Jehoash, also known as Joash, was a king of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Jehoash ascended to the throne as a child, following the tumultuous period of Athaliah's usurpation, and was guided by the priest Jehoiada, who played a significant role in his early reign. Jehoash is noted for his initial commitment to restoring the worship of Yahweh and repairing the Temple, but his later years were marked by a departure from these reforms and a turn towards idolatry after Jehoiada's death.

The death of Jehoash is recorded in 2 Kings 12:19-21 and 2 Chronicles 24:23-27. According to the biblical narrative, Jehoash's later reign was characterized by political instability and spiritual decline. After Jehoiada's death, Jehoash listened to the advice of the officials of Judah, who led him away from the worship of Yahweh. This apostasy provoked divine judgment, and the kingdom faced invasions and internal strife.

In 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 , it is recorded: "In the spring, the army of Aram marched against Jehoash; they invaded Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to the king of Damascus. Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a very great army, because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. So judgment was executed on Joash."

Jehoash's end came through a conspiracy by his own servants. The biblical account in 2 Kings 12:20-21 states: "His servants conspired against him and killed Joash at Beth-millo, on the road that goes down to Silla. His servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the City of David, and his son Amaziah reigned in his place."

The assassination of Jehoash was a result of his betrayal of the covenant with God and the murder of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who had rebuked the people for their idolatry. This act of violence against a prophet of God is seen as a pivotal moment that sealed Jehoash's fate. 2 Chronicles 24:25 adds: "When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."

Jehoash's death serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of faithful leadership. His assassination by his own servants highlights the internal decay and discontent that can arise from unfaithfulness and injustice. Despite his promising beginnings, Jehoash's legacy is marred by his failure to uphold the covenant with God, leading to his downfall and the subsequent challenges faced by the kingdom of Judah.