In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Look closely at the timing: Jehoash's reign in Israel begins in the thirty-seventh year of Joash's reign in Judah. This overlap highlights how Israel's history, often marked by spiritual decline, was unfolding concurrently with Judah's, offering a stark contrast and a quiet warning.
In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse introduces a new king in Israel, Jehoash, reigning in Samaria, while also noting the overlapping reign of Joash in Judah. It sets the stage for the events that follow, detailing Jehoash of Israel's interactions with the prophet Elisha and his military campaigns against the Arameans, which are presented as a direct consequence of the nation's persistent sin. The narrative emphasizes God's long-suffering grace even as it details the ongoing spiritual decline of Israel.
Ever feel like you're living in the shadow of someone else's decisions? This verse marks a point where two distinct kingdoms, Judah and Israel, are ruled by different kings.
This verse introduces two kings reigning simultaneously: Joash of Judah and his contemporary, Jehoash of Israel. It's crucial to remember that at this point, the unified Kingdom of Israel had split into two: the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah).
We're given exact numbers for how long these kings ruled. What does the duration of a reign tell us about God's timeline and His people?
The verse states that Jehoash of Israel reigned for sixteen years. In the grand narrative of Scripture, a king's reign is significant for several reasons:
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c. 840 BC
Reign of Jehu in Israel
Jehu, having overthrown the house of Ahab, began his brutal reign over Israel, ushering in a period of political instability and divine judgment.
c. 835 BC
Hazael's Aramean Aggression
Hazael, the Aramean king, began a relentless campaign against Israel and Judah, capturing territory and inflicting heavy losses.
c. 835-800 BC
Reign of Jehoahaz in Israel
Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, ruled Israel during a time of severe oppression by the Arameans under Hazael. He cried out to the Lord, and God provided a deliverer.
c. 800 BC
Reign of Joash in Judah
Joash began his reign as king of Judah, a period marked by both religious reforms and ongoing conflicts with the northern kingdom of Israel.
c. 798 BC— this verse
Jehoash Reigns Over Israel
Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, began his sixteen-year reign as king of the divided northern kingdom of Israel. He inherited a severely weakened nation.
c. 796 BC
Jehoash Defeats Arameans
King Jehoash of Israel, perhaps emboldened by prophetic guidance, achieved significant victories against the Arameans, reclaiming lost Israelite cities.
c. 782 BC
Jehoash Defeats Amaziah of Judah
In a striking turn of events, King Jehoash of Israel defeated King Amaziah of Judah in battle, highlighting Israel's resurgence and Judah's vulnerability.
This verse provides the end of Jehoash's reign and his death, contrasting the start of his rule with its conclusion.
2 Kings 14:23-24This passage describes Jeroboam II, who succeeded Jehoash, highlighting the ongoing cycle of Israelite kings who did evil in the Lord's sight.
1 Kings 16:26This verse speaks to the deep-seated sinfulness of the kings of Israel, setting a context for understanding Jehoash's reign as part of a larger pattern of rebellion.
2 Chronicles 28:1This verse offers a parallel account of King Ahaz of Judah, another contemporary ruler, whose reign also illustrates the moral decay prevalent during this period.
Look closely at the timing: Jehoash's reign in Israel begins in the thirty-seventh year of Joash's reign in Judah. This overlap highlights how Israel's history, often marked by spiritual decline, was unfolding concurrently with Judah's, offering a stark contrast and a quiet warning.
This verse introduces a new king in Israel, Jehoash, reigning in Samaria, while also noting the overlapping reign of Joash in Judah. It sets the stage for the events that follow, detailing Jehoash of Israel's interactions with the prophet Elisha and his military campaigns against the Arameans, which are presented as a direct consequence of the nation's persistent sin. The narrative emphasizes God's long-suffering grace even as it details the ongoing spiritual decline of Israel.
This verse introduces a new king in Israel, Jehoash, reigning in Samaria, while also noting the overlapping reign of Joash in Judah. It sets the stage for the events that follow, detailing Jehoash of Israel's interactions with the prophet Elisha and his military campaigns against the Arameans, which are presented as a direct consequence of the nation's persistent sin. The narrative emphasizes God's long-suffering grace even as it details the ongoing spiritual decline of Israel.
"In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years." — Look closely at the timing: Jehoash's reign in Israel begins in the thirty-seventh year of Joash's reign in Judah. This overlap highlights how Israel's history, often marked by spiritual decline, w…
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Last reviewed October 2026