Bible Figure
Jehoiada
Biblical character, in 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings
Jehoiada was the high priest who protected the child Joash, overthrew Athaliah, restored the Davidic king, and led religious reform in Judah.
Biography
After Athaliah seized power and attempted to destroy the royal family, Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba concealed the infant Joash in the Temple for six years. Jehoiada organized a carefully planned coup, publicly crowned Joash, and had Athaliah removed and executed. He renewed covenant commitment, destroyed the temple of Baal, restored orderly worship, and guided Joash for many years. Chronicles says Jehoiada lived 130 years and was buried among the kings because of the good he had done for God and His house.
Biblical Significance
Jehoiada preserved the Davidic dynasty at a moment when it nearly disappeared and exercised unusually influential priestly leadership. Joash's later decline after Jehoiada's death underscores the priest's stabilizing spiritual influence.