Joash became king at the tender age of seven and reigned for forty years. He did well in many aspects, repairing God's temple and treating people kindly. However, he fell short of fully obeying God by tolerating idol worship in the form of "high places." Despite Joash's initial dedication, some believe he strayed from God's ways after the death of his mentor, Jehoiada. Joash allowed the worship of false gods, ignored warnings from prophets, and even offered sacred items to an enemy king. The story emphasizes the importance of obedience in both small and large matters, drawing parallels to Jesus' parable about faithfulness in little things leading to greater responsibilities.