Queen Athaliah ruled in Judah and convinced the populace to worship the false gods of her mother, Jezebel. Meanwhile, the priest, Jehoiada, waited for the right moment to reveal that a successor to king Ahaziah did exist. At the right time, young king Joash - only 7 years old - was set on the throne and declared king of Judah. His mother was executed.
Under Jehoiada's tutelage, Joash prospered as king. The temple was repaired and restored; the false idols were taken down and destroyed; the royal treasuries were increased; sacrifices to the Lord continued. But after Jehoiada's death (he lived 130 years!), Joash forsook all that he had learned from this faithful mentor. God's house was abandoned and false idols worshiped. Faithful prophets declared the wrongness of the people's actions, but to no national avail. King Joash even consented to having Zechariah - Jehoiada's son - stoned for his message against idol worship.
King Joash died at the hands of assassins. His tomb was not among those of the kings. His son, Amaziah, succeeded him.
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