IOIADA. — Among the biblical figures of this name, two deserve special mention.
1) A priest, son of Banaia, who was a counselor to King David alongside Abiathar, following the death of the traitor Achitophel (1 Chron. 27:34). He himself had a son named Banaia, who was among the military leaders (1 Chron. 27:5) under the same king and one of the most influential supporters of Solomon in the succession to the throne (cf. 1 Kings 1). Some believe that in both cases the same person is referred to: J. son of Banaia. However, the reasons advanced to justify the inversion of names in the biblical text are not convincing.
2) High priest during the reign of Queen Athalia (842–836 BC) and King Joash of Judah (836–797 BC; 2 Kings 11–12; 2 Chron. 22–24). After Athalia (q.v.), following the death of King Ahaziah, had slaughtered all the royal descendants to secure the throne for herself, J. saved the young Joash, son of Ahaziah, with the help of his wife Jehosheba (q.v.), and secretly raised him in the Temple until he was seven years old. He then presented the boy to the nation and had him proclaimed king, deposing the wicked Queen Athalia, who was executed by the people. J. remained constantly at the side of the young king, aiding him with wise counsel in the work of religious and political restoration. As long as J. lived, Joash behaved well: he demolished the temple and the idols of Baal that Athalia had erected and renewed the covenant between Yahweh and Israel; he also restored the regular Temple service and promoted its repairs. J. died at the age of 130 and was buried in the royal tombs. After his death, King Joash changed his conduct and fell into idolatry; Zechariah (q.v.), J.’s son, who dared to publicly rebuke him, was stoned in the Temple courtyard (2 Chron. 24:20–25).