In the year of the World 3120, before J. C. 880, before the Vulgar Æra 884. 2 Kings xi. xii. and 2 Chron. xxiii. xxiv.JEHOIADA, by Josephus called Joadus, succeeded Azariah in the High-Priesthood, and was himself succeeded by Zechariah. The Chronicles seem to have confounded Johanan and Azariah with Jehoiada and Zechariah. See I Chron. vi. 9, 10. We have already said a good deal of Jehoiada in the Article ATHALIAH, and shall say more of him in that of JOASH. This High-Priest, with his wife Jehoshabeath, preserved the young King Joash, the son of Joram King of Judah, who was then but one year old, from the violence of Athaliah, who, that she might alone enjoy the Kingdom, had undertaken intirely to extinguish the Royal Family. Jehoiada concealed this young Prince in the Temple, and his nurse with him; and at seven years end, he took care to have him acknowledged King, and set him on the Throne of David, having first destroy’d the cruel Athaliah. In this whole affair he discovered an admirable degree of prudence, wisdom, and good conduct.
In the year of the World 3126, before J. C. 874, before the Vulgar Æra 878.As soon as Athaliah was dead, and the young Prince established on the Throne, he ordered the Temple of Baal to be demolished, and his Statue broken in pieces. The face of the Kingdom was quite changed under the direction of his care and counsel both in religious and civil matters; and as long as Jehoiada lived, and Joash followed his advice, every thing succeeded very happily. The High-Priest had formed a design of making some necessary repairs in the Temple, and to that purpose had collected considerable sums in all the Cities of Judah2 Kings xii. and 2 Chron. xxiv. 5, 6, &c.: but the Levites did not acquit themselves of this commission with all the diligence that was proper, and the work of repairing the House of God was not carried on as it ought to have been, till after the King was at age, and this Prince and the High-Priest both united their authority in procuring the execution of this design.
Jehoiada left a son, by name Zechariah, who was High-Priest after him, and put 2 Chron. xxiv. 20, 21.put to death by Joash, with an ingratitude which has loaded his memory with eternal ignominy and reproach. See JOASH and In the year of the World 3164, before J. C. 836, before the Vulgar Æra 840. 2 Chron. xxiv. 15.ZECHARIAH. As for Jehoiada, he died in a good old age, being an hundred and thirty, in the year of the World 3160, before Jesus Christ 830, before the Vulgar Æra 834. He was buried in the Sepulcher belonging to the Kings at Jerusalem, a distinction which was due to the services which he had done the King, the State, and Royal Family.