2 Kings 12:20

And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.

2 Kings 12:20 (KJV)

Context

This verse records the assassination of King Joash of Judah by his own servants. Joash, also called Jehoash, became king at age seven and reigned for forty years (approximately 835–796 BC). He was preserved and guided by the priest Jehoiada, who protected his right to rule. During Jehoiada’s lifetime, Joash did what was right in the Lord’s eyes and initiated repairs to the temple, which had fallen into disrepair.

The following verse, 2 Kings 12:21, identifies the assassins as Jozachar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer. The location, “the house of Millo,” refers to a structure associated with the Millo, a fortified terraced area in Jerusalem first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:9.

Meaning

The verse states that Joash’s servants “arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew” him. The word “arose” suggests a deliberate, planned action rather than a sudden outburst. The conspiracy was not aimed at seizing the throne, since Joash’s son Amaziah succeeded him. Instead, it was an act of vengeance.

The Bible does not explicitly state the reasons for the conspiracy in this verse, but the broader narrative provides the cause. After Jehoiada’s death, Joash turned to idolatry. When Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, rebuked the king for this, Joash ordered him to be stoned to death (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). This murder of his mentor’s son provoked deep resentment among his servants.

Biblical connections

The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 24:23-26 adds that the assassination occurred after a Syrian invasion had plundered Jerusalem and left Joash diseased. The conspiracy was thus a direct consequence of Joash’s apostasy and his violent rejection of God’s prophet. The location, the house of Millo, ties this event to the city of David, where Joash was later buried.

Application

Joash’s tragic end serves as a warning about the consequences of straying from the Lord’s commands. He began well under godly influence but departed after his mentor died. His account reminds readers that faithfulness must be personal and enduring, not dependent on others. It also shows that leaders who abandon their commitment to God can face discord and rebellion.

Reflection

This verse invites reflection on the seriousness of turning away from God. Joash’s life illustrates how quickly a good start can be undone by pride and idolatry. Yet the account also points to God’s faithfulness in preserving the Davidic line through Amaziah, showing that even human failure does not thwart God’s purposes.