Jehoiada was an important priest and leader in the Bible who played a pivotal role during the reigns of King Joash and King Jehoash of Judah. Here is an overview of Jehoiada’s life and ministry as described in the Bible:
Jehoiada’s Family Background
Jehoiada was from the priestly line of Aaron. He was the son of Benaiah and the father of Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). He was married to Jehosheba, who was the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of King Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:11). This connection to the royal family was significant in Jehoiada’s later interactions with the kings of Judah.
Jehoiada Protects Joash
When Ahaziah was killed, his mother Athaliah seized the throne and tried to kill all the royal heirs. However, Jehosheba took Ahaziah’s infant son Joash and hid him for six years in the temple, protecting him from being killed (2 Kings 11:1-3). As the high priest, Jehoiada was likely involved in this plan to protect the sole surviving heir to David’s throne.
Jehoiada Leads a Revolt and Crowns Joash as King
After six years, Jehoiada devised a plan to overthrow the wicked queen Athaliah and crown the 7-year-old Joash as the rightful king. He made a covenant with army commanders and brought Joash out to be crowned and presented to the people as their new king. When Athaliah found out, she tried to stop it but was captured and executed for her treason (2 Kings 11:4-16).
Jehoiada Advises King Joash
As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash followed his advice and did what was right in God’s eyes (2 Kings 12:2). Jehoiada got Joash to renovate and repair the Temple, which had fallen into disrepair under Athaliah (2 Kings 12:4-16). The priest Jehoiada served as a godly mentor and advisor to the young King Joash for many years.
Jehoiada’s Later Years and Death
In Joash’s later years as king, he turned away from the Lord and Jehoiada’s counsel. God sent prophets to warn Joash but he would not listen (2 Chronicles 24:17-19). Zechariah, who was Jehoiada’s son and also a priest, rebuked the people’s idolatry. But in response, King Joash had Zechariah stoned to death in the temple courtyard, showing his complete disregard for Jehoiada, Zechariah, and God (2 Chronicles 24:20-22).
The Bible does not record when Jehoiada died, but it seems his time as priest overlapped with Joash’s son Amaziah becoming king. Jehoiada lived to an old age and was buried among the kings because of his good service to Joash and Judah (2 Chronicles 24:15-16). He was 130 years old when he died.
Jehoiada’s Character and Significance
Jehoiada was clearly a righteous man who used his position of influence to do good. Some key character traits he displayed include:
- Courage – in devising the plan to overthrow Athaliah and crown Joash
- Faithfulness – protecting Joash for six years and serving as his advisor
- Commitment to God – repairing the temple and opposing idolatry
- Integrity – steering Joash in the right direction while he lived
Jehoiada played a major part in preserving the Davidic dynasty in Judah after it had nearly been wiped out by Athaliah. His faithful service ensured that the lineage of the Messiah was not cut off. The writer of 2 Chronicles said “Jehoiada took for Joash two wives, and he became the father of sons and daughters” (2 Chronicles 24:3). Joash’s descendants eventually included Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus (Matthew 1:11).
Overall, Jehoiada was used by God to steer Judah back to greater faithfulness after the previous kings had led the nation into idolatry and judgment. His courageous leadership and devotion to the Lord stand as an example for all generations.
Lessons We Can Learn from Jehoiada
Though he lived centuries before Christ, Jehoiada’s life offers some valuable lessons for believers today, such as:
- Faithfully steward the position God has given you, whether small or large
- Use your influence for godly purposes rather than selfish gain
- Speak truth to authority when leaders contradict God’s ways
- Trust God in dangerous situations when standing up for what is right
- Pass on a legacy of godliness and courage to the next generation
Key Passages about Jehoiada
Here are some of the most insightful Bible passages about the priest Jehoiada:
2 Kings 11:4-16 – Jehoiada leads the revolt to dethrone Athaliah and crown Joash as king
2 Kings 12:2 – Jehoiada instructed Joash to do what was right during his lifetime
2 Chronicles 23:1-15 – Jehoiada makes a covenant with commanders and leads the coup against Athaliah
2 Chronicles 24:2-3 – Jehoiada provided wives for Joash who bore him sons and daughters to preserve the Davidic line
2 Chronicles 24:15-16 – Jehoiada lived to old age and was buried with the kings because of his good service
2 Chronicles 24:20-22 – Joash has Jehoiada’s son Zechariah stoned to death for rebuking the people’s idolatry
Stories and Accounts about Jehoiada
The Bible contains several dramatic stories and accounts focused on Jehoiada’s life, including:
- Hiding Joash from Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1-3) – The daring six-year effort, likely orchestrated by Jehoiada, to hide the infant Joash from the murderous Queen Athaliah.
