2 Chronicles 24:17

The Evil Things Joash Did

17 After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah came to King Joash. They bowed down to him. 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 Jehoiada had become very old. He died at the age of 130.

16 His body was buried with the kings in the City of David. That's because he had done so many good things in Israel for God and his temple.

17 After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah came to King Joash. They bowed down to him. He listened to them.

18 They turned their backs on the temple of the Lord, the God of their people. They worshiped poles that were made to honor the goddess Asherah. They also worshiped statues of other gods. Because Judah and Jerusalem were guilty of sin, God became angry with them.

19 The LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him. The prophets gave witness against the people. But they wouldn't listen.