The End of Joash’s Reign

23 In the spring of the year[a] the Aramean army marched against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the nation. Then they sent all the plunder back to their king in Damascus. 24 Although the Arameans attacked with only a small army, the Lord helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah. The people of Judah had abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so judgment was carried out against Joash.

25 The Arameans withdrew, leaving Joash severely wounded. But his own officials plotted to kill him for murdering the son[b] of Jehoiada the priest. They assassinated him as he lay in bed. Then he was buried in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:23 Hebrew At the turn of the year. The first day of the year in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in March or April.
  2. 24:25 As in Greek version and Latin Vulgate; Hebrew reads sons.

Joash Assassinated

23 At the end of the year (A)the army of the Syrians came up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. 24 Though the army of the Syrians had come with few men, (B)the Lord delivered into their hand a very great army, (C)because Judah[a] had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. Thus they (D)executed judgment on Joash.

25 When they had departed from him, leaving him (E)severely wounded, (F)his servants conspired against him because of the blood of (G)the son[b] of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, (H)but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 24:24 Hebrew they
  2. 2 Chronicles 24:25 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew sons