Analyzing Joash (or Jehoash) and Jehoiada in 2 Kgs 11–12 and 2 Chr 22:10–24:27, what lessons can we learn from these two men?
The story of Joash and Jehoiada provides modern readers with many life lessons. First, we see how important it is to have wise counsel in a person’s life. Jehoiada, a man of high character and a devout spirit, gave godly wisdom to young Joash as he reigned as king. Jehoiada provided the king counsel to handle the different national decisions that needed to be made. Joash received that wisdom and used it to become a king that did right in the eyes of the Lord as long as Jehoida was alive (2 Chron 24:2). Once Jehoiada dies, king Joash seeks counsel from those who were not wise or who looked out for their own best interest (2 Chron 24:17). We must surround ourselves with a godly community and have people in our lives that can speak truth to us. In this situation, Joash was compliant with the horrible request to reinstate idol worship instead of standing up for the ways of the Lord. As Christians, we should not conform to the ways of the world but stay true to the ways and lifestyle God has called us to. As the story proceeds, Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, rebukes Joash for this evil act. From this, we are reminded that as hard as it can be to take criticism, we must listen to what God is telling us. If He is convicting us of something, we must confess it and repent of the wrong. This story also provides a reminder to the reader that just because a young person grows up in the house of the Lord (2 Chron 22:12), it does not necessarily mean that person is a Christian. Joash may have been wanting to please Jehoiada by rebuilding the temple or following his godly counsel, but he may not have ever let the godly teachings of Jehoiada penetrate his life and change him. 3
Question: Why does the writer of Kings omit some of the details that the Chronicler includes?
I think the writer of Chronicles includes the extra detail because those details better fit the inspired purpose for the book. The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles amplifies some of the important episodes in the times of Judah. This episode once again shows Judah’s unfaithfulness by the killing a prophet and the reinstatement of idol worship. As the writer is also focused on the Temple, we see in this story how the Temple was rebuilt and what that would mean for future generations of the exiles. From research, it was shown how the Chronicler would provide good things about “good” kings but there would also be bad things about “good” kings. Because the two books had different audiences, I think this provides the greatest reason as to the omission of some details. The Chronicler emphasized purity and the need to preserve it and Chronicles gives the people the encouragement needed after the exile and also to remember their covenant with God.