_A.M. 3126. B.C. 878._ Jehoash reigns well all the days of Jehoiada, 2 Kings 12:1. He gives orders for repairing the temple, 2 Kings 12:4. Diverts Hazael from Jerusalem by a present of the sacred treasures, 2 Kings 12:17; 2 Kings 12:18. He is slain by his servants, and succeeded by Amaziah.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jehoash did what was right_, &c. Having, 1st, such a good director as Jehoiada was, so wise, experienced, and faithful: and, 2d, so much wisdom as to hearken to him, and be directed by him. Here we learn of what advantage it is to princes, especially while they are young, and indeed to young people... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the high places were not taken away_ The people were so much and so strangely addicted to these private altars, (on which they sacrificed to the true God,) that the preceding kings, though men of riper years and greater power and courage than Jehoash, and firmly established on their thrones, we... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jehoash said to the priests_ The house of God having been neglected, and suffered to go to decay in the time of Athaliah and her son, Jehoash, in gratitude to God, who had preserved him there, resolved to have it repaired; and, in order thereto, commanded what money should be set apart for that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the priests take it to them_, &c. Let them go abroad through all the parts of the land, as they have acquaintance and interest, and gather up the money, and bring it to Jerusalem. _Let them repair, &c., wheresoever any breach shall be found_ Either through decay, or by ill accidents; or by the... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the three and twentieth year of Jehoash, the priests had not repaired_, &c. They were both dilatory and careless in collecting the money, 2 Chronicles 24:5; and did not bring in what they had gathered to begin the work, whereupon the king revoked his former order, and intrusted other men, as it... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jehoiada the priest took a chest_ By the king's order, 2 Chronicles 24:8. _And set it beside the altar_ In the court of the priests. Upon comparing the passage in Chronicles, just referred to, with this, it seems probable that it was first placed by the altar, and afterward removed thence to the ga... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king's scribe and the high-priest came up_, &c. The king's secretary and the high-priest emptied the chest, and took an account of the money, and then put it up in bags, which, it is likely, they sealed; and then they set the chest in its place again. This they did every day, as we read 2 Chron... [ Continue Reading ]
_But they gave that to the workmen_ All the money collected was employed to pay the masons, carpenters, and such like workmen, for repairing the temple alone, till the work was finished; and then the overseers gave an account of what money remained in their hands, which was expended in purchasing su... [ Continue Reading ]
_The trespass-money and sin-money_, &c. “Besides the money paid to the priests for trespasses committed in holy things it is thought that persons living at a distance sent money to the priests to purchase trespass- offerings and sin-offerings, and sacrifice them in their names: and, as they commonly... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Hazael went up_ That is, in this king's days, when, Jehoiada being dead, Jehoash revolted from God; of which see 2 Chronicles 24:17. _And fought against Gath_ Once a city of the Philistines, but taken by David, (1 Chronicles 18:1,) and now a part of the kingdom of Judah. _And Hazael set his fa... [ Continue Reading ]
_His servants made a conspiracy, and slew Jehoash_ Of which, see 2 Chronicles 24:25, where we are told that his murdering the prophet, Jehoiada's son, was the provocation. In this, how unrighteous soever they were, yet the Lord was righteous: and this was not the only time that he let even kings kno... [ Continue Reading ]