"When did Jehoash become king of Israel?" (Alleged Contradiction #E4548)
In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. … 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.
II Kings 13:1, 10
Verse 1 says that Joash’s father, Jehoahaz, began reigning in Joash’s 23rd year, and that Jehoahaz reigned for 17 years, which adds up to Joash’s 40th year. But then the Bible says Jehoash began reigning in Joash’s 37th year.
Response
The following is the order of events: 1
-
Jehoahaz began to reign (in the 23rd year of Joash)
- 14 years later, Jehoash begins to reign as “pro-regent” (not co-regent), the next designated king
- 3 years later, Jehoahaz dies, and Jehoash begins his full regency
The “three-year gap” is the pro-regency of Jehoash, when his father designated him as the next king and began his training.
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Sources
Jones, F. N. (2004). Chronology of the Old Testament: a return to the basics (15th ed.). Green Forest, Ark.: Master Books.
Notes
- Jones, 2004 ↩