Jehoash (of Israel)
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Jehoash (also called Joash) was the son of Jehoahaz and reigned sixteen years over Israel from Samaria. He continued in the sins of Jeroboam, but he honored the dying prophet Elisha, weeping over him and crying, 'O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.' Elisha had him shoot 'the arrow of the LORD's deliverance' and then strike the ground with arrows; because he struck only three times, he would defeat Syria only three times. That word came true when Jehoash beat Ben-hadad three times and recovered Israel's cities. When Amaziah of Judah challenged him, Jehoash answered with a parable of a thistle and a cedar, then routed Judah at Beth-shemesh, broke down part of Jerusalem's wall, and carried off the temple treasures. He is a different king from his contemporary Joash of Judah.
Biography
- Occupation
- King of Israel
- Father
- Jehoahaz (of Israel)
- Children
- Jeroboam II
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Nationality
- Israelite
- Also Known As
- Joash
Family
Did You Know?
Jehoash greeted the dying Elisha with the same cry Elisha had used when Elijah was taken up: 'my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof' (2 Kings 2:12; 13:14).
A stela of the Assyrian king Adad-nirari III found at Tell al-Rimah names 'Joash of Samaria' among the kings who paid him tribute.
Two kings named Joash or Jehoash reigned at about the same time, one in Israel and one in Judah; Jehoash of Israel defeated and captured Amaziah, the son of Joash of Judah (2 Kings 14:13).
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Jehoash Begins to Reign
2 Kings 13:10-13
A summary of his reign notes both his sin and his might, especially in war with Judah.
10n the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
The Arrows of Deliverance
2 Kings 13:14-19
Elisha's last prophetic act tests the king's zeal, and half-hearted faith receives a partial victory.
14ow Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
Three Victories over Syria
2 Kings 13:24-25
The prophet's word is fulfillled precisely: three victories, no more.
24o Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.
The Thistle and the Cedar
2 Kings 14:8-10
Jehoash warns the proud Amaziah with a fable, advising him to enjoy his victory over Edom and stay at home.
8hen Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
Jerusalem's Wall Broken
2 Kings 14:11-14
Amaziah's pride brings humiliation on Judah, and the temple treasures are carried off to Samaria.
11ut Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
