2 Kings 12:21

For Iozachar the sonne of Shimeath, and Iehozabad the sonne of Shomer, his seruants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the citie of Dauid, and Amaziah his sonne reigned in his stead. 2 Kings 12:21 (KJV)

This verse records the death of Joash, the king of Judah. He was assassinated by his servants Jozachar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer. After Joash’s death, he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, and his son Amaziah succeeded him. The passage reflects a significant turn of events during Joash’s reign. Although Joash began as a righteous king who repaired the temple, he eventually turned away from the Lord. 2 Chronicles 24:17‑25 provides further details of his downfall. After the death of the high priest Jehoiada, Joash allowed the people of Judah to abandon worship of the Lord and follow idols and false gods. He even ordered the stoning of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who had rebuked the people for their idolatry. Some readers view the assassination by his own servants as a divine judgment on his unfaithfulness and wickedness, serving as a consequence of his turning away from God and leading the people into idolatry. The prophecy against Joash in 2 Chronicles 24:20‑25 was fulfilled, and the wickedness he permitted in Judah led to his downfall. In the broader biblical context, Joash’s story serves as a warning about the dangers of turning away from the Lord and indulging in idolatry. It highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God and His commandments, and the consequences that can arise from disobedience. 2 Kings 12:21 (KJV) therefore recounts the assassination of Joash by his servants; while the text does not specify motive, it follows accounts of his unfaithfulness and idolatry. The passage stands as a sobering reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and the consequences of turning away from Him.