King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:25 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:25 in the King James Version says “And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.”

2 Chronicles 24:25 · KJV

Context

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.

25

And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

26

And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess. Zabad: or, Jozacher Shimrith: or, Shomer

27

Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. repairing: Heb. founding story: or, commentary

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

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 · 25 words
וּבְלֶכְתָּ֣ם1 of 25
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מִמֶּ֗נּוּ2 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

כִּֽי3 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָזְב֣וּ4 of 25

“from him (for they left”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֹתוֹ֮5 of 25
H853

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

בְּמַחֲלֻיִ֣ים6 of 25

“diseases”

H4251

a disease

רַבִּים֒7 of 25

“him in great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הִתְקַשְּׁר֨וּ8 of 25

“conspired”

H7194

to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)

עָלָ֜יו9 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲבָדָ֗יו10 of 25

“his own servants”

H5650

a servant

בִּדְמֵי֙11 of 25

“against him for the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

בְּנֵי֙12 of 25

“of the sons”

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

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֣ע13 of 25

“of Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן14 of 25

“the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וַיַּֽהַרְגֻ֥הוּ15 of 25

“and slew”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

עַל16 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִטָּת֖וֹ17 of 25

“him on his bed”

H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

וַיָּמֹ֑ת18 of 25

“and he died”

H4191

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

קְבָרֻ֖הוּ19 of 25

“and they buried”

H6912

to inter

בְּעִ֣יר20 of 25

“him in the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּוִ֔יד21 of 25

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְלֹ֥א22 of 25
H3808

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

קְבָרֻ֖הוּ23 of 25

“and they buried”

H6912

to inter

בְּקִבְר֥וֹת24 of 25

“him not in the sepulchres”

H6913

a sepulcher

הַמְּלָכִֽים׃25 of 25

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

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 24:25 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 24:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 28:272 Chronicles 24:21-222 Chronicles 21:18-20Revelation 16:62 Chronicles 21:162 Kings 14:19-20

Places in This Verse

City of DavidSettlement · Modern: City of David · 31.77°N, 35.24°E46 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 24 →

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