Joash Repairs the Temple and Then Acts Wickedly: 24:1–16   This section closely follows the source text in 2 Kings 11:1–12:16, except in the last two verses, which belong to the Chronicler’s own additions. Second Chronicles 24:1–3 contains the information normally provided at the beginning of a king’s reign (ca. 835–796 B.C. in Joash’s case). The positive evaluation of the king (Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD) sounds an ominous note already by mentioning that this was the case all the years of Jehoiada the priest. Later we will see that things changed dramatically after Jehoiada died.

In his version the Chronicler omits 2 Kings 12:3, which states that “the high places . . . were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.” That statement w…