2 Chronicles 24:1 - Meaning and Application

This account of Joash’s good beginning is given here in the same way as in (2 Kings 12:1) and following. The later part of this chapter, which tells of his falling away, is barely mentioned there. When there is good in people, we should take every chance to speak of it and remember it often. When there is evil, we should mention it only as much as needed.

We should notice, first, how happy it is for young people, when they are starting out in life, to be guided by wise, good, and faithful people, as Joash was guided by Jehoiada, the priest and his guardian. While Jehoiada lived, Joash did what was right. Young people should count it a blessing, not a burden, to have people near them who warn them against evil and urge them toward what is good. It is not weakness, but wisdom, to listen to such counsel. A person who will not take advice cannot be helped.

It is also especially wise for young people to seek advice in marriage, as Joash did when he left it to Jehoiada to choose his wives, because Jezebel and Athaliah had been such disasters to the kingdom (2 Chronicles 24:3). Marriage is often the point in life that either helps shape a person well or badly, so it deserves great care.

We also see that people can go a long way in outward religion, and keep at it for a long time, simply because of their upbringing and the influence of good friends, even when they have no real love for spiritual things and no inward taste for them. Outside pressures can push people toward what is good, even when there is no living work of grace in their hearts.

In outward devotion, those who only have the form of godliness may even seem more eager than those who have its power. Joash was more concerned and more zealous about repairing the temple than Jehoiada himself, and he even corrected Jehoiada for being too slow about it (2 Chronicles 24:6). It is easier to build temples than to become a temple for God.

The repair of churches is a good work, and all people should help with it as they can, for the sake of the order and comfort of religious gatherings. Learned writers say that, in the early Christian church, part of the tithes was used for this purpose.

Many good works would be done now if only a few active people would get them moving and keep them going. When Joash found that the money was not coming in as he had expected, he tried another method, and that one succeeded. Many people have enough honesty to follow a good cause, but not enough zeal to lead it. Putting money into a chest through a hole in the lid was a new method, and that new approach may have helped make it successful. A great deal was given, and given cheerfully, and everyone was glad (2 Chronicles 24:10). Sometimes a practical plan that suits people’s habits can bring them to do what is right. Wisdom in such matters is useful.

Faithfulness is the highest praise, and it will be the greatest comfort for those trusted with public money or public work. The king and Jehoiada faithfully paid the workers, and the workers faithfully did the job (2 Chronicles 24:12, 2 Chronicles 24:13).