For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

2 KINGS 12:21KJV
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2 Kings 12:21 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:21 mean?

2 Kings 12:21 tells how King Joash was killed by two of his own servants, Jozachar and Jehozabad, and after his death, he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. The verse also notes that Joash’s son Amaziah became king after him.

This verse is part of the account of King Joash’s reign over Judah. The verse names the two servants, Jozachar (son of Shimeath) and Jehozabad (son of Shomer), who carried out the assassination. The mention of Joash being buried with his fathers in the city of David shows he was given the honor of a royal burial, and the succession of Amaziah marks the continuation of the royal line.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:21

  • "Servants" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word often means more than just household workers; it can refer to officials or people with significant roles in the king’s service. Their betrayal is especially striking given their position.
  • "Smote" (נָכָה, nākhāh): This verb means to strike or kill, emphasizing the violent nature of Joash’s death at the hands of his own trusted men.
  • "Buried" (קָבַר, qāvar): The act of burial “with his fathers” shows Joash received the traditional honor due to kings, despite his violent end.

Why 2 Kings 12:21 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Joash’s death was not from natural causes but from an internal conspiracy, which is important for understanding the instability in Judah’s royal court.
  • Naming the assassins and their parentage adds a historical detail that grounds the story and may hint at wider discontent or factionalism within the kingdom.
  • The transition to Amaziah as king shows the continuity of the Davidic line, even after a violent change of leadership, which is a key theme in the books of Kings.

Where else these words appear

“Shimeath” Hebrew H8100 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 24:26 And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

“Shomer” Hebrew H7763 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 7:32 And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.

“Jehozabad” Hebrew H3075 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
  • 2 Chronicles 17:18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:26 And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

“Amaziah” Hebrew H558 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 13:12 And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Kings 15:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
  • 2 Chronicles 25:17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.