2 Chronicles 24:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king and princes abandoned the Lord to worship idols; God's anger turned against them.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 24:18
Joash and the princes turn to idolatry after Jehoiada's death.
What Does 2 Chronicles 24:18 Mean?
The shift from temple maintenance to idol worship completes Joash's spiritual reversal. The 'groves and idols' reference the Asherah (fertility goddess) poles and carved images—symbols of the very contamination his restoration project had purged. By returning to these practices, Joash and the princes erased the spiritual gains of the previous generation.
Divine wrath followed immediately, showing God's response to covenant breach. The phrase 'their trespass' personalizes the sin—it was a deliberate abandonment, not an accident. The promised consequences of idolatry (Deuteronomy 11:28) manifested in the form of military invasion, plague, or upheaval, signaling God's displeasure.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 24:18
What does 2 Chronicles 24:18 mean?
The king and princes abandoned the Lord to worship idols; God's anger turned against them.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 24:18?
Joash and the princes turn to idolatry after Jehoiada's death.