King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:25 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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

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.

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.

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

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

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(25) **And when they were departed from him.**—Omit *were.* The Syrians retired, instead of besieging Jerusalem, as they had purposed to do. **For they left him in great diseases.**—Some refer this to the wounds which Joash had received from the Syrians in battle. But it is not said that Joash himself was wounded, but only that the destruction of his princes and the defeat of his army were judgments upon him. The word rendered “diseases” (*mahălûyîm*) only occurs here; but it is obviously a near synonym of the term used of the last sickness of Jehoram (*tahălû’îm,* 2chron xxi, 19), and the probable meaning is “pains,” or “suffering.” Calamity may have brought about the sickness of Joash, or perhaps the invasion had come upon him when already prostrate with disease, and unable to resist in person. **His own servants conspired against him.**—2Kings 12:20, “And his servants arose and made a conspiracy.” Comp. the similar circumstances in the murder of Ishbosheth (2Samuel 4:5). **For the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest.**—The LXX. and Vulgate correct this, and read “son,” meaning Zechariah the prophet (2Chronicles 24:22), and the plural *may* be due to a transcriber’s mistake. More probably it is used *rhetorically,* as in 2Chronicles 28:16, and elsewhere. The writer does not mean to say that revenge for the death of Jehoiada’s posterity was the motive which actuated the conspirators, but that their deed was a judgment upon the king for that crime. In Kings the place of the assassination is specified, “Beth-millo that goeth down to Silla.” But nothing is there said of the sickness of Joash, and his being murdered in his bed. **But they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.**—See Note on 2Chronicles 21:20, where the same remark is made about the burial of Jehoram.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.