2 Chronicles 24-26: Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah

Thoughts

Chronicles 24

Joash becomes king at seven years old and reigns forty years in Jerusalem. He does what is right in the eyes of the Lord …for now. 

Joash decides to repair the Temple of the Lord, which had been neglected and even plundered by Athaliah’s sons.

He commands the priests and Levites to collect money for repairs, but they take a while. He places a chest outside the temple gate for offerings, and the people joyfully contribute.The funds are used to hire workers who restore the temple.

When the work is finished, leftover funds are used to make utensils for worship. Burnt offerings are continually offered.

Jehoiada lives to 130 years. After his death, leaders of Judah flatter Joash and lead him astray.Joash and the people abandon the temple and return to idolatry, worshiping Asherah poles and idols.

God’s anger burns against Judah for their unfaithfulness. God sends prophets to call the people back, but they refuse to listen.

Finally, Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest (Joash’s spiritual mentor) rebukes them. Instead of repenting, Joash orders Zechariah to be stoned to death in the temple courtyard.

The Aramean army invades Judah and defeats the people because they had abandoned the Lord. Joash is severely wounded in the attack.

Joash’s servants conspire against him for murdering Zechariah and kill him on his bed. His son Amaziah succeeds him as king.

Chronicles 25

Amaziah becomes king at 25 years old and reigns 29 years in Jerusalem. He does what is right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.

He executes his father’s assassins but spares their children, obeying the Mosaic law (Deut. 24:16): “The sons shall not be put to death for the sins of their fathers.”

Amaziah assembles an army:

• 300,000 men from Judah.
• He also hires 100,000 soldiers from Israel for 100 talents of silver.

A man of God warns him not to rely on Israel’s troops because God is not with the northern kingdom.

Amaziah obeys and he dismisses the Israelite troops. God gives him victory over Edom: 10,000 are killed in the Valley of Salt, and another 10,000 are thrown from a cliff.

But the dismissed Israelite troops are furious. They attack Judah’s cities, killing 3,000 people and taking spoil.

After defeating Edom, Amaziah brings home the gods of the Edomites and bows down to them! God’s anger burns against him, and He sends a prophet to confront him. Amaziah interrupts and threatens the prophet/

Amaziah, full of pride, challenges Jehoash (Joash) king of Israel to battle. Jehoash responds with a parable about a thistle and a cedar, warning Amaziah not to let success make him reckless.

Amaziah refuses to listen. The armies meet at Beth Shemesh, and Judah is defeated. Jehoash captures Amaziah, breaks down Jerusalem’s wall, takes treasures from the Temple and palace, and takes hostages back to Samaria.

Amaziah lives 15 more years after Jehoash’s death. He turns away from following the Lord. Conspirators plot against him in Jerusalem; he flees to Lachish, but they pursue and kill him there.

Chronicles 26

The people of Judah make Uzziah king at age 16 (probably before Amaziah’s death). He rebuilds Elath (Eilat) on the Red Sea. Uzziah does what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

Uzziah defeats the Philistines, breaks down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. The Ammonites pay tribute to him, and his fame spreads all the way to Egypt.

Uzziah fortifies Jerusalem with towers at the Corner Gate, Valley Gate, and Angle (strategic locations for defense).

• He also builds towers, digs many wells, and organizes farmers and vinedressers,.

His army is includes 307,500 soldiers under 2,600 officers. He provides armor, shields, spears, helmets, bows, and sling stones for all.

• He invents machines for Jerusalem’s towers to shoot arrows and large stones

When he becomes strong, he grew proud.  Uzziah enters the Temple of the Lord to burn incense, something only priests are allowed to do. The high priest Azariah and 80 other priests confront him.

 Uzziah becomes angry at their correction while holding the censer in his hand.

As he rages at the priests, leprosy breaks out on his forehead. They quickly remove him from the temple.

Uzziah remains a leper until the day he dies, living in isolation (“a separate house”). His son Jotham governs the palace and judges the people in his place.

The prophet Isaiah records more about Uzziah’s reign (see also Isaiah 6:1 — “In the year that King Uzziah died…”). When Uzziah dies, he is buried near but not in the tombs of the kings because of his leprosy.

His son Jotham succeeds him.

Questions

Why did Joash turn so quickly to idolatry after Jehoiada’s death? Was he only faithful because of him?

Why did Uzziah think he could offer incense?

Why did leprosy break out specifically on Uzziah’s forehead?

Application

The three kings in these chapters (Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah ) remind us that starting well isn’t the same as finishing well. Each of them began with doing what was right, and experienced God’s blessing. Sadly when life went smoothly, they stopped seeking God.  Consistent faith can be difficult – through both the hard times and the successful times.  It’s hard not to succumb to pride when things are going well, as those can be the times when we don’t think we need God.