Jehozabad
The Assassin of King Joash
The most prominent Jehozabad was one of the conspirators who assassinated King Joash (also called Jehoash) of Judah. According to 2 Kings 12:21, Jehozabad was a son of Shomer, while the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 24:26 identifies him as the son of Shimrith, a Moabitess. The assassination took place after Joash had turned away from faithfulness to God following the death of the priest Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:17-22). Joash had even ordered the stoning of Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who prophesied against the king's idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:21).
The Context of the Assassination
The murder of Joash was not merely a political act but is presented in Scripture as divine judgment. After Joash abandoned the temple of the Lord and served the Asherah poles and idols, prophets were sent to bring him back, but he refused to listen (2 Chronicles 24:18-19). The conspirators struck Joash while he lay wounded after an Aramean invasion, killing him on his bed (2 Chronicles 24:25). Significantly, Joash was not buried in the tombs of the kings, a sign of disgrace (2 Chronicles 24:25).
A Levitical Doorkeeper
A second Jehozabad served as a Korahite doorkeeper, listed among the sons of Obed-edom (1 Chronicles 26:4). The Korahites were a Levitical family responsible for guarding the entrances to the tabernacle and later the temple. This was a position of trust and honor, as the doorkeepers controlled access to the sacred space and protected the worship of God from unauthorized intrusion. Obed-edom's family was especially blessed after the ark of the covenant rested in his house (2 Samuel 6:11).
A Benjamite Military Commander
The third Jehozabad was a Benjamite who served as one of King Jehoshaphat's military commanders. According to 2 Chronicles 17:18, Jehozabad commanded 180,000 men armed for war. Jehoshaphat organized his military forces throughout the fortified cities of Judah, and these commanders led the standing army that helped maintain peace during his reign. This Jehozabad's service under one of Judah's most righteous kings stands in contrast to the Jehozabad who killed one of its most faithless ones.
The Name's Meaning
The name Jehozabad combines the divine name Yahweh with the Hebrew verb meaning 'to bestow' or 'to give,' resulting in the meaning 'Yahweh has bestowed.' This name reflects the Israelite practice of acknowledging God's gifts through naming. The three men who bore this name served in very different capacities, from guarding the temple to commanding armies to carrying out what was portrayed as divine judgment against an unfaithful king.
Biblical Context
Jehozabad appears in 2 Kings 12:21 and 2 Chronicles 24:26 as an assassin of King Joash, in 1 Chronicles 26:4 as a Levitical doorkeeper, and in 2 Chronicles 17:18 as a military commander under Jehoshaphat. These references span the historical books covering the divided monarchy period.
Theological Significance
The assassination carried out by Jehozabad illustrates the biblical principle that unfaithfulness to God has consequences, even for kings. Joash's story shows how a ruler who began well under godly mentorship could fall into apostasy after losing that guidance. The contrast between the three Jehozabads also demonstrates that individuals with the same spiritual heritage can serve God's purposes in vastly different ways.
Historical Background
The assassination of King Joash fits a pattern of regicide in the ancient Near East, where rulers who lost the confidence of their court were vulnerable to conspiracy. The mention of Jehozabad's mother as a Moabitess (2 Chronicles 24:26) may indicate foreign influence within the royal court. The Korahite doorkeepers mentioned in 1 Chronicles 26 reflect the organized temple service system established by David and maintained throughout the monarchy.