- The Revolt Against Athaliah (2 Kings 11:4-16) – Jehoiada cunningly plotted with army commanders to stage a coup to overthrow Athaliah and crown Joash king.
- Repairing the Temple (2 Kings 12:4-16) – Under Jehoiada’s guidance, King Joash ordered repairs to the temple, which had fallen into disarray under Athaliah’s rule.
- Rebuke and Death of Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22) – Jehoiada’s son Zechariah confronted Judah’s idolatry so Joash had him stoned to death in the temple courts.
These accounts provide intriguing examples of Jehoiada’s shrewdness, conviction, leadership, and ultimately tragic end of his legacy due to Joash’s later unfaithfulness as king.
Jehoiada and Other Biblical Figures
Throughout his long life, Jehoiada interacted with several significant biblical figures, including:
- King Joash – As high priest, Jehoiada protected Joash as a child, led the revolt to install him as king, and guided him into early faithfulness before Joash turned away.
- Athaliah – Jehoiada boldly spearheaded the coup that overthrew Athaliah’s brutal and idolatrous reign over Judah.
- Zechariah – His own son Zechariah followed him as a faithful priest but was killed by Joash for rebuking the people’s sin.
- Jehosheba – His wife Jehosheba bravely rescued the infant Joash from Athaliah’s murderous rampage to preserve the Davidic lineage.
- Amaziah – This next king after Joash likely overlapped with Jehoiada in his final years as priest before he died at age 130.
Jehoiada faithfully interacted with and influenced these kings, queens, priests, and prophets during his long service to Judah and the Lord.
Jehoiada and Jesus Christ
While Jehoiada lived centuries before Jesus Christ, he still played an important part in God’s plan of redemption that led up to the coming of the Messiah. Here are some key connections between Jehoiada and Jesus Christ:
- By preserving Joash’s life, Jehoiada protected the lineage of David, through whom Jesus would be born as the prophesied Messiah (Isaiah 11:1, Matthew 1:6).
- Jehoiada pointed Israel back to faithful worship of God, just as Jesus did spiritually as the ultimate High Priest and sacrifice (Hebrews 3:1).
- Jehoiada mentored Joash in the ways of the Lord when he was young, just as Jesus does for all believers as they grow in spiritual maturity (2 Peter 3:18).
- Jehoiada’s son Zechariah was martyred for boldly speaking truth, just as Jesus was unjustly crucified even though He only spoke God’s truth.
God used Jehoiada mightily to set the stage both physically and spiritually for the coming of the Messiah. Jehoiada’s courageous faith under incredibly difficult circumstances serves as an inspiration for all who hope in the Son of David, Jesus Christ.
Jehoiada’s Relevance and Application for Today
While Jehoiada’s life and ministry occurred thousands of years ago, there are several key ways he remains relevant for Christians today:
- A model of courageous leadership – Jehoiada boldly led the revolt against an evil ruler to enact godly reform.
- A selfless mentor – He guided Joash in following the Lord instead of personal gain.
- Committed to purity in worship – Jehoiada cleared idolatry from the temple and restored faithful worship.
- Willing to speak truth to power – as both he and his son Zechariah did unflinchingly.
- A reminder God works through ordinary people – Jehoiada allowed God to work through him.
When believers today face pressures to compromise, overlook injustice, or remain silent, Jehoiada provides an example of courage, conviction, and relying on God to work through our obedience. Jehoiada played his part in God’s plan faithfully, and we can do the same in our day.
