He was assassinated because those around him plotted to end his life, forever marking the downfall of a king whose promising start was undone by faithlessness and conspiracy.
Then his servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Joash at the house of Millo, as he was going down to Silla. (2 Kings 12:20) This verse describes the moment of King Joash’s assassination, carried out by those closest to him. Although Joash (also called Jehoash) began his reign as a child under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada, he eventually turned away from his earlier faithfulness and fell victim to the scheming of his own servants. The setting of his demise, the house of Millo, likely refers to a fortified structure or area within Jerusalem, and Silla was apparently a nearby location where Joash was traveling when he was ambushed.
Joash had ascended the throne of Judah around 835 BC at only seven years of age, after being hidden from his murderous grandmother, Athaliah. As long as the priest Jehoiada lived, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, repairing the temple and promoting correct worship. Later, however, Joash compromised his devotion and misused temple treasures, inviting discontent and political intrigue. In this way, 2 Kings 12:20 records the tragic culmination of his reign—an act of betrayal that shows how quickly spiritual resolve can be undermined when godly counsel is removed.
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2 Kings 12:20 meaning
Then his servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Joash at the house of Millo, as he was going down to Silla. (2 Kings 12:20) This verse describes the moment of King Joash’s assassination, carried out by those closest to him. Although Joash (also called Jehoash) began his reign as a child under the guidance of the priest Jehoiada, he eventually turned away from his earlier faithfulness and fell victim to the scheming of his own servants. The setting of his demise, the house of Millo, likely refers to a fortified structure or area within Jerusalem, and Silla was apparently a nearby location where Joash was traveling when he was ambushed.
Joash had ascended the throne of Judah around 835 BC at only seven years of age, after being hidden from his murderous grandmother, Athaliah. As long as the priest Jehoiada lived, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, repairing the temple and promoting correct worship. Later, however, Joash compromised his devotion and misused temple treasures, inviting discontent and political intrigue. In this way, 2 Kings 12:20 records the tragic culmination of his reign—an act of betrayal that shows how quickly spiritual resolve can be undermined when godly counsel is removed.