IOIADA. — Among the biblical figures bearing this name, two deserve special mention.
1) A priest, son of Banaia, counsellor of King David together with Abiathar, after the death of the traitor Achitophel (I Par. 27:34). He in turn had a son named Banaia, who was among the commanders of the army (I Par. 27:5) under the same king, and among Solomon’s most authoritative supporters in the succession to the throne (cf. I Reg. 1). Some think that in both cases the same person is meant: I., son of Banaia. But the reasons put forward to justify the inversion of the names in the biblical text are unconvincing.
2) High priest at the time of Queen Athalia (842–836 B.C.) and Ioas, king of Judah (836–797 B.C.; II Reg. 11–12; II Par. 22–24). Athalia (v.), following the death of King Ochozia, had massacred all the descendants of the royal line in order to secure the throne for herself alone, I., with ISBOSETH (v.), rescued the young Ioas, son of Ochozia, and secretly raised him in the Temple until he was seven years old. He then presented him to the nation and had him proclaimed king, deposing the wicked queen Athalia, who was executed by the people. He remained constantly at the young king’s side and assisted him with his wise counsel in the work of religious and political restoration. As long as I. lived, Ioas conducted himself well: he demolished the temple and the images of Baal that had been erected by Athalia, and renewed the covenant between Jahweh and Israel; he also restored the regular worship of the Temple and promoted its renovation. I. died at the age of 130 and was buried in the tombs of the kings. After his death, King Ioas changed his conduct and abandoned himself to idolatry; ZACCARIA, SANTO (v.), son of I., who dared to rebuke him publicly, was stoned in the Temple courtyard (II Par. 24:20–25).