A king's legacy is often evaluated by his bravery and military triumphs. The historical records of the kings of Israel capture these achievements, summing up a ruler's life at the end of his reign. However, the timing of this particular summary presents a distinct puzzle. It formally concludes the life and reign of King Yoash, yet the immediate following events jump back in time to stories that occurred while he was still alive. Furthermore, an almost identical conclusion is repeated later in the historical account.
The primary approach among commentators is that this summary was intentionally moved forward for specific conceptual reasons. According to [מצודת דוד], placing the king's victories early directly connects his military success to his father's earlier prayers. It establishes Yoash as the savior who rescued the Israelites from the Arameans. Building on this idea, [אברבנאל] explains that the out-of-order summary serves as essential background for the upcoming story of the prophet Elisha's death. The narrative highlights that although Yoash was a powerful warrior who fought against Aram and Judah, his actual success stemmed entirely from Elisha's guidance and prayers. The king himself recognized this, viewing the prophet as the true military strength of the nation. Only after cementing this deep bond between the king and the prophet does the record return to detail the king's life in its proper chronological place.
Taking a different approach, [רד״ק] focuses on the political implications of this early summary. He notes that concluding Yoash's life right before mentioning his son Jeroboam hints at a shared kingship. Jeroboam was actually crowned while his father was still alive. Fearing that other sons might rebel and claim the throne, Yoash hurried to secure Jeroboam's position of power before his own death. This political maneuver explains why the transition of power is described as the son simply taking his seat on the throne, rather than the standard process of a new king reigning in his father's place.