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.

2 CHRONICLES 24:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 24:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 24:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 24:22 says that King Joash did not remember the kindness Jehoiada had shown him, but instead killed Jehoiada’s son. As Jehoiada’s son was dying, he called on the LORD to see what happened and hold Joash accountable.

This verse describes a moment of betrayal: Joash, who owed his life and throne to Jehoiada, turned against Jehoiada’s family. The dying words of Jehoiada’s son are a plea for God’s justice, highlighting how serious and personal this act of violence was in the story.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 24:22

  • "Remembered" (זָכַר, zakar): This word means more than just recalling facts; it often carries the sense of acting in response to what one remembers. Joash’s failure to "remember" Jehoiada’s kindness means he ignored his duty to repay good with good.
  • "Kindness" (חֶסֶד, chesed): This word means loyal love, faithfulness, or mercy. Jehoiada had shown deep, covenant-like loyalty to Joash, which makes Joash’s betrayal even more striking.
  • "Require" (דָּרַשׁ, darash): This word means to seek, inquire, or demand. When Jehoiada’s son says, “The LORD look upon it, and require it,” he is asking God to pay attention and demand justice for this wrong.

Why 2 Chronicles 24:22 matters

  • This verse highlights the seriousness of ingratitude and betrayal, especially when someone turns against a person who has shown them great kindness.
  • The use of "chesed" (loyal love) and the plea for God to "require" justice connects this personal story to bigger themes in the Bible about faithfulness and divine justice.
  • The verse sets up the consequences that follow for Joash, showing that actions against God’s faithful people do not go unnoticed.

Where else these words appear

“Joash” Hebrew H3101 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • 2 Kings 13:9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,

“Jehoiada” Hebrew H3077 · used in 48 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 1 Kings 4:4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
  • 2 Chronicles 23:8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.