2 Chronicles 24:17

The Wickedness of Joash

17 After the death of Jehoiada, however, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

2 Chronicles 24:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 24:17

Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah,
&c.] Who had been secretly inclined to idolatry, but durst not discover it during the life of Jehoiada; whose influence at court was too great for them to counterwork, but when dead they came to court:

and made obeisance to the king;
bowed in a very lowly manner, fawned upon him, and flattered him. Some Jewish writers, as Kimchi observes, understand this of religious adoration, that they made a god of him, and worshipped him, pretending, as a foundation for it, his being hid six months in the temple, and preserved; but it designs no more than civil worship and homage:

then the king hearkened unto them;
coursing with him about divine worship, which the business they came about; desiring that they might, not be obliged to come to Jerusalem to worship, but might make use of the high places, and by that means worship what idol they pleased, which he granted to them; the Targum is,

``he received their idols from them.''

2 Chronicles 24:17 In-Context

15 When Jehoiada was old and full of years, he died at the age of 130.

16 And Jehoiada was buried with the kings in the City of David, because he had done what was good in Israel for God and His temple.

17 After the death of Jehoiada, however, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

18 They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and idols. So wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.

19 Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him and to testify against them, but they would not listen.