And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.

2 KINGS 12:20KJV
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2 Kings 12:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:20 mean?

2 Kings 12:20 describes how the servants of King Joash formed a plot against him and killed him in the house of Millo, a specific location that led down to a place called Silla. This verse records the assassination of Joash by those who served under him, marking the end of his reign.

The setting is the southern kingdom of Judah, where Joash had been king. The verse notes that his own servants conspired (not outsiders or foreign enemies) and carried out the killing in a named building, the house of Millo, which is thought to be a significant structure in Jerusalem. The mention of Silla gives a specific geographic detail, though its exact location is uncertain today.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:20

  • "Servants" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved, H5650) refers to royal officials or attendants, not just household slaves. This highlights that Joash was betrayed by trusted members of his own court.
  • "Conspiracy" (קֶשֶׁר, qesher, H7195) means a secret plot or alliance. The word often carries the sense of a coordinated betrayal, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the act.
  • "House of Millo" (בֵּית הַמִּלּוֹא, beit ha-millo, H1004 + H4407/H1037) refers to a fortified structure or area in Jerusalem. The name suggests a place of strength or filling, possibly a defensive rampart, showing that Joash was killed in what should have been a secure location.
  • "Down" (יָרַד, yarad, H3381) means to go down or descend. The verse notes the house of Millo "goes down to Silla," giving a sense of the physical layout and movement involved in the event.

Why 2 Kings 12:20 matters

  • This verse makes clear that Joash's death was not the result of battle or outside invasion, but an internal betrayal by his own trusted servants.
  • The specific mention of the house of Millo and Silla roots the event in real locations, giving the account historical and geographical detail.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of Joash's reign, showing a dramatic reversal from his earlier reforms and the instability that followed, setting up the transition to the next king.

Where else these words appear

“Millo” Hebrew H1037 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 9:6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
  • Judges 9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

“Millo” Hebrew H4407 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 9:6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
  • 2 Samuel 5:9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
  • 1 Kings 11:27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.

“conspiracy” Hebrew H7195 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
  • 2 Kings 15:15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

“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 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;