Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:4
Describes Solomon's heart as not being perfect with the Lord, contrasting with Jehoash who did what was right in the sight of the Lord in 2 Kings 12:2.
1 Kings 11:4: For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 14:3
Amaziah, like Joash, did what was right in the sight of the Lord but not like David his father, suggesting inconsistency in the definition of "doing right."
2 Kings 14:3: And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 15:3-4
Azariah did what was right in the sight of the Lord but did not remove the high places, while Jehoash's adherence under Jehoiada is considered right in 2 Kings 12:2.
2 Kings 15:3-4: And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 25:2
Amaziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart, suggesting complexity in the understanding of righteousness versus the positive view of Jehoash's actions.
2 Chronicles 25:2: And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
Paradox #1
The contradiction might arise when comparing this verse with other accounts in the Bible about King Joash's reign. While 2 Kings 12:2 states Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord as long as Jehoiada the priest instructed him, other parts of the Bible, like 2 Chronicles 24:17-22, indicate that after Jehoiada's death, Joash turned away from God, leading to negative consequences. This creates an inconsistency in how his reign is portrayed, depending on the source.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in 2 Kings 12:2 could be viewed in terms of the reliance on a spiritual advisor for doing what is right. While it suggests Jehoash did right only because of Jehoiada the priest's guidance, it raises questions about personal morality and integrity. Does this imply that people can't be morally good without guidance, or that they should be accountable for their own moral decisions? The conflict may lie in the dependency on another person for one's moral actions.