The term one-hit wonder is often used to describe an artist who has a popular hit at the beginning of their career but fails to follow up with anything significant. In many ways, Joash was a one hit wonder. He came to the throne and began his reign under the tutelage of Jehoiada, the righteous priest. He made a splash when he decided to restore the Temple and reform. But the rest of his career did not live up to the early hype.

Recall that Joash was saved from Athaliah’s murderous purge by his aunt Jehosheba. Along with her husband Jehoiada, Jehosheba concealed Joash for seven years until the circumstances were right for him to be revealed as heir to the throne. Too young to rule, he spent his early years following Jehoiada’s lead. Since Jehoiada was loyal to God, Joash was also loyal to Him. He even initiated a campaign to restore the Temple in Jerusalem (vv. 4–5).

The shame of his defection, however, is revealed when he decided to loot the Temple and royal treasury to pay off the foreign king Hazael to prevent him from invading (v. 18). By doing this he revealed that he preferred to trust his riches more than his God (see Deut. 17:14–21, 2 Chron. 24:17–19). His people were so disapproving that he was assassinated in a coup d’état! Why would a faithful king who seemed committed to the God of Israel suddenly doubt Him? A detail from 2 Chronicles 24 reveals that Joash’s commitment to God lasted only as long his mentor was alive! As soon as Jehoiada died, Joash was persuaded by the princes of Judah to abandon the God of Israel and worship idols! Despite the potential seen in him at the beginning of his reign, he failed to commit to finishing well.

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