King Joash (Jehoash)

How He Became King: After his father Jehoahaz died
When He Began Reigning: Uncertain
Reign Length: 16 years
Ruled Over: Israel
Type of King: Evil
Prophet: Elisha
Death: Uncertain
Burial: Buried in Samaria

Joash became king after his father Jehoahaz died. He ruled Israel for 16 years, and did evil:

2 Kings 13:10: “In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.”

During his reign, Elisha fell sick and the king came to visit him:

2 Kings 13:14: “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.”

While Joash was there, Elisha told him to shoot arrows into the ground. The prophet explained that the arrows represented military victories over Syria. When the king only shot three arrows, Elisha became angry with him:

2 Kings 13:17: “And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.
19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.”

Elisha then died (2 Kings 13:20). Just as Elisha had foretold, Joash defeated the Syrians three times:

2 Kings 13:25: “And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.”

When Joash died, he was buried in Samaria:

2 Kings 13:13: “And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.”

His son Jeroboam then became king over Israel.