The action takes place in the kingdom of Judea, in the temple of Jerusalem. Joram, the seventh king of the Jews of the dynasty of David, married Hofolia, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who ruled the kingdom of Israel. Hofolia, like her parents, is an idolater who persuaded her husband to build the Temple of Baal in Jerusalem. Joram soon died of a terrible disease. Intending to exterminate the entire family of David, Hofolia betrayed to the executioners all the grandsons of Joram (his children had already died by that time). However, Joram’s daughter, from another wife, Josavef, saved the last grandson and sole heir of the kingdom of David Joas and hid the high priest Jodai in the temple with her husband. The boy does not know that he is the king of the Jews, and Jehoiada (or Yehuda) prepares him for entering the kingdom, educating him in strictness and respect for the laws. Jehoiada waits for the moment to reveal to the people a new king, although he has few allies, for everyone is afraid of the wrath of Hofolia, who demands universal worship of Baal. However, Jodai hopes for God's mercy, he believes that in any case the Lord will protect the king of Judea, even if there are crowds of idolaters around with arms in their hands. The high priest believes in miracles and tries to convince everyone else in his faith - the commander Abner, the Levites, people who do not yet know that the heir to the throne of David is hiding in the temple, under the name of Eliakim.

Once during the service, Hofolia unexpectedly entered the temple and saw Eliakim, who in white robes served Iodai with his son Iodai Zacharias. The appearance of an idolater is considered a desecration, and Jehoiada demanded that she leave the temple. However, Gofolia noticed the boy and now wants to know who he is, for she had a dream in which her mother predicted her death, and then a young man in white Levitical clothes with a dagger appeared, and in Eliakim she suddenly recognized that young man. The apostate priest Matthan, who became the priest of Baal, says that the boy must be killed, since he is dangerous, because a dream is a heavenly sign, "who is suspected is guilty before the trial."

Hofolia wants to take a closer look at the boy, since the child cannot be hypocritical and will tell her who he is, what kind of person. When they bring Joash, he replies that he is an orphan and the King of heaven cares for him, that his parents abandoned him. The truthfulness and charm of the child touched Hofolia. She offers him to live in her palace and believe in her God, and not in Baal. She has no heirs, the boy will be like her own son.

Later, Hofolia sends Josavef Matthana to say that for the right to pray to her God in the temple, Yodai and the Levites should give her the foundling of Eliakim. If they refuse, then they will confirm the suspicions and rumors that the child is from a noble family and is raising him for a hidden purpose. Josavef passes the words of Matthan to Jodai and offers to flee with the child to the desert. However, the high priest accuses her of cowardice and decides that it is time to act and that Eliakim can no longer be hidden - he must appear in royal dress and a crown. The virgo choir sings the glory of the Lord. This choir and the Levites are the only protection of the heir to the throne of David, there is no one else in the temple, but Jehoiada believes that the Lord will give such strength to this army that no one will break them.

In the temple, the ceremony of erecting the kingdom is being prepared; Josavef is trying on the royal crown on Joash (Eliakim). He does not yet understand what the matter is, and believes that he will only help to perform the rite of Yodai, whom he honors as a father. Iodai asks if the boy is ready to follow David's example in life, and he replies that he is ready. Then Jodai kneels before him and proclaims that he honors his new king. Other priests also swear allegiance to him.

Leviticus appears and reports that the temple is surrounded by troops. Iodai sets up people for the protection of the temple and calls on the choir of virgins to appeal to the Creator.

Zechariah, the son of Jodai, tells his sister Sulamite how the Levite troops were set up to defend the temple. The priests begged his father to hide at least the ark of the covenant, but he answered them that this cowardice did not suit them, for the ark always helped to defeat the enemy.

The commander Abner appears, whom Hofolia released from prison to say that the priests will be spared if they give her Eliakim and the treasure that David had once given to the temple for preservation. Abner advises to give Hofolia all the values ​​and thus save the temple. He himself is ready to go to execution instead of Eliakim, if it brings peace and quiet. The fate of the boy is in the hands of the Lord, and no one knows how the queen will behave - has God already instilled pity in her heart? Abner begs Jodai to try to “delay the blow with concessions,” while he himself will take measures to save the temple and the priests. Iodai reveals to Abner the secret of Eliakim, He is ready to give the Queen the treasures and tell her what kind of boy, when she enters the temple without her soldiers, Abner should persuade her to do this. Iodai instructs the Levite to close the gate of the temple as soon as the queen is inside to cut her way back, and all the other priests will call the people to the rescue. The armed Levites and the king will be hidden for the time being.

Hofolia appears and, calling Jodai a rebel, says that she could destroy him and the temple, but by agreement she is ready to pick up only the treasure and the boy. Jehoiada is ready to show them to her. The veils are opened, and Jehoiada invites the king of Judah to appear. Joash and the armed Levites come out. Hofolia is terrified, and Jehoiada tells her that the Lord himself cut off her paths to retreat. The leader of the priests Ismail enters and reports that the hired soldiers of Hofolia are running - the Lord inspired fear in their hearts, the people rejoice, having learned that a new king has appeared to take the throne. Baal is cast to dust, and the priest Matthan is slain. Hofolia recognizes Joash by the scar from the blow of her knife when he was still a baby. Hofolia is ready for death, but in the end she predicts that the time will come when Joash, like her, will turn his back on his God and defile his altar and avenge her. Joash is terrified and says that it is better for him to die than to become an apostate. Jehoiada reminds the king of Judea that there is God in heaven — a judge of earthly kings and an “orphan of parents.”