2 Chronicles 24:20

_AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON ZECHARIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA THE PRIEST, WHICH STOOD ABOVE THE PEOPLE, AND SAID UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH GOD, WHY TRANSGRESS YE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, THAT YE CANNOT PROSPER? BECAUSE YE HAVE FORSAKEN THE LORD, HE HATH ALSO FORSAKEN YOU._ The Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada - probably a younger son, because his name does not occur in the list of Aaron's successors, (1 Chronicles 6:1.) [Septuagint, Azarias]. STOOD ABOVE THE PEOPLE. Being of the priestly order, he spoke from the inner court which was considerably higher than that of the people. AND SAID UNTO THEM ... His near relationship to the king might have created a feeling of delicacy and reluctance to interfere; but at length he, too, was prompted by an irresistible impulse to protest against the prevailing impiety. The bold f

15-27 See what a great judgment on any prince or people, the death of godly, zealous, useful men is. See how necessary it is that we act in religion from inward principle. Then the loss of a parent, a minister, or a friend, will not be losing our religion. Often both princes and inferior people have been flattered to their ruin. True grace alone will enable a man to bring forth fruit unto the end. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, being filled with the Spirit of prophecy, stood up, and told the people of their sin. This is the work of ministers, by the word of God, as a lamp and a light, to discover the sin of men, and expound the providences of God. They stoned Zechariah to death in the court of the house of the Lord. Observe the dying martyr's words: The Lord look upon it, and require it! This came not from a spirit of revenge, but a spirit of prophecy. God smote Joash with great diseas...

Verse 2 Chronicles 24:20. _AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON ZECHARIAH_] "When he saw the transgression of the king and of the people, burning incense to an idol in the house of the sanctuary of the Lord, on the day of expiation; and preventing the priests of the Lord from offering the burnt-offerings, sacrifices, daily oblations, and services, as written in the book of the law of Moses; he stood above the people, and said." - _Targum_....

STOOD ABOVE THE PEOPLE - Zechariah, the high priest, took up an elevated position, perhaps on the steps of the inner court, which was elevated above the outer court, where the people would be....

EXPOSITION This chapter contains the entire career of Joash, and is answered to by the twelfth chapter of Kings. It tells of Joash's fidelity to God, and his worship and temple, while Jehoiada's life lasted (2 Chronicles 24:1); of his departure from God and permission of idolatry afterwards (2 Chronicles 24:15-14); of the punishment he received at the hands of the Syrians (2 Chronicles 24:23, 2 Chronicles 24:24); and of his miserable end (2 Chronicles 24:25-14). The d

AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON ZECHARIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA THE PRIEST,.... The spirit of prophecy, as the Targum; he was moved and influenced by it to speak what is after related: WHICH STOOD ABOVE THE PEOPLE; in a desk, or sort of pulpit, in which the priests stood when they taught the people, that they might be the better heard, like that which Ezra used, Ne 8:4 AND SAID UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH GOD; being moved and directed by his Spirit, he spake in his name: WHY TRANSGRESS YE THE COMMAND OF THE LORD, THAT YE CANNOT PROSPER? by committing idolatry, than which nothing could more hinder prosperity, both in things spiritual and temporal, in soul and body: BECAUSE YE HAVE FORSAKEN THE LORD, HE HATH ALSO FORSAKEN YOU; because they had forsaken the worship of God, as the Targum, God had forsaken them, and was about to give them up into the hand of their e

This chapter gives us the story of the reign of Joash. He was the only one of the royal seed who was preserved alive when Athaliah sought to destroy all the family of Ahaziah. He was hidden away for some six years in the temple by his aunt Jehoshabeath, the wife of Jehoiada the high priest, who arranged matters so well that, when the child was seven years old, Jehoiada caused him to be crowned king, and he put to death the cruel she-wolf Athaliah, who had destroyed the royal family. You see, therefore, how much this young king owed to his uncle the high-priest. Now let us read the story of his reign. 2 Chronicles 24:1. _Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem._ He might have reigned much longer had he not erred and turned aside from the right way, and so brought judgment upon himself....

CHAPTER 24 THE TEMPLE REPAIRED, APOSTASY AND ITS RESULTS _ 1. Joash's reign (2 Chronicles 24:1)_ 2. The failure of the priests (2 Chronicles 24:4) 3. The temple repaired (2 Chronicles 24:8) 4. Death of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:15) 5. The apostasy (2 Chronicles 24:17) 6. The Syrian invasion (2 Chronicles 24:23) 7. The death of Joash ...

Joash as king; his restoration of the Temple. There are some significant points of difference between this account and that of 2 K. According to the latter, the house of God having fallen into disrepair, Joash commands that certain dues and free-will offerings of the people are to be utilised by the priests for undertaking the repairs; the priests, however, while taking the money, do nothing for the repair of the Temple. As the result of a protest against this on the part of the king, the priests promise not to receive any more money from the people; but they refuse to repair the Temple. Thereupon Jehoiada, presumably at the command of the king, places a chest beside the altar into which the worshippers cast their gifts. When sufficient money has been received, the repair of the Temple is proceeded with. In the hands of the Chronicler this account becomes considerably modified. He could...

SPIRIT. Hebrew. _ruach._ App-9. CAME UPON. clothed. ZECHARIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA. In Zechariah 1:1 and Matthew 23:35. _second_ name is given, "son of Barachias". On the use of two or more names see note on 1 Chronicles 25:11. It is quite needless to assume that there is any error, when so simple. solution lies on the surface. SAITH. hath said.. rare form of the verb....