2 Kings 12:19-21 - Exposition

The close of the reign of Joash—his murder by his servants . Again the narrative of Kings is to be supplemented by that of Chronicles. From Chronicles we learn that, before the withdrawal of the Syrians, Joash had fallen into a severe illness, which confined him to his apartment ( 2 Chronicles 24:25 ). This gave opportunity for conspiracy. Among the courtiers were two, perhaps more, whom the fate of Zechariah had grieved, and who were probably opposed to the entire series of later changes in religion which had been sanctioned by Joash ( 2 Chronicles 24:17 , 2 Chronicles 24:18 ). These persons "made a conspiracy," which was successful, and "slew Joash on his bed" ( 2 Chronicles 24:25 ). They then buried him in Jerusalem, but "not in the sepulchers of the kings."