2 Chronicles 24:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joash forgot Jehoiada's compassion and killed his son; Zechariah's dying words called on God to judge.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 24:22
Joash's betrayal of his mentor and the prophet's appeal to God.
What Does 2 Chronicles 24:22 Mean?
The phrase 'remembered not the kindness' captures Joash's ingratitude. Jehoiada had rescued him, guided him, and elevated him to authentic kingship. Repaying such kindness with the murder of Jehoiada's son—effectively an attack on Jehoiada's legacy—revealed Joash's complete moral inversion. Once a boy dependent on Jehoiada's wisdom, he became a man who rejected it utterly.
Zechariah's dying prayer—'The LORD look upon it, and require it'—invoked divine justice. The prophet's blood cried out (Genesis 4:10) for vindication. This prayer positioned God as the true judge and set the stage for retribution that would soon follow. Joash's action moved from human rebellion to cosmic significance.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 24:22
What does 2 Chronicles 24:22 mean?
Joash forgot Jehoiada's compassion and killed his son; Zechariah's dying words called on God to judge.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 24:22?
Joash's betrayal of his mentor and the prophet's appeal to God.