King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:22 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:22 in the King James Version says “Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.”

2 Chronicles 24:22 · KJV

Context

20

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. came: Heb. clothed

21

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

22

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.

23

And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. at the: Heb. in the revolution of the year Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

24

For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.

Read 2 Chronicles 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness deteriorating after mentor's death. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זָכַ֞ר2 of 18

“remembered”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

יוֹאָ֣שׁ3 of 18

“Thus Joash”

H3101

joash, the name of six israelites

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ4 of 18

“the king”

H4428

a king

הַחֶ֙סֶד֙5 of 18

“not the kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֜ה7 of 18

“had done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֤ע8 of 18

“which Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

אָבִיו֙9 of 18

“his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

עִמּ֔וֹ10 of 18
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֖ג11 of 18

“to him but slew”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֶת12 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנ֑וֹ13 of 18

“his son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּכְמוֹת֣וֹ14 of 18
H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אָמַ֔ר15 of 18

“he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֵ֥רֶא16 of 18

“look”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יְהוָ֖ה17 of 18

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְיִדְרֹֽשׁ׃18 of 18

“upon it and require”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 24:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 24:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 9:5Luke 11:51Revelation 19:2John 10:32Revelation 6:9-11Psalms 10:14

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