A King Ruined by Bad Associations

King Jehoash narrowly escaped assassination as an infant.  When Jehoash reached seven years of age, High Priest Jehoiada courageously took him out of hiding and made him king.  Because God-fearing Jehoiada acted as father and advisor to Jehoash, the young ruler "kept  doing what was right in Jehovah's eyes all the days of Jehoiada the priest." -2 Chronicles 22:10-23:1, 11; 24:1, 2.

Jehoash's  good deeds included renovating Jehovah's temple-an act that was "close to the heart of Jehoash."  He reminded High Priest Jehoiada of the need to collect the temple tax from Judah and Jerusalem, as "ordered by Moses,"  so as to finance the repair word. Evidently, Jehoiada had succeeded in encouraging the young king  to study and obey God's  Law. As a result, work on the temple and temple utensils was quickly completed. -2 Chronicles 24:4, 6, 13, 14; Deuteronomy 17:18.

Sadly, Jehoash's obedience to Jehovah failed to last.  Why?  God's Word tells us:  After Jehoiada death the princes of Judah came in and proceeded to bow down to the king. At that time the king listened to them.  And gradually they left the house of Jehovah the God of their forefathers and began serving the sacred poles and the idols, so that there came to be indignation against Judah and Jerusalem because of this guilt of theirs."  the unwholesome influence of Judah's princes also led the king to turn a deaf ear to God's prophets, one of whom was Jehoiada's son Zechariah, who courageously reproved Jehoash and the people for their disobedience.  Rather than repent, Jehoash had Zechariah stoned to death.  What a heartless, disobedient man Jehoash had become -all because he succumbed to the influence of bad associations! -2 Chronicles 24:17-22; 1 Corinthians 15:33. 

Having abandoned Jehovah, how did Jehoash and his wicked princely associates fare?  A military force of Syrians-just a small number of men"-invaded Judah and  "brought all the princes of the people to ruin."  The invaders also forced the king to give over his own possession as well as the gold and silver of the sanctuary.  Although Jehoash survived, he was left a broken  and diseased man. Shortly thereafter, conspirators from among his own servants assassinated him.  (2 Chronicles 24:23-25; 2 Kings 12:17, 18)  How true Jehovah's words to Israel:  "If you will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God by taking care to do all his commandments and his statutes . . ., maledictions must also come upon you and overtake you!"  -Deuteronomy 28:15. 

Next time: A Secretary Saved by Obedience

The Watchtower, 2002